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Pain on upper chest and mid back

Posted by soccer1477 @soccer1477, Aug 19, 2023

A year ago my chest and upper back cramped up after doing lots of push-up. After a year no matter what I do I get pain on my upper chest both sides I believe is the pectoralis minus, rádiets to under armpits then upper back teres mayor and also to my mid back around T5 or T4
Have had several MRIs and doctors says that even though I have herniated and bulge disc on my thoracic they should not generate this kind of pain to keep taking pain medication
have anyone seeing or heard of similar symptoms and if so what can it be or where should I for for help I have seeing neuros and currently seeing an orthopedic dr but I also have other issues and my ortho is focusing on my lumbar issues
Thanks

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soccer1477 | @soccer1477 | Sep 2, 2023
In reply to @tkdesign "I have this situation in my upper back. It spasms so tightly, but MRI showed nothing..." + (show)
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I have this situation in my upper back. It spasms so tightly, but MRI showed nothing out of place there despite severe pain. I do have tarlov cysts in my sacral spine, but that shouldn't cause pain up that high. I am thinking that there is some myofacial disorder...connective tissue issues. My tissues contract so tightly it affects my heartbeat at times, makes me dizzy. Seek out a massage therapist skilled in myofascial release...this is very different than a typical massage for relaxation. There are also some unique therapists that do muscle and tissue release called Ortho Bionomy. There's a website to find therapists into this. There are also therapists out of the Barrel Institute https://www.barralinstitute.com that can help if this sort of tissue release. https://www.ortho-bionomy.org

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Thank you so much @tkdesign

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debrajonk | @debrajonk | Sep 10 10:17am

I have had Thoracic pain in my upper back, sides, and sometimes chest following a Via Disc on 3-4 over 3 months ago and an Itracept procedure on 4-5 over 2 months ago. I have NEVER experienced this in the past. I also have Fibromyalgia, CFS, Osteoporosis-Arthritis, Chronic Stress and Depression, and have had a cervical fusion of 3-7, a knee replacement, breast reduction, and replacement arthroplasty on both shoulders since 2021. None of these ever caused Thoracic pain before. Im scheduled for another Via Disc on 4-5, but am concerned as the thoracic pain has continued intermittently. Certain situations seem to cause a flare up. I am using heat, ice, muscle relaxers, Tylenol. Motrin, Gabapentin, and even an occasional Hydrocodone. I am 70 years old, 5'6, 145 lbs. I eat well, and exercise regularly. When I use my upper body to swim or even other non- vigorous activities, it gets worse. My surgeries have all been at Mayo, but another Physician in St Augustine is performing these recent procedures. Any ideas are welcome!

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debrajonk | @debrajonk | Sep 10 12:41pm

Just curious if you have ever been diagnosed with fibromyalgia? Do high stress or upper body exercise make it worse?

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debrajonk | @debrajonk | Sep 11 10:13am
In reply to @gently "aladow, your caution is well taken. Though chiropractors are not MDs, I respect their profession. What..." + (show)
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aladow, your caution is well taken. Though chiropractors are not MDs, I respect their profession. What really advantages us is the assessment. Chiropractors have a niche of understanding of whole body mechanics, which can be missing in the division of specialities. An examination by a chiropractor can't make anything better or worse. It may give better understanding of a condition.

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I also advise against Chiropractic for some issues. The assessments are always extremely similar. Misalignment is always the problem and they can fix it. It will take several months and initially 3 times a week. After heat therapy, they use the "Jackhammer". Then finally, the chiropractor, who is NOT an MD, twists, jerks, and pulls different areas of your hips, neck, and spinal area. This has been my experience over the many years when I have conceded to trying this method. Every time, I experienced more pain or what they had diagnosed, wasn't the problem! If it is serious, they can really mess you up!

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gently | @gently | Sep 11 11:07am

debrajonk, I regret your experience. Mine is quite different. I see several chiropractors regularly and am rewarded with immediate relief. It is reassuring that they all have a similar assessment. I trust that their touch tells them which muscles are tense and which joints can be realigned to make me feel good. I've never had a chiropractor try to schedule me for a certain number of appointments, nor has anyone of them promised anything. I prefer the manual adjustments, but can see why some prefer the jackhammer. They often advise helpful exercises. I usually forego the tens or the massage. I love chiropractics.

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