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Pulled Muscle In My Back

Rancor418

Rancor418

MuscleHead
Aug 8, 2011
310
17
Thanks again for the tips. I'm trying to find someone that can do a single chiropractic adjustment. So far the ones I have looked into want a min of like 5 visits.

I'm feeling much better today and did some light incline bench presses on the smith machine that way if it started to hurt I could lock it and not have to force a full rep. No problems though and I did 6 sets 15 reps with 90lb. Also did 5 sets of 10 reps close grips. No pain but still a little tender so I will just take it slow.
 
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L

LDH

MuscleHead
Dec 12, 2011
267
19
I tore my serratus on the left side last summer as well as impinging a nerve on that side

I couldn't even bench 135lb as the pain & the impinged nerve made it impossible.

The remedy for me was contrast bathing (ice for 10 mins, heat for 10 mins & repeat x 3 couple of times per day) anti-inflamms like Difene, rest & a couple of Physical Therapy sessions.

I wouldn't go near a GP as most of them are just Expensive referrers.
And, in this case, I wouldn't go to a chiro as they generally deal with the skeletal system & not the muscular one.
 
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ketsugo

ketsugo

MuscleHead
Sep 10, 2011
2,652
486
So you don't want to see a doc, but think a forum will provide the answers you seek? You really need to think about that. A chiropractor is nothing like half the people say here . I have had multiple levels of back issues for years, in 95 had my lumbar reconstructed - I was do inspired I eventually worked part time at New England Spine institute just to have access to equipment and info. I myself after seeing over 47 chiropractors know that it's rare if ever they fix anything - temporary mask . You need a proper diagnosis because the Back and spine are the most complicated area in the body - most people continue with pain off and on because they listen to others that don't know more than they do .whomever says they have a better working knowledge than most docs are misinformed , you may get relief , and then when you have to continue I won't say I told you so. That's 40 years of jujutsu and judo throws on my back and 27 years of weights - you may get relief but the cause may not be found. - duh some one blurts pcp don't understand, no when we seek treatment you need to know the process and standards that are required - you may need an MRI , if it were me, I'd see a specialist orthopedic / sports medicine - for diagnosis - you only get one shot at fixing your body . Many offices have an mdt approach where after proper testing , the team comprised of md, pt and maybe dc to decide a course of treatment . You must have insurance it's a law now pretty much. If you dream of staying active and fit you will need to hit the docs office many times. People that say, docs know shit? The are misinformed. Take the initiative and YOU find the best. When i had spine reconstruction - i refused to have anyone but me investigate and i found who was considered the top three on the planet by multiple authorities, back then there was no luxury of the internet, therefore you have an easy task. Heres where you begin- where you live research any professional athletes with similiar injuries- these people life depends on body performance- Start there- There is no easy or magic path, no one here will provide that. Yeah you got so and so who is incredible bodybuilder and can teach you alot , but even joe expert can't see you in person . Then ya got going ho joe two year board fiend just lives to post, maybe know and continues to learn but doesnt realize they don't know as much as they say, being out posting becomes a whole other issue. I like the post above, decent advice - hopefully you started with rest and ice, AJ has stated similar if you need to look to a well known expert throughout this community - he gave you some food for thought ! Good luck it's your body - peace out!
 
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HisAngriness

HisAngriness

Fancypants VIP
Mar 23, 2011
2,193
604
AJ, i would like to hear more about this serratus you speak of. i have a similar pain in almost the exact area you have described along the rib cage to the left of my spine. it hit me while doing a warmup set of deads yesterday and i was unable to finish the set.
its not a crippling pain, but more like an ache. however, if i stretch my arms out straight as you described, thats when it is most tender or when trying to turn and stretch. based on my past experience with back/muscle pain and spasms i just assumed it was a minor strain, possibly a muscle spasm but i am eager to learn more...
 
Rancor418

Rancor418

MuscleHead
Aug 8, 2011
310
17
So you don't want to see a doc, but think a forum will provide the answers you seek? You really need to think about that. A chiropractor is nothing like half the people say here . I have had multiple levels of back issues for years, in 95 had my lumbar reconstructed - I was do inspired I eventually worked part time at New England Spine institute just to have access to equipment and info. I myself after seeing over 47 chiropractors know that it's rare if ever they fix anything - temporary mask . You need a proper diagnosis because the Back and spine are the most complicated area in the body - most people continue with pain off and on because they listen to others that don't know more than they do .whomever says they have a better working knowledge than most docs are misinformed , you may get relief , and then when you have to continue I won't say I told you so. That's 40 years of jujutsu and judo throws on my back and 27 years of weights - you may get relief but the cause may not be found. - duh some one blurts pcp don't understand, no when we seek treatment you need to know the process and standards that are required - you may need an MRI , if it were me, I'd see a specialist orthopedic / sports medicine - for diagnosis - you only get one shot at fixing your body . Many offices have an mdt approach where after proper testing , the team comprised of md, pt and maybe dc to decide a course of treatment . You must have insurance it's a law now pretty much. If you dream of staying active and fit you will need to hit the docs office many times. People that say, docs know shit? The are misinformed. Take the initiative and YOU find the best. When i had spine reconstruction - i refused to have anyone but me investigate and i found who was considered the top three on the planet by multiple authorities, back then there was no luxury of the internet, therefore you have an easy task. Heres where you begin- where you live research any professional athletes with similiar injuries- these people life depends on body performance- Start there- There is no easy or magic path, no one here will provide that. Yeah you got so and so who is incredible bodybuilder and can teach you alot , but even joe expert can't see you in person . Then ya got going ho joe two year board fiend just lives to post, maybe know and continues to learn but doesnt realize they don't know as much as they say, being out posting becomes a whole other issue. I like the post above, decent advice - hopefully you started with rest and ice, AJ has stated similar if you need to look to a well known expert throughout this community - he gave you some food for thought ! Good luck it's your body - peace out!

I don't think I ever said I did not want to see a doc. I am still resting it and what I did Friday did not cause any pain. I have an apt set for Tuesday with my doc before I leave to go out of town for a week for work. This will also give me another week of rest and like you said feel it out even more. I'm sure my doc will want to follow up again so I'm just waiting to talk to him.

I have insurance but it does not cover Chiro visits (from what I understand) and the ones I have been to want a ton of money first.
 
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AllTheWay

AllTheWay

TID Lady Member
Mar 17, 2011
4,240
411
i guess im lucky to have chiro that just does the adjustment and thats it. there is no follow up and no do this or dont do that. it is a very effective back adjustment and im on my way in 10mins.

hopefully having the extra week of rest will take care of it for you! nothing sucks worse than back pain of any sort.
 

ajdos

Friends Remembered
Sep 8, 2010
2,282
399
AJ, i would like to hear more about this serratus you speak of. i have a similar pain in almost the exact area you have described along the rib cage to the left of my spine. it hit me while doing a warmup set of deads yesterday and i was unable to finish the set.
its not a crippling pain, but more like an ache. however, if i stretch my arms out straight as you described, thats when it is most tender or when trying to turn and stretch. based on my past experience with back/muscle pain and spasms i just assumed it was a minor strain, possibly a muscle spasm but i am eager to learn more...
Yeah, the serratus has a lot of functions and it gets mixed up with rotator cuff and other upper back injuries.
It plays a major role in scapular articulation especially adduction/abduction, when your dieted it appears as the 'fingers' in the rib cage and wraps around until it hits the rhomboid.

The referral areas are shown below in the diagram.

serratus-anterior-trigger-points2.gif


You can see that the muscle lies beneath the sacupla and that its interconnectivity with the ribs are why I made the guess it could be serratus related since he mentioned twisting the posterior serratus can also be a culprit but its a bit lower usually.
If your having trouble pushing out at lock out its a good indication if the pain occurs there you have some sort of pull on the serratus.
Barring a major tear I have personlly pulled this muscle two times and am always amazed how quickly it heals.
 
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Rancor418

Rancor418

MuscleHead
Aug 8, 2011
310
17
i guess im lucky to have chiro that just does the adjustment and thats it. there is no follow up and no do this or dont do that. it is a very effective back adjustment and im on my way in 10mins.

hopefully having the extra week of rest will take care of it for you! nothing sucks worse than back pain of any sort.

I'm still looking but being on the road this week will slow my search down.
 
Rancor418

Rancor418

MuscleHead
Aug 8, 2011
310
17
Yeah, the serratus has a lot of functions and it gets mixed up with rotator cuff and other upper back injuries.
It plays a major role in scapular articulation especially adduction/abuction, when your dieted it appears as the 'fingers' in the rib cage and wraps around until it hits the rhomboid.

The referral areas are shown below in the diagram.

serratus-anterior-trigger-points2.gif


You can see that the muscle lies beneath the sacupla and that its interconnectivity with the ribs are why I made the guess it could be serratus related since he mentioned twisting the posterior serratus can also be a culprit but its a bit lower usually.
If your having trouble pushing out at lock out its a good indication if the pain occurs there you have some sort of pull on the serratus.
Barring a major tear I have personlly pulled this muscle two times and am always amazed how quickly it heals.


This describes it perfect. I did not feel anything in my arm but the area behind the back and running just under my lat area.
 

ajdos

Friends Remembered
Sep 8, 2010
2,282
399
This describes it perfect. I did not feel anything in my arm but the area behind the back and running just under my lat area.

I have pulled the serratus a few times only if its very bad do you feel the arm down to the pinky like that, its an interesting pain if you ever do it, referral pain is strange it actually will ache right in the palm of your hand.

When it heals there are some excercises you can do, the best is to set up on a incline bench with a light weight and go from lock out and then push up a couple extra inches from the lock out positon you can only use the serratus to push that extra if you arms are straight, that will work them and keep them a bit stronger and less injury prone.
Also, pullovers are a big time serratus working excercise you can do with back or chest.
 
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