Help with upper back pain before I lose my mind!

[SinkGirl]

I’ve had a bad back since my twins were born two years - I was pumping 12x a day for 7 months and it absolutely wrecked my back. I’ve had upper back pain (across shoulders and lower) plus a big wide section with reduced sensation to the skin. Saw my doctor 18 months ago, had physio but it made no difference - figured it would improve when I stopped pumping.

It’s always painful but I have good and bad days. This weekend I had to do a lot of work on my laptop - the seat was too low for the table where I was working as now my back is utterly screwed. In so much pain I’ve been in tears this afternoon, it’s unbearable even with strong painkillers (which I’m on for something else).

I know my posture is shagged because of the pain, but I can barely straighten my back any more. I have no idea what to do. Can’t pick my toddlers up, which is a problem.

Just been leaning against a vertical radiator which helped somewhat but as soon as I stopped the pain is back with a vengeance. Shooting pains down my back and arms, even breathing deeply hurts.

Does anyone have any wondrous exercises / stretches I can do? It’s from the the bottom of my bra strap up to my shoulders on both sides.

Agree that osteopath or sports massage is the way forward. I had this exactly, caused by mild scoliosis and hypermobility compounded by long hours at a desk. Basically my back muscles were FULL of knots, absolutely stiff with them. Physios would recommend back strengthening exercises which are pointless when the muscles are knotted like that.

This book is also amazing - www.amazon.co.uk/Trigger-Point-Therapy-Workbook-Self-Treatment/dp/1608824942/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ref=plSrch&keywords=trigger+point&dpPl=1&dpID=51KqrB4Z9zL&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1541456739&sr=8-3.

Saved me a fortune in repeat sports massages and taught me a lot about my body.

What does an osteopath do that a chiro doesn't? I'm currently seeing a chiro but a few sessions in and feel no different yet. Trying to stay open minded but I'm pretty sceptical to be honest! I've also got mild scoliosis and a desk job alizarincrimson - what would you say has helped most?

I have very occasional sports massage, but never feel any better or looser after, so haven't made it a regular thing. Chiro is currently just doing adjustments, but I don't really see how this will stop all the back muscles overworking?

Another vote for osteopath. I have seen both an osteopath and chiropractor. Personally, I prefer the osteopath, but while they rely on the feel of the spine, some chiropractors (the one I saw did, but not sure if it's common across all of them) will do an x-ray to help identify problem areas. It is a matter of personal choice though.

Thanks everyone. I looked up upper crosses syndrome and yes that sounds about right. I never did manage to find a position to pump in where you don’t need to hunch slightly

Now I think about it, although the muscles in my back feel tight I think the pain is actually them stretching so much that they feel like they’re going to snap.

I’m not pumping or breastfeeding any more but have just found out my oestrogen levels are really low so I’m not sure whether there’s actually an issue with my bones - have an appointment with my gp next week to talk to them about it.

I think you should be pushing for a ct to diagnose the problem

All the suggestions of physio and osteo are fine but you don’t actually know what the condition is

The patch of numb skin is suggestive of a bulging disk, the pain down the arms could be thoracic inlet syndrome, and there are 101 other things that could be causing this combination of symptoms

I would be adamant with gp that you have tried physio, you have tried pain relief and are still in an unsustainable amount of pain. It’s time for further investigation

Hope you get it sorted. Back pain is hell

Thoracic outlet-need more coffee

i just had spinal nerve denervation and the sweet relief after years of pain! Ask to be referred to your local pain clinic as they will assess and see if you are suitable. Quick and esy procedure.

www.osteopathy.org.uk/register-search/ Find a local osteopath. Physios are good for exercises but they don't perform manipulation. Find one who qualified from the British School of Osteopathy.

Thanks all, you are right - I definitely need to ask for more from the doctor. I definitely need a bone density scan (for the last couple of years they’ve been saying I have fibromyalgia because I have pain in various places but it doesn’t fit as far as I’m concerned, and the low oestrogen level could be osteopoenia or worse. I went to them earlier in the year because it felt like the bones in my right foot were broken - they sent me for physio, she found there was some scar tissue and broke it down and things did improve but only for about a day despite maintaining the stretches. That pain is much better now and I’m now wondering if I did have some kind of stress fracture.

I’m seeing them next week so going to see how I get on today with trying to rest it - if there’s still no improvement I’ll have to go sooner. It’s a good job I have decent pain relief at home (for endometriosis) or it would be even more difficult, but the fact it’s this bad despite already being on opiates is clearly not good.

Unfortunately the pain clinic here has been completely closed for referrals for over a year.