Deep upper back pain during heavy work

[hyakuhei]

Hey all,

I have had this issue for a while now and I'm pretty much stumped.

<edit>
I should point out that I am just getting back into training after being a lazy shit for two years. But I had this problem when I was training years ago and it has manifested again my recent training
</edit>

When undergoing upper body work I get a deep pain in my back. This is most noticable recently with bench press. As I come down to my chest and start to push up I get a real pin point, hot pain in my back. To put a location to it, I would say between the inward point of my shoulder blade and my mid traps. I guess that would put me in subscapularis/rhomboid territory.

I also get this pain during other excercises that shouldn't be antagonising my back, should press for example...

I'm not sure where to go with this. If any of you guys have any ideas or experience with this that would be great.

Cheers
-Rob

 

[dennis]

Does not sound like you ever had this diagnosed by your doc...I would start there.

 

[hyakuhei]

Thats a valid point, I mentioned it to the doctor when I was there last, he gave me a quick prod and basically just said not to do any exercises that cause this to happen...

Ok, sound advice on the face of it but, That cuts out a lot of exercises for me....

It seems that the doctors here are not partiuclarly interested in sports related "self inflicted" injuries.

I have been thinking about it alot and I think that I may be "Over Tensing" the muscle if that is possible? The problem usually comes up on my last few reps on my heavyest set,, often I cant help but go rigid as I try very hard to finish my rep. Maybe thats what is causing it....

 

[van-man]

If you are struggling that hard to finish a rep, you might be trying too hard and using bad form. If you still want to self diagnose I would suggest dropping the weight down, concentrate on proper form, and note any changes.

 

[Thickneck]

When doing chest I always pinch my shoulder blades together and keep them that way though out, It causes your pecs to stretch more and to do most of the work. Make sure your centered. Go see a chriropractor or maybe you have a knot their. Just thoughts.

 

[hyakuhei]

Thanks both,

van-man: I see what your saying, but it happens on a number of exercises and my form is good. Whenever I have problems like this I get a spot to watch me and im happy with the form. Can see where your coming from though, thanks for the reply.

Thickneck: Interesting, I have not come across that before, I will give it a spin tomorrow

 

[role model]

I had a buddy of mine with the same problem and same pain in his upper right back area. It got to the point where his right arm and pec were atrophying. He was actually losing strength on that whole side week after week. He was diagnosed with a pinched nerve by a regular Dr. and put on muscle relaxers . No help from that at all , I told him he needed to go to a chiropractor and I have no idea if he ever went because he quit comming to the gym completely. I know a good chiropractor can work wonders compaired to a regular Dr. with pinched nerves. I occasionaly have problems with my ciatic nerve running down from my lower back to my toes. He has fixed me up every time in as little as 3 visits.

 

[hyakuhei]

Hey Thickneck, your solution worked like a charm! Pulling my shoulderblades in tight not only stoped the pain in my back but also allowed me to get a really good stretch

role_model: Thanks for the advice dude, if this problem comes back I will look into it more

 

[Thickneck]

Awesome glad it helped.It also makes you feel really grounded. Now squeeze the bar as hard as you can and press away. Got that from Andy fiedler.810 bench at 269 bw.