Tight back and neck - radiating pain / tightness

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Hello,

I posted a while ago about my shoulder issue. But progress has stopped, and the physio I had been seeing has not really helped. Sports massage therapist and chiropractor help.

My rhomboids are tight, and I have a few knots in my right side (which I can feel with my other hand) which are stubborn. I have had 5 massages now, along with doing stretches and foam roller work. The area releases, but soon tightens back up. When this happens, my right shoulder becomes a bit tight. My neck and other parts of my upper back are often tight too. Niggly / weird feeling (nerves im guessing) at front of shoulder, upper arm and hand at times.
I changed my pillow on Monday to a shaped memory foam one. I still think its too early to tell if its helped, but I have been sleeping slightly better.

Chiropractor said cervical and thoracic spine are a bit tight, along with the muscles. My posture in the day is reasonably good.

I went to doctors last week to get referred, but the letter still hasnt arrived.

I cant seem to break the cycle of tightness. Its been going on 2months now with not much improvement (albeit there has been some). Starts to mess with your head a bit. Very tired, not sleeping that well (wake up feeling like I havent slept sometimes), and the tightness is almost always there.

What I wanted to ask, is whether pelvic alignment will have an affect on thoracic and cervical spine over time?
As About 2 weeks ago I got my inner soles to raise my left leg up, and stop my right foot over pronating - so my pelvis had anterior tilt, torque and height different (3-6mm).
Wondering whether this might be why my back is tight, as my body is probably still getting use to the new position?

Thanks in advance

[Heidi]

Hi,

Yes problems in the lower back and pelvis can translate up to the upper back and neck. The best way to think about it is that it is all one chain, so a problem low down causes changes higher up as the body tries to compensate.

I would advise you to give it a bit more time to see if the insoles and the new pillow help. Insoles especially can mess things up for a while but stick to it as your body has to get used to now being in the correct position.

Imagine how long has been that your back has been in the incorrect position, it can't just correct itself overnight!

Good luck!

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Hello,

Thank you for the reply. I will of course stick with the inner soles, I am still adjusting to them, but have seen some improvement in my legs and lower back.

I had a steriod injection for my shoulder yesterday (feels worse at the moment, hoping it kicks in soon). Just have to rest then do rehab exercises in a few weeks. My RC muscles arent causing me any problems (from the movement / resistance tests done). So I think it may be due to scapular stability / imbalance.

Do you know of any sports rehabilitors in the South East (middle / west Kent)? I have a feeling I will be told again, not to lift weights, and feel I need someone more in tune with sports rehab.

Thanks again

[Heidi]

Hi

A quick google search reveals a lady called Gemma viney in Tonbridge. My geography is not good enough to know where in kent that is! Sorry!

Another option is to try contacting Kent uni at the medway campus because they run a sports rehba course and may know of a graduate locally.

Good luck!

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Thank you. I did not know of that clinic. Its only about 20minutes away from me, so I will keep it in mind.

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I had to take today off, my upper arm / shoulder felt quite bad. Managed to see my specialist today (he had a cancelation).

Have to say, its the weirdest feelings I've ever had!

Squishing sound in shoulder last few days
My right hand is a bit puffy and pale
The odd occassion a flare of warmth / redness, which dissappears
Lots of tingles and pulse like feelings on neck (traps), shoulder, chest and all of arm
'cool' feeling across shoulder and chest
Back and neck feel tight, as per usual

I've had some of those problems almost since inital injury. But last night and today where a whole new level.

Could someone tell me what the squishing noise might be?

Im guessing the others are down to nerve based responses.
I thought my bicep tendon had torn, espcially considering the squishing sound.

The specialist is seeing me again next week, if things havent improved then into will be a case of scans (MRI) and maybe an EMG is appropriate. If things get worse, I should go to A&E he said.