Rhomboid muscle injury ~

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The rhomboid muscles are located in the upper back, where they connect the inner edges of the shoulder blades to the spine. A rhomboid muscle injury is normally either a strain or spasm in these muscle. A strain is an injury in which muscle fibres or tendons are stretched or torn. A muscle spasm is an involuntary contraction of the muscle.

Causes
A rhomboid muscle strain or spasm is usually caused by overuse of the shoulder and arm, especially during such overhead activities as serving a volley or tennis ball or reaching to put objects on a high shelf. Other activities that often bring about rhomboid injuries include rowing and carrying a backpack with heavy weight resting on the shoulder. Poor posture can also help to cause a rhomboid injury, especially during prolonged use of a computer.

Diagnosis
Patients with a rhomboid strain usually complain of pain in the upper back between the shoulder blades and the spine. Patients with a rhomboid spasm describe discomfort that feels like a knot or tightness in the muscle. There is often pain associated with moving the shoulders and with breathing.

The doctor will take a complete medical history and do a thorough physical examination, focusing on the back and shoulder. Normally, the exam will reveal tightness and some tenderness in the rhomboid muscles.

Treatment
1) Initial treatment for this injury is icing the shoulder for 20 - 30 minutes every 3 to 4 hours for 2 to 3 days or until the pain goes away.
Sometimes the best method for applying ice to these muscles is to place a frozen gel pack on the floor, cover it with a towel, and then lie down on top of it. Anti-inflammatory medication may also be prescribed.

2) Massage is also very helpful. The patient can perform self-massage by placing a tennis ball on the floor, lying down with the rhomboid muscles against the tennis ball, and gently rolling back and forth over the ball, so that the muscles are massaged.

3) For our student those who had attend the self treatment courses, just place your palm on C1 and  the problematic area for 5 minutes the pain will resolve.

4) Once the pain has began to subside, the patient should be given the  Yi Xue's Orthopedics Course ~ a great  rehabilitation exercise  to help return flexibility and strength to these muscles. During recovery, it is important to refrain from the aggravating activities that caused the injury. Tennis players and rowers may need to switch to running or biking during their recovery, but once the symptoms have resolved, and they can move their arms and shoulders without pain, they can begin a gradual return to their primary sport.

Prevention
Rhomboid strains and spasms are best prevented by warming up properly and doing stretching exercise before activities such as tennis, rowing, or overhead movements.