Upper back pain. WHAT???

I'm a little worried about the back pain I've developed late in my 2nd trimester (I'm now in 3rd). It's a dull pain under my right shoulder blade, hurts like hell to an extent that I can no longer sit on a chair or stand upright. Gets terrible in the afternoon, mornings are fine. Has anyone experienced this? Maybe I could do some stretching excercises? Any advice would be much appreciated! There is a lot of info on lower back pain but nobody seems to know about the upper one-sided kind of pain.. hmm

It is hard to say without knowing more about the pain. It could be a muscle strain or overuse issue but some pains can be referred from other areas of the body and can confuse the issue. I do know of one muscle that refers pain to that area, but some other conditions related to the diaphragm or other organs can also refer pain to the shoulder. Do you have a good physiotherapist you could see? It is probably best to seek some professional advice, they should be able to work out what is going on very easily.

Thanks for replies ladies. I'm attached to a laptop, basically spend all day every day with stretched out arms. But that's how it's always been..
I've never been to a physiotherapist but I will definitely ask my OB next time I see him. Not a fan of massage at all but right now it sounds heavenly!
This is my first pregnancy, and I've no idea what's going on and what else to expect:doh:

Have your breasts got bigger? I had this from early in my pregnancy - the Bear diagnosed it instantly as "stripper's cramp". Unfortunately that is what happens when you go from a B to a D cup overnight!

It happens to me early on in pregnancy, my boobs get bigger and I am a tummy sleeper so the way I sleep changes and my upper back gets sore, maybe it's the same for you.

OMG you're so right!!!!!!! Must be my boobs, they've grown a few sizes...and I thought it was a good thing :rolleyes: So, will the massage help or is that it? Thanks, it makes sense now.

I've had the same pain that you are describing - for me it wasn't the boob thing, it was a problem with my intercostal muscles (between the ribs) pulling too tight and all my ribs were compressing and I was not breathing properly!

My suggestion is to get a massage first off - that's what I did and the therapist was able to indicate an area of tightness that didn't feel right and she recommended I go see an osteo. That'd be my advice!

I think massage always helps - especially if you're pregnant. So will hot baths, early nights and general pampering. Get fitted for good supportive bras. Your back muscles will eventually get with the program... it just happens so suddenly when you're pregnant that they don't have time to adjust and strengthen up.

Massages work a treat! Your body does adjust but getting the kinks out makes it feel so much better.

Thanks for your help ladies, I will try to get a massage asap!! And also see what the OB says but he's likely to wave me off dismissively, that's what usually happens anyway. He thinks I'm a bit of a drama queen:lol:

it sounds exactly like the pain I've been getting, kind of a sharp pain under my right shoulder blade. I haven't seen anyone about it yet, but I think it's to do with a combination of a change in weight distribution (bigger heavier boobs), and posture.. it's worse when I'm sitting on the couch using my laptop. The pain seems to go away when I sit on a fitball, I'm going to try to use that more often to improve my posture.. hopefully that helps. If you have a fitball maybe try sitting on it instead of a chair and see if it helps :)

I've had upper back pain for weeks. Mine is caused by 3 rotated ribs. (FWIW, not change in boob size here) I've been treated for it by osteo, physio and acupuncture. However, given bub's position (bum shoving up towards ribs), nothing seems to work long. Massage just killed. The only real relief I can get is with hotpacks and warm baths.