Pain Between Shoulder Blades

[joefish]

Anybody get this after fishing for a few hours? My back is sore for hours after a day of fishing, I stand all the time so put in a recessed TM tray it helped some. Does any one know of a brace/support you could wear to help?

[Smokinal]

Sometimes a brace can mask a weak core or weak supporting muscles. Not saying this is your case, as we have never even met but you may also want to look into a light weight training program to fix the root of the problem. Check for a personal trainer at a local gym. He/she could give you some exercises to do at home even.

[Fishing Rhino]

Check with your doctor.

[BassinLou]

Go look up Blackburn exercises on google. Those exercises will address the issue you are having. You can do them in the comfort of your home and they really help. A few of my clients have found relief incorporating these exercises a few times a week. 

[BrianinMD]

BassinLou, thanks for this. I have the same pains. Been trying to get some exercise and down 33 pounds from me peak weight but need to do some strengthening.

[NorcalBassin]

Most likely due to your sustained posture while fishing. If you're in a boat, sit in a chair (all the way back), put your hands behind your head, and slowly lean back staying within a comfortable amount of motion (gently fulcrum off the top of the chair). Should be a nice comfortable stretch and provide you with the relief you're looking for. Do it every 30 minutes or so... don't wait for the pain to hit.

[bigbill]

My exercise will come from swinging a fishing rod. I'm weak but still determined to fish harder. I'll put on my back support and knee supports and go out there like the six million dollar man.

I have a date with a big hog that's my destiny.

[BassinLou]

It's most likely your rotator cuff. It's a group of four muscles that hold the shoulder in place and can be hurt in any sport that involves a motion similar to throwing, ie, casting. Because these muscles are usually not exercised properly, they are often weak and a source of recurrent shoulder pain. Happens to me every spring when I start fishing after doing a whole bunch of nothing all winter.

 

Rotator cuff injuries do not present themselves in the middle of the back. They present in the front top or rear of shoulder, where these muscles attach. The pain/or discomfort the op is mentioning sounds like muscle fatigue of the muscles of the mid back. 

[deaknh03]

Rotator cuff injuries do not present themselves in the middle of the back. They present in the front top or rear of shoulder, where these muscles attach. The pain/or discomfort the op is mentioning sounds like muscle fatigue of the muscles of the mid back. 

I get the same pain, it's def not rotator cuff. Mine feels nerve related, as well as muscle.

[slonezp]

Rotator cuff injuries do not present themselves in the middle of the back. They present in the front top or rear of shoulder, where these muscles attach. The pain/or discomfort the op is mentioning sounds like muscle fatigue of the muscles of the mid back. 

I would tend to agree with this. I'm a veteran of shoulder surgeries. The trapezius and rhomboid muscles support the shoulder blade near the middle of the back . If these are weak or fatigued, I would imagine they are the problem. Mine are actually torn off the shoulder blade from an injury. It makes for some very painful days on the water. 

[The Rooster]

I would tend to agree with this. I'm a veteran of shoulder surgeries. The trapezius and rhomboid muscles support the shoulder blade near the middle of the back . If these are weak or fatigued, I would imagine they are the problem. Mine are actually torn off the shoulder blade from an injury. It makes for some very painful days on the water.

Are they going to be put back on?

[slonezp]

Are they going to be put back on?

I'm hoping to have the surgery within the year. There are a lot of politics I have to go thru and rather not talk about the details on an open forum. As far as the surgery, he's going to make a 4" incision in my back. Drill a bunch of holes in the shoulder blade, and sew the muscle back in place. Recovery time is 4-7 months to get me to 60%, and up to 3 years to get me to 70-75%. Doc says the pain should decrease by 50-75% as well. My pain and weakness is being caused from the lack of support of the shoulder blade. It's misaligned preventing my arm from working properly. I'll never be right, but should see quite an improvement from the way it is now. My left arm is all but useless. It fatigues instantly as soon as I do any kind of work with it and the pain is another story all together.

 

I quit my tournaments mid season last year. It would take me 3 days to recover from 8hrs of fishing. The last tourney I fished last season, I was done at 11:15 in the morning couldn't make it any longer. My son, who is my partner, found a new partner this season if I can't fish(I'm still gonna try). I took up walleye and panfishing last year. It's a lot less work.

[AQUA VELVA]

Then I guess maybe, possibly it is not the rotator cuff. Im right handed and have a tendancy to be a hard caster. After a long day the area near my right shoulder blade is killing me to the point that I have to stop fishing. I wonder if this is very common or just age related?

[Glenn]

Go see a chiropractor. 

[BassinLou]

Then I guess maybe, possibly it is not the rotator cuff. Im right handed and have a tendancy to be a hard caster. After a long day the area near my right shoulder blade is killing me to the point that I have to stop fishing. I wonder if this is very common or just age related?

 

If your discomfort is in the middle of the left side of your right shoulder blade, more than likely its not your rotator cuff. That could be a direct byproduct of your hard casting. A stretch that may alleviate that discomfort is to extend your right arm out in front of you and gently pull it across your body over toward the left shoulder. If that stretch is too intense, then bend your right arm 90 degrees in front of you, and repeat the same stretch. Hold the stretch anywhere between 30 sec to a minute every hour or so while your fishing and see if that helps. Good luck.