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upper back pain between shoulders blade making breathing hard

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Posted 5/6/2015 10:47 AM (GMT 0)
I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia two years ago and am at my wits end. I have problems with the whole of my spine especially the top part which stops me being able to take in a deep breath. I have had MRI scans which hasn't really shown much, I have also been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, this all seems to have happened since I had a total hysterectomy 5 years ago, I can't help think its all hormonal.....anyway has anyone got my upper back problem and how do you cope? I have regular acupuncture which helps a little for a short while but its the not being able to get a breath in that makes me all dizzy. Has anyone tried trigger point injections?
Posted 5/6/2015 3:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Bluebelle, and welcome! I get pain in that area frequently. I see a massage therapist who has been trained to massage Fibro clients. It is a gentle massage...not a deep massage...and this helps me.

I also do trigger point therapy on myself...no shots. I find the trigger points, press on them as firm as I can stand it and then massage them. I repeat this several times, back off for a few hours and then repeat.

I bought The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook on Amazon and this shows where to find the trigger points for the pain you are having. I used this workbook to heal my frozen shoulder.

There also is an exercise that will reach those muscles. Bend at the waist so your torso and head are parallel to the floor. Let you arms hang down loose and also drop your head. Then start swinging your arms in any direction and you will feel the stretching in your shoulders and it does feel good. This is about the only exercise for this group of muscles that I know of.

Be sure to read Fibro 101...the first thread on the forum. There are links to good info about Fibro and you will learn a lot there.

I'm looking forward to getting to know you better. Don't hesitate to ask questions because we are here to help you. Hope to hear more from you soon.

Sherrine
Posted 5/6/2015 6:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Bluebelle:

Welcome.

I do get upper back pain and have Osteoarthritis in a mild stage in my lower back. I used to get down on the floor to do back exercises but I have been doing them on my bed now. There is one exercise that a Physical Therapist taught me. You take your two hands, place them on your cheeks and thumbs under your chin. You will now be able to gently press your upper back into the bed or floor. I am able to do the lower back by pushing it gently into the floor. I also do a few of raising your knees up with your back on the bed or floor. My lower back has gone out on me and it takes a couple weeks to come back. So, far the exercise has helped in some way.

You should ask your Doctor if it would be safe for you to try. It is not good to have breathing problems. I have had a couple times where I had trouble breathing. I was helped by a Respirologist. Do tell your Doctor any new symptoms.

Loring

Osteoarthritis in Multiple Joints, Fibromyalgia, Neuralgia, Chronic Daily Headaches, I.B., Hard of Hearing...
Posted 5/7/2015 12:43 AM (GMT 0)
That can be a pretty common fibro site...maybe try googling , exercises for upper back pain...there s one i do that a physical therapist gave me..but i think i would have issues getting someone to get it with just words...i am sure these are online though..

I go for occasional physical therapy, which always helps, both while i am going and with exercises after i stop going..

Has your dr ever referred you to a therapist.
Posted 5/7/2015 4:01 AM (GMT 0)
I have the Trigger point Workbook but I get overwhelmed with all the words. :-) How can you tell where your trigger points are in your back? I can't reach back there? I have same pain described as being between shoulder blades.
Posted 5/7/2015 10:05 AM (GMT 0)
I do my prescribed stretches and exercises twice a day, every day. For your upper back I would suggest the stretch where you face a corner, feet apart, hands planted on the two walls forward from your shoulders, and do push ups standing in the corner.
Posted 5/7/2015 3:11 PM (GMT 0)
Grammy, there are diagrams that show you where the trigger points are for the pain you are having. There is an index in the back of the workbook that tells you the pages that you will find the info on. I looked up "shoulder" and "frozen shoulder" and saw all the areas where to look for trigger points. I massaged these areas.

When the trigger points are in my back, I use a tennis ball against a wall to press against the trigger point and then I move slowly to simulate massaging. Maybe your hubby would help you, too.

Sherrine
Posted 5/7/2015 7:14 PM (GMT 0)
bluebelle,
I just finished trigger point injections last Tuesday. I get them in my neck, shoulders & upper back. The one's I get are a series of 3 (1x week for 3 wks) and have them approximately twice per year. If I could, I'd get them every week because of the relief that I get. But, one of the medicine's is a steroid and they are harmful to body organs if used too often so Dr. says he'll only do twice a year.
The down side, it's a needle - smhair and relief only lasts 4-6 weeks. mad
Posted 5/7/2015 9:30 PM (GMT 0)
This is a perfect problem for what I call the 'Bear-Tree Self Massage' place your back against the wall and lower yourself so you're thighs are diagonal to the floor (almost sitting). Pop a tennis ball or other soft ball above your painful area, and gently move your body up/down/around, using the tennis ball as the masseur. If I have a bad one, I'll use a heating pad on the area for twenty minutes first and then message for five. Repeat a couple of times.
Posted 5/9/2015 5:10 PM (GMT 0)
Oooh!! I never thought about using a heating pad before the tennis ball! Went to a massage therapist couple yrs ago as a b-day gift. She suggested the tennis ball for the massive knots along my shoulder blade. Gonna have to try the pad 1st now. Thanks Anna!!!
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