Like many, I've always carried stress in my upper back/shoulder area so I'm familar with having an achy neck region and big knots along my shoulders. Several weeks ago however after a particularly grueling few days at work, I noticed an unremitting ache along my left trap, Nsaids and heat didn't help. I finally went to a PT who said "No wonder you're miserable, your back is like a brick"; after 2-3 sessions of ultrasound/heat and a tens unit, my range of motion seemed to improve and the 'hard' lumps were beginning to soften a bit. I was told I have "postural issues" and a slightly 'winged scapula" I never suffered from any numbness/tingling to my extremities, but the pain often radiates to right behind my eyeballs. My job as an RN on a busy unit doesn't help with all its accompanying stress, stand up computer work and continual twisting and bending over patient beds. I've religiously done the PT exercises they've given me along with heat application at home. The other day my PT started me on strengthning exercises in the gym portion of the office.....scapula pinches with pulleys, resistance exercises. Nothing really hurt until I went to work that evening. I wound up being in pain all shift....even a simple turn of my head to the left left me in spasms. Today the back of my neck and entire L scapula region is sore. I'm so discouraged. Do you think I did too much too soon? Could my problem be more than muscular, that is bone spurs, a stenosis,....or something else an MRI might show? I'm not looking for problems I just want to get better and show continual improvement so I can function in my job without misery. I had to call in sick today because I was so sore and sleep deprived and was afraid of making the situation even worse. I go back to the PT tomorrow where I'll update her, but in the meantime I'm a wreck wondering if I'm going the correct route. I literally felt better on my iniital visit than I do now. Any suggestions/advice?