Rhomboid muscles in upper back connect the inner edges of the shoulder blades to the spine. (REWRITE) Overuse of shoulder and arm during overhead activities - tennis, reaching overhead, rowing, carrying a heavy back pack, using a computer for extended periods the upper back supports a greate amount of weight while we walk, run, sti or stand but the muscles are relatively small
How It Happens
Signs and Symptoms
chronic - overuse, posture, poor body mechanics or acute - sports injury, accident severe hard to tell difference between strain and sprain differentiate from nerve impingement location - upper back only; if it radiates through the shoulders up the neck or down the arms, a nerve may be pinched or you may have a herniated disc pain between shoulder blades and spine spasms - knot, tightness when you breather or move your shoulders 1st degree - muscle fiber within the muscle is partially torn, uncomforatable but doesn't restrict movement 2nd degree - 1 or more msucles is partially torn, restricts normal movement, sometimes spasms 3rd degree - entire muscle is completely torn, maybe more than one; swollen and discolored, muscle spasms may be present
Treatment
Lie down on an ice pack or frozen vegetables wrapped in a cloth for 20 minutes at a time every 3 to 4 hours. (rewrite) Most heat unless you have swelling - for muscle spasms- up to 20 minutes at a time anti-inflammatories no more than 10 days massage - lie on tennis ball and roll, foam roller or self massage tool MD may prescribe PT avoid using same muscles while healing a few weeks to 6 weeks - resume normal activities
Prevention
warm up, take frequent breaks while working on computer