Expert: Dr. Nekessa Remy - 4/22/2010

Question
Hi

I regularly exercise by going running and at the end of a session i warm down and undertake some upper body exercises such as tricep dips and push ups. I went out as per usual yesterday at around mid day. However that night at about 10 pm, whilst at work I started to experience a sharp pain in the center of the back, just below the shoulder blades. believing it to be a pulled muscle i applied deep heat and went to bed as soon as i got home. The pain kept me awake for most of the night so this morning i applied an ibuprofen based gel and a heat pad before catching some sleep on the couch. when i woke up about an hour later the pain has virtually disappeared apart from a dull ache and a stiff tender feeling in the effected area. from past experience of pulled muscles, i do not believe that this is in fact what i'm suffering from. could you shed any light on this and could you also tell me whether it is likely to re-occur and also when it should be safe to continue my exercise regime.

Many Thanks in advance

Neil

Answer
To give you a definitive answer I would need to examine you myself. You may have injured a rib, as opposed to pulling a muscle. Rib pain is often sharp and associated with increased physical activity. Occasional a rib may 'go out', which means that the joint becomes irritated and inflamed. I would avoid heat, if this comes back. Try ice first to reduce any inflammation. To prevent this from happened make sure you are stretching the muscles in your mid back after EVERY workout, whether you feel tight or not.

Hope this helps