Lift Correctly To Prevent Spasms
Back spasms can develop from a very common daily task â lifting. In November 2017, a study published by BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders examined the effect of lifting progressively heavier loads on lower back muscles. Participants bent at the waist â a movement called trunk flexion â during these lifts. The authors assessed back muscle tension in 22 healthy male college students lifting 33-, 44- and 55-pound loads. Back spasms occurred in 45 percent of the participants at 33 pounds 68 percent at 44 pounds and a whopping 82 percent when they lifted the 55-pound load.
This doesn’t mean back spasms are unavoidable. Using proper lifting form â keeping your back straight, rather than using trunk flexion, and bending your knees, rather than bending over at the waist â can help prevent back spasms or worsening of spasms that are already present.
What Causes The Ms Hug
The MS hug occurs because messages from nerves are blocked or disrupted by the damage caused by MS. The feeling of tightness around your chest can be due to spasms in the small muscles between your ribs which help expand your chest when breathing. The odd sensations, including aching, stabbing, crawling or pins and needles, are classed as a kind of nerve pain known as dysaesthesia .
Thoracic Vertebral Compression Fractures
Compression fractures are those that happen when the spine squeezes down to a shorter height. They can occur as a result of metastatic cancer or osteoporosis.
These fractures can cause interscapular pain.
Since fractures in this region aren’t as common as those in the cervical or lumbar spine, the diagnosis may be delayed.
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Muscle Injury Or Overuse
Sometimes chest and back pain may be due to injury or overuse of muscles. Injury can occur due to things like accidents or falls.
Overuse can also cause muscle pain. Repetitive motions that are used in day-to-day activities, work, or sports can also contribute to this. An example of a repetitive activity that may cause muscle pain in the chest and back is rowing.
Generally, pain from muscle injury or overuse may be worse when moving the affected area.
But Can Chest Pain Ever Be Caused By A Neck Problem
A thoracic disc herniation can pinch a nerve that can cause pain radiating around the trunk and into the chest, says John D. Lipani, MD, FACS, neurosurgeon-in-chief for and founding director of Princeton Neurological Surgery in NJ.
But this is uncommon. Its even more unlikely if 1) youve never been diagnosed with a disc herniation in that area, and 2) you have no other symptoms suggestive of a thoracic or cervical disc herniation .
If youve been having new-onset chest pain and notice it comes on only when you move your neck about, this would suggest a muscle related cause.
In fact, strained back muscles can cause chest discomfort when a person deeply inhales.
The neck may also hurt upon certain movements.
But if your chest pain is also accompanied by feeling short of breath, nausea, faintness, sudden weakness, sweating, arm or jaw pain dont try to convince yourself that any of these other symptoms are being caused by an innocent neck problem.
Get to the emergency room as soon as possible especially if the chest pain arises whenever you exert yourself.
Dr. Lipaniis a board certified, fellowship-trained neurosurgeon. His specialties include minimally invasive spine surgery and non-invasive brain and spine radiosurgery. Hes the founding director of the JD Lipani Radiosurgery Institute for non-invasive neurosurgery.
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Can Anxiety Lead To Stress Knots In Neck Or Upper Back Areas
Anxiety has demonstrable physical effects. The most common physical symptoms of stress include elevated heart and respiratory rates. Still, there are countless physical anxiety symptoms, ranging from clenched teeth and headaches to unexplained dizziness or nausea. While anxiety might at first seem primarily like a mental or emotional condition, it possesses physiological consequences that extend far beyond the initial buzz of anxiety.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety can be defined as feelings of tension, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure. Many people experience occasional anxiety tied to a specific event, like giving a speech or a conflict with a friend or family member. When the stressor is eliminated, the anxiety typically subsides. However, feelings of worry and tension are persistent, difficult to control, and significantly impact daily functioning for some individuals. This may indicate the presence of an anxiety disorder. If you think you have an anxiety disorder, speaking with an online therapist is a great place to learn more about how to handle this.
If you believe you may have an anxiety disorder, consider seeking professional help. Living with anxiety can be overwhelming and isolating, so reaching out for help can initially prove to be a difficult task. Fortunately, most mental health practitioners have dealt with some form of anxiety before and will know how to recognize the signs and symptoms of anxiety disorders.
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Tightness In Chest And Throat What Could It Be
1. GERD
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a digestive disorder that affects the lower esophageal sphincter. This allows the stomach acid and food to move back up from the stomach into the esophagus, thus causes tightness in the throat or chest.
Other Signs and Symptoms
- Chest pain
- Burning sensation within ones chest which may also spread to the throat alongside a sour taste becoming apparent in ones mouth
- Dry cough
- A lump in ones throat
- Regurgitation of food or liquid
Treatment Options
Over-the-counter medication antacids, H-2-receptor blockers, and proton pump inhibitors are often used to control heartburn and other symptoms of GERD. If these prove ineffective after two weeks, then stronger medications such as Baclofen can be prescribed by your doctor. If medication has no overwhelming positive success, then surgery may be required. The procedures usually carried out include lower esophageal sphincter reinforcement surgery, and lower esophageal sphincter strengthening surgery.
2. Asthma
Asthma is a disease that inflames the walls of passageways that supply air to the lungs. Inflamed airways are sensitive and complicate breathing. Common asthma symptoms include breathing problems, wheezing, coughing, and tightness in chest and throat.
Other Signs and Symptoms
- Fatigue
Treatment Options
3. Heart Failure
Signs and Symptoms
The following symptoms often accompany heart failure:
- Coughing
- Swollen abdomen or liver
Treatment Options
4. Angina
Other Signs and Symptoms
5. Anxiety
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What Upper Back And Chest Pain Feel Like
Infographic:Upper Back Pain
Upper back and chest pain may begin gradually and worsen over a long period of time, or it can start suddenly without explanation or after an injury. This pain is typically felt more on one side of the spine, but it can be felt on both sides. People with upper back and chest pain usually have one or more of the following symptoms:
- Dull achiness that is felt in the upper back and chest, perhaps just on one side, and/or possibly extending into the shoulder area
- Burning, sharp, or electric-like pain that may worsen with movement, possibly radiating pain along a rib from the upper back to the chest area
- Stiffness in the shoulder, chest, and/or upper back due to pain or muscle tightness, which can reduce the ability to perform basic tasks, such as getting dressed or driving
- Pressure or fullness in the chest rather than pain1
- Increased pain while breathing or trouble taking full breaths
- Trigger points in the upper back and/or chest that feel tender, sore, or tight, and can flare up and spread pain to nearby areas when touched
- Pins-and-needles tingling or numbness that might be felt along the rib or across a bigger area, possibly more in the chest or back
- Pain that spreads into the neck and/or arm, which can range from dull to sharp, and could be accompanied by tingling, numbness, and/or weakness
- Rib pain that travels along the rib or possibly between ribs
Heat And Cold Therapy
Break out the ice and heat packs. In general, cold compresses help to reduce swelling just after an injury has occurred. Alternatively, heat works to relax and loosen stiff muscles and also promotes increased blood flow. You could try one or the other or alternate between both. Go with whatever feels good to you.
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What Causes Muscle Knots
Muscle knots, also known as myofascial trigger points, are complex and have a variety of possible causes. There is a lot more research to be conducted on the matter, but the best available evidence suggests that muscle knots are the result of overuse2 such as heavy lifting or repetitive activities. Other causes may include:
- Psychological stress1
- Sleep disturbances5
- Joint problems5
Muscle fibres are made to move contract and relax lengthen and shorten, says Dr. Adrian Chow, DC. However, when we sit at the computer all day, with very little movement in between, these muscle fibres begin to stick to each other, forming a knot. Bad posture also puts stress on our muscles, and with enough time, this stress can cause the formation of scar tissue.
Manage Your Back Pain And Improve Your Spinal Health At The Spine And Rehab Group
Acid reflux can cause chest and back pain, but its better to consult your doctor for a proper diagnosis. Even if you have regular episodes of heartburn and history of GERD, any significant or different back pain should be checked so you can rule out any serious complications.
At the Spine And Rehab Group, we have extensive experience in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of any spinal-related injuries or back pain. As one of the leading providers of spinal care in New York, we pride ourselves on our commitment to excellent customer service and effective solutions. To learn more about our services and what we can do for your back pain, visit one of our clinics today.
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What Can You Do To Alleviate Thoracic Spine Syndrome
Usually, the pain caused by thoracic spine syndrome goes away on its own after a few days to a week. But you can influence how long this will take and how it will progress.
Its especially important that you maintain good posture when youre standing, sitting or lying down. To help you, use the BLACKROLL® POSTURE trainer. It will help you to maintain good posture at all times when youre standing and sitting. The BLACKROLL® RECOVERY PILLOW is there to support your posture while you sleep.
If youve already had poor posture for a long time and it has limited your thoracic spine movement, improve it by doing targeted exercises to stretch and increase your mobility, helping restore your myofascial balance. This will also have a positive effect on your posture and biomechanics.
Are you mostly free of pain? Then its time to train your upper body to avoid excessive strain. The most important area is your back muscles, and especially your middle back around your shoulder blades. Often, this also helps with the neck tension that comes with your other symptoms.
Has the discomfort in your thoracic spine improved as a result of the exercises? Great job keep going! Supplement your training program with more exercises to achieve success. Download the BLACKROLL® APP and get even more motivated.
What Is Thoracic Spine Syndrome
The thoracic spine is made up of 12 vertebrae and sits between your neck bones and the bottom of your spine . It starts at about shoulder level and extends to the bottom of your ribcage, down to the vertebra that attaches to your last rib. Thoracic spine syndrome is an umbrella term for different causes of pain found in this part of the body.
Compared to cervical and lumbar spine syndromes, thoracic spine syndrome is much rarer. Usually, it is down to functional causes and is harmless. Yet serious conditions are much more commonly linked with thoracic spine syndrome and pain in the middle back compared to cervical and lumbar spine syndromes. But dont worry we will tell you when its important to get a more precise diagnosis from your doctor.
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The Pectoralis Major Trigger Points That Cause Chest Pain And Breast Pain
The Pectoralis Major muscle group is the large, flat muscles found in the upper chest region. The muscle has four overlapping sections that attach to the ribs, collarbone, chest bone, and upper arm bone at the shoulder.
This muscle group contracts as you push with your arms in front of you and when you rotate your arms inward towards your trunk. The Pectoralis Major can contain up to five different trigger points that refer pain in the chest, shoulder, and breast regions.
Additionally, pain or numbness may radiate down the inside of the arm and into the fingers. Trigger points in this muscle group tend to activate trigger points in the upper back muscles that produce pain between the shoulder blades.
How To Treat Muscle Knots
With some time and patience, you can often manage a muscle knot at home. Here are some simple tricks for getting your muscle to relax and stop hurting:
Stretch. Sometimes, getting up and moving or doing gentle stretching exercises can relieve a muscle that’s knotted from being in an uncomfortable position for too long. Stretching can also prevent knots. If you notice certain areas knotting up often, ask your doctor about stretches to loosen those muscles and lower the chances of more knots.
Ice and heat. Most muscle pain responds well to alternating ice and heat. Use an ice pack on the spot for a short while, and then switch to a warm compress or heating pad. If you notice that one seems to help more than the other, stick with what one feels best.
Trigger point massage. Sometimes, firm pressure encourages your muscle to release. You can use your hands or a foam roller to apply pressure. Simply find the knot and press on it as hard as you can tolerate. Do this several times a day until the muscle feels better.
Professional massage. A massage with a professional massage therapist might be helpful. Tell them where the knot is and what may have caused it. Your therapist can work on that muscle and identify any areas around it that might be adding to the pain.ââ
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Conditions That May Cause Tightness In Throat And Chest
Experiencing symptoms like this can be troubling, and cause impairment in ones ability to carry out day-to-day task. While this occurrence is not always linked to cardiac problems, medical examination can be wise to rule out any serious underlying conditions. This article will detail common causes for tightness in ones chest and throat, as well as a brief explanation of treatment methods and options.
Can You Treat Muscle Knots At Home
While we recommend seeking the advice of a spine, muscle, and nervous system expert, there are some cases where you can massage the sore muscles yourself. Try following this simple technique: 4
- Locate the knot in your muscle and, using your fingers, gently massage it out.
- Focus on loosening the tight muscle by pressing down firmly and making small circles.
- If youre finding it difficult to reach the muscle knot in your back, neck, or shoulders, you can try using a tennis ball or foam roller to apply pressure to the knot. Slowly and gently move back and forth to relieve the tension.
Muscle knots in any area of the body are painful and frustrating. Now that you know what they are, what causes them, and how to treat them, we hope youll find relief and get back to enjoying your everyday activities.
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Bodies Need Balancestrong Chest Muscles Can Cause Knots In Your Back
- Post author
Are your chest muscles too strong? Could they possibly be the cause of the muscle knots in your back?
Knots in your back can be caused by overstretch of back muscles. When the back muscles are overstretched they complain. They get knots or give you pain in some other way. Thats how muscles communicate.
Poor posture is the most common cause for upper back muscle strain but heres another aggravating factor.
This note came to me from a reader who had muscle knots in his back.
I discovered that my pain came from unbalanced exercise. I have in the past and was again doing a push-up regimen. Without strengthening the counter-balancing upper back muscles, my push-ups were causing imbalance and thus pain. Im now doing a more balanced workout and feeling fine.
Its much more common that our back muscles are weak and overstretched instead of strong and relaxed.
Heres a video that can help lengthen your chest muscles and strengthen your back muscles:
If you spend lots of time exercising the chest muscles making them look and be big and strong, they can easily overrule your back muscles.
We need strong back sides from the knees to the base of the skull. That is what will help keep you from having miserable muscle knots in your back.
There are many more articles for you at Simple Back Pain Relief.com Check it out!
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