Do muscle spasms really hurt this bad?

[Jenny Wren]

I have been having upper back pain for about 2 months now. One month ago I had horrible pain and went to an urgent care facility. They diagnosed me with chest and back spasms. They did a chest x Ray and everything was normal. My pain is brought on by certain movements. They occur while driving or riding in a vehicle, laying on a pillow with my head tilted, and certain arm movements. The pain lasts about 30 seconds to a minute and is helped by pushing my shoulders back and taking a deep breath. I don't feel any knots when I get these and there is no muscle soreness before or after the pain. The pain is more of a nerve pain that is felt clear through into the chest, right around the bra line. It also radiates beneath my right breast. Could this really be spasms? This thing really got worse after stretching painting my walls. Help!!!

[Jenny Wren]

Thank you Dr. It seems the pain is becoming less painful. Still there but when I do get the pain it isn't as intense. You say a pinched nerve. Can you have a pinched nerve without a disk problem? Meaning, can you pinch a nerve just from poor posture, like a muscle entraping a nerve? Thanks again.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
I am sorry to hear about your medical problems. In all probability this is due to pinched nerve in back caused by wrong posture. It can also be due to muscle strain.
Use a good computer chair with ample back and wrist support. Improve your posture. Do neck exercises everyday twice a day. Use a local pain relief gel/cream/spray on your upper back and neck. Ask someone to gently massage your upper back and neck.
Use a hard bed to sleep. Avoid a pillow. Roll a towel and place it under your neck while sleeping on the back and between head and shoulder when lying on the side. Initially this will be uncomfortable but with time the acupressure usually works.
Manual therapy, traction, cervical collar, neck exercises etc should all be tried as all these can help relieve pain.
Please discuss with your doctor. Take care!

The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.

[Jenny Wren]

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