Rhomboid muscle pain can be a debilitating condition that can cause pain in the upper middle of the back, in the back of the shoulders, or between the spine and the shoulder blade. It is important to take care of yourself as soon as you start to feel pain in the rhomboid muscle so that it doesn't get worse. Fortunately, there are a variety of treatments available to help relieve this type of pain. The first step in treating rhomboid muscle pain is to take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as naproxen (Aleve), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or acetaminophen (Tylenol).
Additionally, you should place an ice pack under your upper back every 2 to 3 hours. It is also important to avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting during recovery and slowly return to your activities once you feel fully healed. If you experience pain in the rhomboid muscle on a regular basis, you may want to work with a personal trainer to learn exercises that can help you correct imbalances in your body. If you don't see any improvement after taking steps to relieve rhomboid muscle pain, it may be helpful to see a physical therapist or physical therapist.
A local anesthetic solution is administered between the rhomboid muscle and the intercostal muscles on the T5-T6 ribs, 2 to 3 cm from the medial edge of the scapula. Naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox DS, Naprosyn) is often prescribed for people who have joint pain, swelling, and certain forms of arthritis, such as ankylosing spondylitis. It is also used to treat menstrual pain and other symptoms. If the first medication that was tried doesn't seem to have the desired effect, other types may need to be tried to get relief.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a popular class of medications that can help relieve back and neck pain. It is important to take care of yourself if you experience rhomboid muscle pain. Take time to rest and refrain from activities that are causing this pain. Make sure you can do exercises without pain or effort and don't try too hard or too soon.
Pay close attention to how your body responds to activities after a period of rest and take care of yourself as soon as you start to feel pain in the rhomboid muscle. The amount of time it takes to recover from rhomboid muscle pain depends on the severity of the strain.