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Upper-mid Back Pain Only After Sleeping

For about 6 weeks I have been experiencing mid back pain when I wake up in the morning.  The pain is so bad, I cannot go back to sleep, and NO position change helps.  I must get out of bed and start walking around or sit in a chair for the pain to start going away.  After an hour or two, the pain basically disappears.  The pain seems to be emanating from my spine, and tensing up the back muscles nearest the spine.  

I have been seeing a chiropractor/massage therapist for about 4 weeks now, and it has not helped, because the pain is only after I sleep!

I am 23 years old. I help my dad deliver produce 2 times a week in the morning, and I am also a full time sales associate at Sears selling electronics (which I'm on my feet all day.)  That may cause a little lower back pain, but it goes away when I'm not working.

I have used a contour pillow, slept in all different kinds of positions (back and both sides), I always sleep with a full body pillow, and nothing has seemed to help.

I would appreciate any suggestions, thanks!
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Avatar universal
This product helped with my back pain:

http://www.amazon.com/Spineworx-SW10-Spine-Worx-Realignment-Device/dp/B000F8UBG0
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Avatar universal
Just wanted an update on how you are doing? Are you still having pain or has it subsided? I'm a 42 year old female awaiting my bone scan results.
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Avatar universal
I was having the same back pain which began waking me up between 1-4am on and off for the last year. But within the last week and a half the pain has been coming during the day also. I went to the ER Thursday and they didn't see anything wrong so they just prescribed me some pills and sent me on my way. Since Friday(10-10-11) night it's been non stop so I returned to the ER Sunday morning and they drew my blood again and ended up having to do an ultra sound that's when they found something in my gallbladder so they did and CT can and found I had stones in my gallbladder. SO I recommend EVERYONE go and have their gallbladders and everything else checks out ASAP!!
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Avatar universal
I am a very healthy 27 year old with the same problem as everyone... after 4-5 hours of sleep I am awoke by terrible back pain (just on my right side) that wont subside until I get out of bed and sit up or move around for a while.

I spoke with an orthopedic surgeon who told me that the solution is so simple.  I am sleeping with my arms/hands above my neck which is causing a nerve in my back to be slightly pinched and irritated.  Basically, I often like to sleep with my hands under my pillow and that is the cause of the problem.  It took a little getting used to for a couple of days, but I am now pain free and not tired!  Please pass this simple fix along as I imagine a number of you are suffering for the same reasons I was.
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Avatar universal
My issue is displaced ribs which causes a muscle spasm to occur behind my right shoulder blade and pain and then if it continues I spasm elsewhere and more ribs start to shift and the next thing you know, I'm feeling like I"m being pulled to one side.  I go to my chiropractor to rescue me and set the ribs back in place which stops the spasms.  Sometimes it takes a visit or two to correct.  Upper ribs can also cause you to hurt when you inhale and you feel pain.  I know my xrays and MRIs have been clear except for some mild arthritis, but the rib displacement is from ligament damage after being rear ended years ago and trashing my back and neck.  The neck is doing well thanks goodness but my once strong back got whammied by this and next thing I know ribs are popping/displacing in and out at whim.  It's painful, it's frustrating and limits my physical activities, but I've been dealing with it for quite awhile now.  Just be sure to have your gallbladder checked as that can also cause pain between the shoulder blades and may explain having a "nervous tummy" too.  If that is all clear go to a chiropractor who specfically can say they have treated many patients with "slipped rib" syndrome and can adjust your ribs.  I wouldn't be surprised to find out that the 3 ribs behind your shoulder blade are displaced.  I alternate heat and ice and my doctor presscribed a muscle relaxant but I'm now trying to get off that, as I really am not into meds and that is the only one I take.  It has helped but I want to try alternative therapies and if they don't work then I'll go back to the muscle relaxant because it's better than living with spasms which yank my ribs.  I can no longer sleep on my side as I literally feel it crushing my ribs and hurts too much, so I'm a complete back sleeper now and have the bed I first posted about still...It's an adjustable bed so I can lift up the head a bit and take pressure off the ribs and that helps a lot. I had to add a 2 in topper to the bed though to create less pressure on my rib cage.  Wish I'd just replaced the bed with a new latex bed like I had before but fell for the Beautyrest Black Beauty version because it has a combination of inner spring and latex but it's nothing like my other all Latex bed...but that one failed after 3 years, a fluke I guess, but made me think I shoujld get another style.  Oh well, in another couple of years I'll go back to a purely latex made adjustable bed.  Have your gall bladder checked!  Then the ribs! Good luck!
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Avatar universal
hi there, it's a bit late but I am replying to your question.
I just found this site.  I am another one waking at 4 in the a.m.
with unexplainable pain in my upper back, it's between my
shoulder blades, and sort of right sided.  
Your question:  Does any one have the nervous tummy?
Yes, I've had nervous tummy frequently through out my life.
but this back pain has just been going on for the last 8 months.
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