Adam Rufa - 9/26/2006

Question
Hello,
I have mild scoliosis in my upper back with a small muscle bulge on the left side of my spine just below my neck.  About 2 weeks ago, I was working out and felt a pop under my left shoulder blade while doing an overhead lat pull, but it did not really hurt. Since then, the muscle bulge, the back of my left shoulder and on top and under the left shoulder blade has been sore/sensitive, especially if I sit at a desk typing for a long period of time.  Also I can feel the muscles in that area spasm occasionally, especially after I first get up in the morning.  Any comments or suggestions?


Answer
Robert,

This is a tough one. Something like this can be caused be several things and they are often hard to differentiate. With a history like this I often look towards a rib as the culprit. Sometimes manipulation of the rib can help improve the pain. Usually this type of thing will get better without treatment. If your pain sticks around for more than a few weeks without improving get in to see a musculoskeletal specialist.

Adam

in-homephysicaltherapy.com