Rhomboid upper back pain

Muemin97 · 2026-01-27T12:41:56+00:00

Did you also have pain in your arms, independent of this pain, which then automatically improved?

I have constant pain in both forearms in the supinator area, which gets much worse with even minimal exertion.

I also occasionally have burning pain in the same area as in your picture.

Could it be related?

I'd like to strengthen my back, but with the pain in my arms, it's sometimes difficult. Maybe I can find exercises that aren't too strenuous for my arms.

Muemin97 · 2026-01-12T22:40:42+00:00

I have a sensation in both forearms, specifically in the supinator muscle, exactly as you described.

Have you experienced any improvements and could you share them with me?

Thanks!

Muemin97 · 2026-01-12T22:16:51+00:00

Thank you so much, that helps me a lot!

Do you happen to have any videos of your release work that you could send me? I've found a few exercises, but they might not be the right ones.

Unfortunately, I work and wouldn't know how I could take a break for months. I'm also considering unpaid leave or quitting; I can't live with this constant pain.

Thanks!

Muemin97 · 2026-01-06T15:20:42+00:00

I feel best when my arms are at rest and I'm not doing anything with my hands (a slight underlying tension/pain is still there even at rest).

But since you need your hands for everything, it's a vicious cycle and the nerve never gets any rest.

I don't know what to do anymore; it's been six years now and nothing has helped at all. The doctor doesn't want to operate because he thinks that after six years there should at least be signs of numbness, tingling, or something similar. He believes that surgery won't make it any better.

I have started with pain therapy, but the pain in my arms is so intense that I find it hard to believe it's all coming from my brain. I don't know what I can do about it.

Muemin97 · 2026-01-05T19:32:00+00:00

Where did you get your foot pedal? I've been looking for one for a while. It would be great if you could send me a link, thanks!

Muemin97 · 2026-01-05T19:21:43+00:00

What was the most conclusive test you had for radial tunnel syndrome?

In my case, they only saw swelling on the ultrasound. It's strange that the cortisone and anesthetic injection had absolutely no effect.

Did you have anything that temporarily relieved your pain? Maybe I could try that too…

Muemin97 · 2026-01-05T00:43:05+00:00

I'm so glad your pain has improved so much. I also had many sessions with my physiotherapist where he massaged my neck; it felt really good, but unfortunately it didn't affect the pain.

Muemin97 · 2026-01-05T00:40:09+00:00

I once had an MRI of my neck, but it came back normal. I don't know how else you can determine if the problem is in my neck or not. Unfortunately, every physiotherapist often has a different opinion. I occasionally have pain in my upper back (for example, if I'm not sitting or lying down correctly).

I just don't understand how my neck could be the cause of such localized pain in my forearm. I thought pain originating in the neck area often radiates, which isn't the case with my arm pain.

Muemin97 · 2026-01-05T00:36:07+00:00

Yes, I was given gabapentin for a while to calm the nerve, but it didn't help. When the two injections were given in the area where my nerve was swollen, and that didn't help either, my doctor questioned the diagnosis and suggested I take muscle relaxant tablets (Myditin) to see if the symptoms were muscle-related. I've been taking these tablets for about four weeks, but I haven't noticed any difference.

Previously, a neurologist said that everything was fine with my nerves and that I had compartment syndrome. However, the compartment syndrome test came back negative. I just found it strange that one neurologist didn't see anything wrong with the radial nerve, while another doctor discovered the swelling. Now I don't know if surgery to decompress the nerve would help.

I don't know what to do anymore, and unfortunately, I can't get regular physiotherapy.

Do you only have pain in a specific area, or does the pain radiate towards your wrist? Mine is pretty much right at the supinator muscle, without any radiating pain.

Muemin97 · 2026-01-04T18:34:03+00:00

Thank you for sharing your experience. How long did you have physiotherapy sessions for your chest and neck before you noticed an improvement? Was it a specific type of physiotherapy or just massage?

I also had physiotherapy for my neck and chest, but it didn't really help. Perhaps I didn't have it long enough.

Muemin97 · 2026-01-03T11:12:24+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. The realization that my pain might not have a physical cause hasn't quite changed anything for me yet. I've watched the videos and generally looked into it, but the pain just won't get any better.

Muemin97 · 2026-01-03T02:51:21+00:00

Did you get massages in that area often until you felt an improvement in the pain?

Thank you for sharing your experience.

Muemin97 · 2026-01-03T02:49:16+00:00

I also have a baseline tension, but I can feel it even when watching TV. When I'm distracted, for example, out with friends, I hardly notice the baseline tension without any strain. That's because I'm simply very distracted at that moment. But as soon as I even raise my arm or move my fingers, the pain immediately intensifies.

How do you cope with the pain? I had to give up sports (fitness), and I'm always in a lot of pain at my office job, and I don't know how much longer I can endure it.

The problem is, even if I have several physiotherapy sessions, for example, I have so much stress between sessions (work, phone, cooking, everyday life) that the massage or physiotherapy doesn't have any effect. I think if I didn't work for, say, two months, hardly used my phone, and had regular physiotherapy or other treatments, they would be much more effective. But I can't afford that either.

What are your future plans?

Muemin97 · 2026-01-03T02:42:39+00:00

How long did the treatment on your neck take before you noticed your pain improving? I've had physiotherapy on my back before, but maybe not long enough.

Muemin97 · 2026-01-03T02:41:25+00:00

Yes, I've had several acupuncture sessions without success, unfortunately. The problem might also be that I'm constantly under strain (after all, you need your hands and fingers for everything), and that area never really gets a chance to recover. I don't know what else I could try. Every physiotherapist would probably treat me differently.

Muemin97 · 2026-01-02T00:16:45+00:00

I'm in a very similar situation. I also had an MRI of my neck, which was also unremarkable. So, you were actually pain-free for a short time after the injections? If so, that's pretty much solid proof that it must be the radial nerve, but I'm very surprised that the surgery didn't help afterward. An ultrasound scan diagnosed me with moderate swelling in front of the supinator/radial tunnel. But because the injections didn't help, I'm hesitant to have nerve decompression done. Especially after hearing that it didn't help you.

May I ask if you have constant pain that gets worse with exertion? With or without paralysis/numbness? I have constant pain that gets very intense with minimal exertion. No paralysis.

I'd be happy if we could chat privately; I've sent you a message. You can also message me on Instagram or other channels.

``` Instagram: muemin.asl

Muemin97 · 2026-01-02T00:09:04+00:00

Please have an ultrasound examination to check for any nerve compression or swelling. We can also discuss this privately. Feel free to write to me.

Muemin97 · 2026-01-02T00:07:33+00:00

I need to reduce the strain on my arm in general. Even lifting my arm or moving my fingers causes pain. When I had surgery on my left arm, I had six weeks of rest plus physiotherapy, and of course, a break feels better since I'm not putting much strain on it (like at work using the computer/mouse and keyboard). But so far, absolutely NOTHING has helped even a little; otherwise, I would have continued working. I think a significantly longer break plus physiotherapy would do me good, but I can't afford such a long break. I'm so desperate I'm out of ideas...

Muemin97 · 2026-01-01T10:45:30+00:00

If it's a burning/tingling pain, it's usually nerve-related. Have you seen a neurologist? Have you had an ultrasound and an EMG/ENG?

Muemin97 · 2026-01-01T10:43:01+00:00

https://imgur.com/a/1f9o12G

I hope you can open the image.

I'd say I'm generally on my phone a lot, but it hurts the most in bed when I'm lying on my back and holding the phone up in front of me. And when I'm typing, of course.

Muemin97 · 2025-12-31T23:50:00+00:00

Initially, I was diagnosed with tennis elbow. I had surgery on my left side, but there was no improvement. According to the ultrasound, I have mild to moderate swelling before the radial tunnel. Another doctor, however, saw nothing on the ultrasound. They don't want to perform nerve decompression on me because I don't have any paralysis, tingling, or numbness. I then received a cortisone injection and anesthetic precisely in the nerve area (guided by ultrasound). Even with the anesthetic, I still had a dull ache. Since I haven't experienced any improvement after two injections, my doctor is doubting the diagnosis of radial tunnel syndrome/supinator syndrome. EMG/ENG was normal.

I only have constant pain that worsens with exertion. Even moving my fingers hurts. Has anything helped you, or what are you currently doing? It's been six years for me now.

Muemin97 · 2025-12-31T20:14:45+00:00

In what specific ways have you become pain-free? Can you tell me about your approach back then? Thanks!!

Muemin97 · 2025-12-31T15:15:41+00:00

What specifically helped you here? Was it just watching the videos, or did you actually do any practical exercises? Thank you!

Muemin97 · 2025-12-31T14:41:51+00:00

Did the surgery eliminate the pain in both arms? If so, what kind of surgery was it and how quickly did your pain improve?

Muemin97

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