Upper Back Pain

[WhisperOfDeath]

Hello and thank you for any feedback you can supply me with.
I injured my upper back about a month ago, had some massage therapies last week and the pain/discomfort was significantly decreased but today my pain is much worse. The therapist said that I pulled some muscles and i would feel better every day but now this... I havent stressed out the area since I m sitting or lying in bed almost all day. Is it normal for muscle pain to flactuate during recovery or is the injury worse? Should I do any stretches and how long should they take? Any stenghthening exercises?

[Tuckamore]

Hello and a tardy Welcome to the Pain Management Forum. It's been several days since your post.  I am wondering how your pain level is now.

Massage Therapy can be a good muscle pain reliever but if it has not been effective after four sessions I suggest you consult your PCP.  I would not do any exercises until your pain has been evaluated by your health care provider.

If your pain is keeping you in bed most of the day certainly you need more than just the opinion and treatment than a Massage Therapist can provide. ..... And maybe you have been evaluated by your physician but you didn't provide that information so I am assuming that you weren't. Excuse me if my assumption is in error.

I hope you will let us know how you are doing. I'll look forward to your updates.

Best of Luck and Please Take Care,
~Tuck

[bigsissie]

Sorry it took so long to get back we have been dealing with storms and it caused our internet was in and out. You may have done something in your sleep that caused the muscle to be pulled or just laid wrong. Stretching should help ask your massage therapist what type of stretches would be good for you. I don't think that strengthening exercises would be good just yet however when things are better they will help in the long run of things. I forgot to ask but what did you do to injure your back? Is the pain better now?

Best wishes, Sissie

[WhisperOfDeath]

I totally agree but listen...I did massage therapy on monday, tuesday, wednesday and thursday...I was much better on friday and the pain was almost gone on saturday..Then sunday morning the pain returned as if it was monday...Is that normal?

[bigsissie]

I have had to have massage therapy for muscle damage before and the pain does get worse. It can get bad enough that you will want to quit. You are basically forcing the muscles to go back where they belong and they don't want to, that is why it is very important to not quit. It will get better but give it some time your muscles will not just go back in place. Also I don't know if you were told or not but drink a lot of water before and after the massage. Massages release toxins that build up in muscle tissues and can leave you sick if you don't. Best of luck.