Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Dr-- 1. I Seemed To Have Injured By Upper Back
Posted on
Sun, 31 Mar 2019
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sun, 31 Mar 2019
Answered on
Last reviewed on
Question : Dr--
1. I seemed to have injured by upper back - near the shoulder blade
2. It us extremely plainful - especially certain positions, movements & lying down to sleep
3. Do you have any suggestions?
1. I seemed to have injured by upper back - near the shoulder blade
2. It us extremely plainful - especially certain positions, movements & lying down to sleep
3. Do you have any suggestions?
Brief Answer:
Can be a muscle sprain or tear.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The pain in the upper back that is extreme in certain positions can be due to a muscle sprain or tear. This needs a complete rest for healing. Doing a hot compress and taking mild anti inflammatory pain killers can also help. In case the pain is persistent then do get oral muscle relaxants prescribed by your physician after an examination.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
Can be a muscle sprain or tear.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The pain in the upper back that is extreme in certain positions can be due to a muscle sprain or tear. This needs a complete rest for healing. Doing a hot compress and taking mild anti inflammatory pain killers can also help. In case the pain is persistent then do get oral muscle relaxants prescribed by your physician after an examination.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr - thank you..
1. The pain seems most pronounced while lying down
2. How long does something like this take to heal general speaking?
3. It's making it very hard for me to sleep at night
4. Would Tylenol be a good idea?
Thank you.
1. The pain seems most pronounced while lying down
2. How long does something like this take to heal general speaking?
3. It's making it very hard for me to sleep at night
4. Would Tylenol be a good idea?
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Details below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
Usually such a muscle injury takes 2-3 weeks to heal completely. Yes you can start with Tylenol for relief.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Details below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
Usually such a muscle injury takes 2-3 weeks to heal completely. Yes you can start with Tylenol for relief.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
1. Dr. what do you mean when you say “complete rest” - do you mean no movement whatsoever - or just not lifting something heavy with my left arm - the side where the pain is most intense?
2. Last night the pain was not so bad - but tonight the pain seemed more intense - is it common for something like this to have more pain on some days & less pain on other days?
Thanks
2. Last night the pain was not so bad - but tonight the pain seemed more intense - is it common for something like this to have more pain on some days & less pain on other days?
Thanks
Brief Answer:
Details below.
Detailed Answer:
Rest means- avoid all painful activities and do not lift any heavy things with the affected arm or sleep on left side.
The pain intensity may vary according to the daily routine. Avoid any exercise. Oral muscle relaxant and application of local analgesic gel will help.
Regards.
Details below.
Detailed Answer:
Rest means- avoid all painful activities and do not lift any heavy things with the affected arm or sleep on left side.
The pain intensity may vary according to the daily routine. Avoid any exercise. Oral muscle relaxant and application of local analgesic gel will help.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr -
1. After further analysis I think this problem in my back/shoulder blade is possibly related to my (small) cervical disc protrusions at C5-C6 and C6-C7
2. I had an MRI done in 2015
2. The pain is most pronounced & severe when I lie down on either side but especially on the left side.
3. The pain is quite severe when I lie down to sleep. Do you have any other suggestions based upon this new information?
4. I will try upload my MRI for your review.
Thanks.
1. After further analysis I think this problem in my back/shoulder blade is possibly related to my (small) cervical disc protrusions at C5-C6 and C6-C7
2. I had an MRI done in 2015
2. The pain is most pronounced & severe when I lie down on either side but especially on the left side.
3. The pain is quite severe when I lie down to sleep. Do you have any other suggestions based upon this new information?
4. I will try upload my MRI for your review.
Thanks.
Also Dr.
1. I forgot to mention earlier - the pain radiates into my left arm and the left side of my chest On some occasions - especially at night when I’m laying down - thank you
1. I forgot to mention earlier - the pain radiates into my left arm and the left side of my chest On some occasions - especially at night when I’m laying down - thank you
Brief Answer:
Oral muscle relaxants can help.
Detailed Answer:
Pain radiating to left side of chest an arm can be related to disc protrusion at cervical spine. Oral muscle relaxants and avoiding using a pillow will help. You can also learn a few physiotherapy exercises to maintain the tone of neck muscles. A recent MRI scan will help in assessing any further progression of the problem.
Regards.
Oral muscle relaxants can help.
Detailed Answer:
Pain radiating to left side of chest an arm can be related to disc protrusion at cervical spine. Oral muscle relaxants and avoiding using a pillow will help. You can also learn a few physiotherapy exercises to maintain the tone of neck muscles. A recent MRI scan will help in assessing any further progression of the problem.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Dr -
1. I treated with my doctor today who says it is probably a muscle spasm in my back
2. He gave me muscle relaxants but I am afraid to take them because I have mild sleep apnea (& I don't use any device such as CPAP). I'm concerned that they will increase my apnea
3. Instead he gave me a steroid injection, I'm going to take Tylenol & some physical therapy. The only problem is that it's very hard to fall asleep due to the pain.
4. Do you think this is a good course of action?
Thanks
1. I treated with my doctor today who says it is probably a muscle spasm in my back
2. He gave me muscle relaxants but I am afraid to take them because I have mild sleep apnea (& I don't use any device such as CPAP). I'm concerned that they will increase my apnea
3. Instead he gave me a steroid injection, I'm going to take Tylenol & some physical therapy. The only problem is that it's very hard to fall asleep due to the pain.
4. Do you think this is a good course of action?
Thanks
Brief Answer:
Only tylenol will not help.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
The oral muscle relaxants that are given are skeletal muscle relaxants and usually do not affect respiratory muscles. These are not likely to aggravate the sleep apnoea.
To tackle the pain only Tylenol is not sufficient. You can do a hot compress and apply a local analgesic gel in the area for relief. You can also take the oral muscle relaxant in the morning so as not to have any effect during the sleep time.
Regards.
Only tylenol will not help.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
The oral muscle relaxants that are given are skeletal muscle relaxants and usually do not affect respiratory muscles. These are not likely to aggravate the sleep apnoea.
To tackle the pain only Tylenol is not sufficient. You can do a hot compress and apply a local analgesic gel in the area for relief. You can also take the oral muscle relaxant in the morning so as not to have any effect during the sleep time.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
