Expert: Scott F. Gillman, DC, DACBSP - 6/12/2008

Question
I've had right upper back pain for about one year now.  I think I hurt it working out/lifting weights.  It didn't happen in one instance, but it gradually started hurting.  I went to a physician, who sent me to an orthopedic.  We took x-rays and it was clear.  He said it was probably tendonitis.  I went to physical therapy.  It didn't real feel like it was helping.  I've only worked out about about 6 times since last  year.  I am an athlete and enjoy lifting, so this has been very hard for me.  I've never had a injury last month than a month or so.  Can you give me your thoughts?  Thank you for your help.

Answer
Matt,

My thoughts are that if the PT was not working then you must try another avenue.  It simply may be that the PT's were not providing the right mix of modalities.  If all you got was e-stim and ice then you've missed out on better treatment.  It would be worth while to find a good quality DC that can provide you with a solid examination and hopefully point out where the problems lay in your neck.   If you have joint fixation in your cervical spine, chiropractic joint manipulation will improve the motion of your joints and likely also reduce joint pain.  There are a variety of methods for dealing with tendons.  You most likely don't have tendinitis.   If you place a hand on your head and isometrically press your head against your hand, pressing forward, backwards, sideways, and in rotation, note if there is any sharp pain.   If not, you don't have tendinitis or any other inflammatory condition.   X-rays likely will not tell you where your pain is coming from, but are useful only in ruling out a fracture or some other gross pathology.   If you are in the USA, go to www.acbsp.com and find a doctor in your area.   See if you can find one also that is on this list:  www.grastontechnique.com.   What you've got is commonly and successfully treated by chiropractors.  

'Good luck.

Dr. G