Alcohol and back pain

[Dennisk]

I drink alcohol, although not on very many occasions. However, the last few times, I have had back/shoulder pain when drinking. It went from mild shoulder pain to stronger shoulder pain to strong pain up and down my spine. I haven't drank since the pain from last time. I take ibuprofen pretty frequently so I wonder if that could be the cause, although I don't think I had 3 alcoholic drinks the day I had the spine pain.

[borninquisitive]

Years ago, when I drank alcohol-I used to experience a-lot of shoulder pain. As did my sister and mom.

Though ONLY when drinking. I associated it with the effect of alcohol: relaxing my overtense muscles and perhaps too quickly.

[star queen]

In some people alcohol acts like a muscle relaxer.  In others it serves to create muscle contractions that are painful and can last for several days.  Tylenol will not reduce the cramping because it is a pain reliever and does not affect muscles. Drinking more to "relax" or relieve pain in the back will not help, but make things worse. If you are experiencing muscle cramps, you may just need to "give up" alcohol altogether or suffer for the pleasure.  Try drinking low alcohol beverages and see if that helps.  If it doesn't, then go to the "virgin" drinks.  Good luck