Mid/upper back pain?!

Mid/upper back pain?

Howdy. After being relatively sedentary, I just got my first job, and it has me standing and walking for 7-8 hours a day. I've always had back pain from standing, but at work, the back pain can be very irritating. It's located roughly below the scapula mostly, along that axis. Any ideas? As an aside, I lose a full inch of height from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed on days I am standing a lot. Sometimes a bit more. I know because I've monitored this. I never thought it was normal. I know this isn't a simple loss of morning height because when I'm not standing all day I usually retain that height, and my back feels fine. I had an x-ray a while back and besides minor scoliosis, I was declared fine. Any ideas? Thanks.

1 month ago
Yes, the pain seems to be muscular. It seems to be based on the sides of the spine under the scapula, so, not a spinal thing. I've had lower back pain in the spine before, but not regularly or seriously. I lift weights if that matters. I'll start taking ibuprofens, but is there any reliable way to make this whole issue irrelevent? I'm planning on joining the Marine Corps before the year is up and in my experience backpacking with 70 pound packs, the back pain becomes an issue, and I'd hate to have back pain while training to be a soldier XD Thanks everyone, much appreciated.

The muscles the hold the shoulders back are in a state of constant tension. Because of this sometimes they can spasm. When they do it can be very difficult to get them to relax again. A good chiropractor or massage therapist should be able to pinpoint that spot easily.

To ask someone else to find it have them stand behind you, cross the arm on the side that's bothering you across your body. Right side hurts more, right hand goes to the left shoulder. Use the left hand to pull the right arm in a little closer. If someone runs their fingers along your scapula and just a bit below they'll eventually find the spot. In a natural position this musculature is under the shoulder blades. Holding your arm in this position pulls the scapula out of the way.

Chronic pain management physicians see this kind of pain often. It's fairly common and really uncomfortable. For myself I take ibuprofen and a prescription muscle relaxer when the pain is really intense. If a massage doesn't help, see your doctor.

The height loss: When you sleep or sit, but especially sleep, the discs between your vertebra swell. After you've been up and moving a while the swelling will have decreased. I've never montiored the difference that might make in height, but it's a partial answer, at the least. Makes me curious to try that myself.

Good luck.