Rhomboid muscle strain

Many people have suffered from or are experiencing shoulder and back pain. Some people feel soreness in their shoulders and back after carrying a heavy backpack. The above situation may be caused by rhomboid muscle strain. Normally, when we lift heavy objects, this muscle may be damaged. Since the rhomboid muscle is the key muscle to maintain the upper body posture, people who work at a desk or stay in a humid place for a long time are prone to recurrence of the disease.

1. Concept

The rhomboid muscle originates from the spinous processes of some cervical and thoracic vertebrae and inserts at the inner edge of the scapula. It is located between the trapezius muscle and the serratus posterior superior muscle. It has the function of lifting the scapula, bringing the scapula closer to the spine, adducting the scapula, and fixing the scapula.

2. Causes

1. Medical history: Acute or chronic injuries of this muscle are mostly caused by throwing objects forward by hand, lifting weights, frequently carrying heavy objects on the shoulders, or working in an externally rotated scapula position for a long time. It is more common in clinical practice in cases of rhomboid muscle injury.

Symptoms

There is pain or soreness in the spine and interscapular area on the injured side, and weakness in the shoulders and arms. In severe cases, it is difficult to take off or put on clothes, and there is occasionally a feeling of chest tightness.

1. Neck and Shoulder Syndrome

Refers to sprain and spasm of the neck and shoulder muscles. For example, after working in front of the computer for a period of time, you will feel sore neck and shoulders, and your neck suddenly cannot turn.

2. Back strain

Refers to sprains, spasms, ligament sprains of the waist and back muscles, as well as co-existing joint problems and intervertebral disc herniations.

3. Wrist strain

This is a typical complication of severe compression of the nerves in the cervical spine. Intermittent numbness and tingling in the fingers and palms, occasional swelling and pain in the palms, wrists or forearms, difficulty in extending the thumb and pain, and in severe cases, weakness in the fingers and hands.

4. Diagnosis

Various nerve compression tests are normal, and it is difficult to detect on X-rays. During examination, the muscle may be felt to become hardened, with bulging muscle bundles or cord-like appearance, and obvious tenderness at the site of injury. Symptoms worsen when the arms are abducted, excessively adducted, or raised.

5. Treatment

If this injury occurs accidentally, Chinese medicine is quite effective in this regard, especially Chinese medicine techniques. You can try massage and functional exercise. Acupuncture treatment has also been found to be very effective in clinical practice. If it is difficult to relieve, local blockade treatment can be accepted, combined with functional exercise and rest, all of which have good effects.

The patient sits upright on a square stool, and the operator sits behind the patient and uses the tip of his thumb to apply pressure and slide down along the affected side of the spine or the injured part of the scapula. After doing this 5 to 6 times in a row, use the base of your palm to gently massage the affected area and adjacent tissues where pain and discomfort occur. Repeat this 3 to 4 times. Massage once every other day. For mild cases, 2 to 4 times; for severe cases, 5 to 6 times, and the disease will be cured.