Rhomboid problem or not?

[Dancorby]

Pain is in left sided rhomboid which appears swollen as if there was fluid gathered under the muscle. Sports massage relieves tension, however swelling remains then there is a feeling a few days later as if something bursts, swelling disappears all pain gone. Re appears 6-7 weeks later. MRI scan found nothing. All started whenever chiropractor 'cracked' something in my back. Anybody any ideas?

[Heidi]

Have you seen a physiotherapist etc and had any treatment other than massage and chiropractic adjustment? A rehab programme for example?
When did this start? Was it a gradual thing or from a certain injury?

[Dancorby]

Never had any injury in this area. Never had any rehab programme, I am trying to understand what it could possibly be. Would it be anything to do with fluid leaking from the spinal disks or column or am I reading too much on the internet?

[Dancorby]

Sorry forgot to add, I always had pain in my upper back for maybe 30 years due to manual farming, it got worse 4 years ago thus I went to Doctor, physios, paid for MRI scan ( showed nothing unusual) then I visited the chiropractor. 1st visit I felt he did me good, 2nd visit thats when he hurt me, since then this swelling gathers under the rhomboid area and comes away whenever I get sports massage to relief tension on the rhomboids. However it reappears after 6-7 weeks and I have to get massage which is the only thing that helps me. I would swim and walk as my main form of exercise and I don't overuse my back at work. I am puzzled as to what the swelling is, it is as if it is under the muscle, not in the muscle

[Heidi]

How do you know it's fluid? That would be very uncommon and certainly anything about spinal fluid leaking I would imagine is extremely unlikely and would have been detected by MRI.
If it goes after massage therapy, I think it's more likely a muscle spasm, which can appear as a lump in the rhomboid area.
Maybe try a more frequent massage session and also look into the cause of this. Usually postural, so see if you therapist or a fitness instructor can advise you about your posture and possibly give you some exercises to help. (Usually chest and lat stretching and strengthening of scapula stabilisers such as rotator cuff, serratus anterior and lower trapz is effective).