Muscle question for PT's and Dr.'s

[Matt 4-L]

I need a little help identifying a muscle. I have been working hard on rotating my hips at the start of the downswing and have really built up some power and torque and have pulled a muscle in my upper back, it is on the upper right side of my back. It really started hurting about a week ago. I tried to go play golf yesterday and could only play nine holes it really hurt most trying to hit driver and 3 wood. I have been icing it but what I really need to know is how to stretch it out, I have a tournament this coming weekend. Daily activity does not really hurt it; a couple of things that do are taking a really deep breath (not normal breathing) and I cannot sneeze, I almost sneezed the other day but the pain was so bad I couldn’t. I am going to lay off hitting balls this week and work on short game but any advice on how to get this back muscle in shape for this weekend would be great. Thanks, Matt.

 

[curtisj76]

Can you be more specifice on the area? Not a PT/DR but I know my muscles. The upper back/shoulder area can be complex.

 

[BENTONB]

Matt,
Need a little more info on the location of the pain. Upper back is a large area to cover.
Also does it hurt when you turn the upper body to the left, right, or both ways. Is the pain located in 1 specific area or does it move.

 

[Jared Willerson]

FloydPT38 should be able to help you out....send him a PM

 

[Matt 4-L]

It only hurts turning back on the backswing mostly when I start my hip turn it increases the seperation of my hips and shoulder turn (the start of the downswing). I have been looking at muscle diagrams and the pain is somewhere between the spine and shoulder blade but at the bottom of the shoulder blade, somewhere between where the bottom trap and the upper lat are at.

 

[alexlimco]

It only hurts turning back on the backswing mostly when I start my hip turn it increases the seperation of my hips and shoulder turn (the start of the downswing). I have been looking at muscle diagrams and the pain is somewhere between the spine and shoulder blade but at the bottom of the shoulder blade, somewhere between where the bottom trap and the upper lat are at.

Seriously, I think you would find more help at a medical facility rather than at a forum. After all I am known to be golf crazy, but to delay medical attention? No way.... it could shorten the days of your golfing pleasure.

Take some heart that you hurt yourself trying to play the best you can but then the best machinery neeed some repairing some times. Remember, there is always another round out there but there is no replacing your spine.

Regards.

 

[Matt 4-L]

It's just a pulled muscle, I just need to be able to stretch it out and I am having a hard time "finding" the muscle to stretch it. I totally understand your point of view about seeking medical advise on a golf forum but if I went to the hospital everytime I injured myself I would be broke. If I truly thought it was serious I would go but I am 99% sure it is just a pulled muscle and there is no chance I am going to miss this tournament.

 

[FloydPT38]

Hi Matt

Sorry about your injury- sounds like you could have a "rib out" or a strain in the surrounding musculature- top ones I would check from your description

Serratus Posterior inferior,
levator costarum (since it hurts with a big breath),
rhomboids, obliques
intercostals - any shooting pain around the rib would tend to indicate peripheral nerve entrapment in the interocostals
(NOTE: other than obliques and rhomboids there aren't too many good self stretches for the other muscles) - just do a rhomboid stretch- - arm across body - really good if you can get a tennis ball or something in the trigger point/sore area while you stretch.

Those would be the ones that should be checked. I would also stretch my right hip rotators.

You may not need to go to the hospital but to speed things up it would be helpful to see a sports PT or chiropractor ASAP if you have a tournament coming up. They may be able to help you in 1-2 sessions.

In the mean time for an average injury like this I would use heat first on my upper back- stretch my hips, use a tennis ball on your upper back-roll for a self release. Do your rhomboid stretch. If you have a swiss ball or foam roll (2 simple things that every golfer should have) work on improving thoracic mobility---being able to stretch or bend backwards without pain.

Hope this helps
George

 

[adamscot89]

Hey Matt,

I'm no doctor but I have had trouble with what sounds like the same injury.

I have should hyper-mobility that causes problems in that area, but a few trips to the chiropractor and a couple loud pops later it felt better, then you just have to go back for check ups to keep an eye on it.

Hope it feels better,
Adam

 

[Shot Limit]

Right handed golfer,

What about back pain under left shoulder? I feel it on the whole swing. Anyone else feel something similar?

 

[Matt 4-L]

Thanks George I was hoping you would post. I have looked for a PT who works with athletes a while back and the closest one is a little over an hour away (I live in a fairly rural area). If they had evening appointments I would have gotten an appointment but they have bankers hours. I will do the stretches and just take it easy this week and atleast I will have an excuse if I play lousy this weekend.

 

[curtisj76]

Best things to have: medicine ball, foam roller, massage stick, tennis ball.

The medicine ball and massage stick can really get after areas that the foam roller just does "ok". Oh the pain but I love it!!!

 

[BIGBALL]

Best things to have: medicine ball, foam roller, massage stick, tennis ball.

The medicine ball and massage stick can really get after areas that the foam roller just does "ok". Oh the pain but I love it!!!

Yea, I've done some painful stuff like that - last time I actually used a golf ball! My chiropractor thought I was crazy
My wife is a actually a physical therapist, ( unfortunetly she works with older populations, so she isn't as up to date on newer methods as sports therapists ) so when our life isn't too nuts I can get a massage from her. Lately I keep getting this "knot" between my spine and right shoulder blade. This morning it was to the point that it was a little painful too take a deep breath. Any ideas