Question
Hello,

I am a 31 year old male and have been suffering from chronic upper back and shoulder pain for about 3 years now.  An MRI showed a rotator cuff tear.  I had rotator cuff surgery about 2 years ago but was still having upper back pain after that.  I then went through 2 rounds of physical therapy.  I tried accupunture (about 8 visits), massage therapy, chiropractic treatment, cortizone shots, 2 more MRIs, a CT scan, many medications including tizanidine, celebrex, naproxen, ibuprofen, and tramadol.  None of these helped by the way.  

After seeing a second orthopedic dr, he referred me to a spine specialists that did an NCV/EMG test.  Based on that test, he diagnosed me with long thoracic nerve palsy.  From there, the orthopedic dr recommended a procedure known as split pectoralis major tendon transfer.  I was reluctant to have this done, but after months of pain and no answers I went under the knife.  5 months later the pain in my shoulder is better.  However, the pain in my back between my shoulder blade and spine is still there.  

I am now taking cymbalta as the doctors have said "they are at a loss" and are telling me that there is nothing more that they can do and that I need to learn to deal with the pain.  This really stinks.  The only reason that they are saying this is because whatever is causing the pain is not showing up on an MRI, X-Ray, etc therefore they don't know how to treat it.  I am tired of going from doctor to doctor for the last 3 years to not have an answer as to what it is and all the while living in constant pain.  

The pain is between my right shoulder blade and my spine.  It feels like constant pressure being applied from the back and front.  The pain never goes away.  I can move in certain ways (leaning back and to the right or "bowing" out chest) and feel a pop as if a rib is popping in and out or something.  I can't get comfortable no matter what I am doing, sitting, sleeping, etc.  The pain is constant and very irritating.  The physical therapist and chiropractor think that I have a sublaxeted rib, which makes sense based on what I have read.  I have also read a lot about TOC and it sounds like a possibility.  I figured that I would give this website a shot as I have tried everything to this point.  Any help that you can provide would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

Answer
Josh,
  You never said which shoulder (rot. Cuff ) you had surgically repaired. If it's the right side then you obviously have a lot of scar tissue.
If you have not tried cold laser in conjunction with chiropractic I would recommend that.
Where are you located? Maybe I can suggest someone.