Back Spasms

[Mark Ellis]

Well this is a new one for me. Brought on by, apparently nothing. But disabling for the time being.

Last week I felt a cramp or spasm or something between my shoulder blades on the inner left edge. It just came on as I was driving in my car. So my personal trainer put me through a bunch of stretches and it was gone by the next day. I did my normal activities, played golf, no residual problem.

Then yesterday the same thing hit me on the inner right edge of the shoulder blades. I wasn't doing anything strenuous (standing in the shower). This time the cramp and discomfort were worse. So I went off to exercise and my trainer again had me do all manner of stretching, but it never really stretched out and felt very tight. Then I went off to play a round and couldn't drive. My back went into serious spasm when I tried to throw hard.

I had a sports masseuse work on it, which helped. It still feels like if I tried to throw hard it would go back into spasm. So I am doing the ice, stretch, heat cycle hoping it will not interfere with a tournament this weekend or Pro Worlds coming up.

Anyone have experience with this condition?

[krupicka]

I've had something similar. Going to a Chiro relieved it for a bit, but it came back. What it took was making sure that I worked both shoulders equally in the gym and got my muscles balanced. Once things were balanced, it has not recurred.

[Flick4D]

What it took was making sure that I worked both shoulders equally in the gym and got my muscles balanced. Once things were balanced, it has not recurred.

Well put. There are tedious exercises that get left out each week with my training clients, too, and sometimes you forget to do them until a problem like yours surfaces. Here are some exercises I do, and have my clients do, that work extremely well on range of motion in the shoulders, and strengthening smaller, deeper muscles of the back and shoulders.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owOtS66Omxw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ8X5dMz ... 1&index=25 around 3:18 he actually demonstrates the correct technique

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssYqvTaK ... playnext=6

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNG7TxXn ... re=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rCQC_5x ... re=related

[Mark Ellis]

Thanks guys.

I don't doubt I have some imbalance (overdeveloped right side) but I suspect it is not the cause of this problem. I have cross trained for years under the whip of a trainer who forces me to work both sides.

My guess is that my current problem is at least somewhat caused by dehydration. It is feeling somewhat better. At least it doesn't feel like it is going to cramp up at any second. Heading out to my Chiro. I plan to try it out tomorrow at league.