Chiropractors/pain in upper back

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Expert: Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman - 12/1/2006


Question
I am having a terrible pain in my back right next to my Scapula (shoulder blade).  It feels like the pain is between my shoulder blade and spine.  It continuously hurts.  What could be the cause of all the pain and how do I get rid of it?

Answer
Dear Leslie,

The area of complaint is common and there is most likely a derangement in the normal biomechanical movements of the spine and possible the rib heads in that area.  I frequently see patients with these types of complaints in my office.  

The pain can be generated by the joint capsule due to the high amount of receptors found there.  When stimulated abnormally by fixation or abnormal movement, muscle spasm can also result with further increases pain transmission to the brain.  Muscles involved in that area are the middle fibers of the trapezius, rhomboid major, rhomboid minor, and the middle fibers of the erector spinae muscles.

Posture is usually a factor in the causation of these types of problems.  Rounded shoulders, forward head posture, slumped sitting and standing positions, all place enormous amounts of stress on the anatomy of the upper back.  These types of problems respond well to chiropractic care of the spine as well as stretching and postural exercises that can be taught for you to perform at home.

I would suggest that you find a local chiropractic physician and schedule an examination of the area of complaint, so that a proper diagnostic impression can be attained, and treatment can be started to correct the problem.  Correcting problems such as you have described is fairly easy, and you should get good results in just a few visits.

If you need any help finding a quality chiropractic physician in your area, get back in touch with me and give me the area in which you live (city/state and closeness to a large city) and I will check my referral networks to help you find one.

Best wishes.
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman  

Chiropractors

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Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman

Expertise

I can answer questions on general chiropractic care, sports injury, whiplash and auto crash, mild traumatic brain injury, structural and functional rehabilitation of the spine, nutrition for inflammation and repair, fitness training, nutrition for sports performance and other general health and nutrition related inquiries. I currently lecture on automobile trauma, occupant kinematics, and forensic risk analysis to local EMS, Fire and Police, as well as nutrition and sports injury to community groups. Rest assured all answers are generated from my clinical experience, and scientific research.

Experience

I have accumulated over 1100 hours of post-doctoral training to include; Certifications in Spinal Trauma and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury from the Spine Research Institute of San Diego, Certification in Chiropractic Spinal Trauma from the International Chiropractic Association, Certification in Low Speed Auto Crash Reconstruction and Certification in Forensic Risk Analysis from The Center for Research Into Automotive Safety and Health, Certified Proficiency in spinal and extremity diagnostic procedures from The Motion Palpation Institute, Certified in Sports Injury and Rehabilitation from the National University of Health Sciences and The American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians, Nationally Certified Fellow of Structural Rehabilitation from The Chiropractic Biophysics Organization, and I have advanced training in manipulation under anesthesia and nutrition. Feel free to check out my website for course listings: www.suncoasthealthcare.net

Organizations
International Chiropractic Association, Florida Chiropractic Association, American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians, American Academy of Pain Management, Chiropractic Biophysics, Spine Research Institute of San Diego, Center for Research Into Automotive Safety and Health, Motion Palpation Organization, American Academy of Manual and Physical Medicine, Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce

Education/Credentials
B.A. (Psychology)The University of Cincinnati B.S. (Human Biology)Cleveland Chiropractic College D.C. (Doctor of Chiropractic) Cleveland Chiropractic College C.C.S.T. (Certification in Chiropractic Spinal Trauma)The International Chiropractic Association C.C.S.P. (Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician)The American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians. *CCST and CCSP 120 hour certification courses are not recognized by the Florida Chiropractic Board due to the fact that they are not 300 hour diplomate level courses*

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