Expert: Dr. Paul Newhart - 1/11/2008

Question
Hello Doctor,

I have been getting bouts of back pain. It doesn't seem to correlate to any heavy lifting or strain, and I am getting worried about it.

The pain is exactly in the centre of my back, about 1/3 of the way up. It's like a pinch and occurs when I twist my back (i.e. when I sit exactly straight I feel no pinches). It's happened about 5 or 6 times in the last 8 months and lasts for 1-2 days. With about 10 pinches a day, depending on how much I twist.

I am getting a bit worried and I was wondering if its something serious. Should I see my Doctor or hope that it goes away. I do very little exercise (just 20 minutes walking to work). I am sitting down during the week as I am desk based. I am 28 and generally very healthy with no injuries or serious illness. I am about 5ft 10" and weigh around 182 pounds.

Is there any exercise that can help? Do you have any clues about what the problem is?

Ben

Answer
First, let me apologize for the lateness of my reply; I was on vacation and forgot to set an away message.  The sitting you do at work is highly contributory to the problem.  The muscles basically are not getting enough of a workout, and they are going into spasm when called on to work.  Shoulder retraction exercises can help, as well as a good fitness program to get you more active.