Upper back pain can be a nuisance, but it doesn't have to be debilitating. With the right combination of self-care treatments and over-the-counter medications, you can find relief from rhomboid muscle pain. To start, try placing an ice pack under your upper back every 2 to 3 hours. Additionally, an overall healthy lifestyle that includes a well-balanced diet, sleeping the recommended amounts and managing stress can help reduce the risk of developing back pain.
Advil and Motrin are two common over-the-counter medications that can help ease shoulder blade discomfort. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve), tend to work better than acetaminophen (Tylenol) for upper back spasms because they reduce inflammation. However, it's important to make sure that you can safely take these medications, based on your medical history. If your rhomboid muscle pain is more severe, your doctor may prescribe steroid injections or muscle relaxants.
While there are no over-the-counter muscle relaxants, some over-the-counter medications can help treat back pain, spasms, and other conditions in which muscle relaxants also help. Pregnant and breastfeeding people should check with their healthcare provider and pharmacist before using muscle relaxants. Scapular clocks are a great way to keep your muscles strong and flexible. These exercises move the shoulder blades in a variety of positions.
Additionally, physical therapists can teach you stretching and strengthening exercises to help strengthen the surrounding muscles. When you have a back spasm or your neck muscles don't relax, it can be difficult to function. Prescription muscle relaxants are stronger than over-the-counter muscle relaxants, but may have more pronounced side effects. Muscle relaxants should not be combined with alcohol or other medications that may cause drowsiness, such as antihistamines or sedatives.