Buring/Pain in the upper Back - Trapeziod Muscle

[casunshine530]

HI,
I've had back problems all my life, and I'm only 29 yrs old. The main being scoliosis, however that hasn't bothered me as much over time, and i've learned to deal with it when it does hurt. In 05 I was in a minor car accident, that accident alone gave me some bad whiplash, but I did 4 mths of physical therapy and had no problems after that.

Now, in Nov of 07 I started getting some really bad pain and burning in my traps....it got so bad I couldn't bear it. I did an MRI and they found nothing, they gave me meds and of course I'm one of those people who dont like to take anything unless needed and so I took a bit of them. They tried to say it was shingles until they realized...oops not that. After all that I saw my chiropractor for a few weeks twice a week, he did some things that helped out......espiecially the ultrasonic machine that would just rub the area.

Well, now its back and the same thing all over again, and its started right around the same time last year. This time I decided not to go to my regular Dr. because I dont have time and money to waste to not get the answer i need. I saw my chiroprator last week and it hasn't helped yet. This burning and pain is so bad, its hard for me to work, and I have a desk job. When i'm home I cant lift or keep my arms elevated because the muscle hurts and burns horribly. I was at the grocery store and couldn't stand there holding a carton of eggs because withhin the 3 minutes it felt like it flared up. Aleve does not do anything for me with the pain, yesturday the burning started at 9am and didn't stop until 7pm.

I've heard this can be related to stress but I really haven't had anyone tell me what it is. Can someone give me some insight on it or any information what may cause this? Right now its very hard to work, and do my regular activities as I'm limited.

Thanks so much!!

[SarikaKisSzentem]

Have you found any answers to your problem?  I, too, am having the same problem in the trap area between my neck and shoulders.  Hard to lift arms up.  On rising from a seated position if I use my arms to elevate its terribly painful.  Moist hot heat (shower e.g.) helps but for a short while.  Worst in the am and if not active.

[lindyd123]

If I were you, I would see a neurologist, or orthopedic SPINE specialist. Burning pain usually means nerve pain also called neuropathy. (from a nerve) . I am not a dr adn cannot give medical advise- but if I were you -I would see a specialist. If it is a CERVICAL herniated disk or radiculopathy- you must have a MRI to get it diagnosed. But I would insist on doing the thoracic spine area too. It can mimic cervical spinal problems. Good Luck, and let us hear from you- tell us how you are doing...

[hados85]

Hey all,

I have similar upper body problems.  I know i have scoliosis, and for one year i could barely turn my head to the right and had arm raising problems and a frozen shoulder.  I alleviated about 80% of my problems by sleeping without a pillow and maintaining good body posture as often as I can be aware of.  For sleeping, I use only a rolled up towel to support my neck.  It might take some time to feel comfortable, but it makes logical sense that you should maintain good posture when you sleep.  

I've noticed that doing chest workouts instantly push my upper thoracic vertebrae into place.  For a while, I figured that there are complementary exercises for each kind of spinal misalignment, but i'm not sure anymore since I can't seem to push my collar bone into place.

Does your clavicle/collar bone protrude like two bulbs at the base of your throat?  That's the major misaligment I'm trying to fix.  It seems that when the clavicle is pulled forward, it then makes the shoulder pull and round forward, and then a cramp runs down underneath the scapula/shoulder blade.  As for me, my back is well developed for pullovers due to 15 years of swimming, but my rhomboids look visibly weak or spread apart.  I've tried to strengthen the rhomboids and the other underdeveloped areas of my back, but it just ends up straining my back even more...so this is a study in progress for me.....

[pikeyness]

A related discussion, loss of sensation up spine was started.