Rhomboid strain

I know that Kirk started a thread on this subject back in March of 2010, but I wanted to bring this up again. A week ago I strained my rhomboid major during an open water training session at Barton Springs. I have continued to swim since then, although I did take a day off during the week, and I didn't lift weights. I have used ice, Aleve, stretching, and massage, but it has yet to improve. Given that Greensboro is only a few months away, my plan is to stay in the water and swim through this. Any thoughts? my first question was: what is a rhomboid major? then google gave me the answer, a little muscle between your upper spine and shoulder blade only you know can tell: how severe the pain is what aggrevates it what soothes it not sure if being tough & training through is the right call maybe more massages and taking off several days in a row might help ice & Aleve might lessen the symptoms but won't address the cause, our bodies have wisdom, it raises our temps to boil a bug, it swells injured areas around joints to make them less mobile. yet we try to lower the swelling and lower temperatures stretching could aggrevate the situation How intense and distracting is the pain? is it always present does it come and go Consider a several day break maybe it might help When I have a strain sort of pain, I usually stop doing what aggrevates it. My latest was inner thigh pain when kicking breastroke, I stopped kicking breastroke for a couple weeks & slowly started back talk with a doc, come up with a plan, try something, pay attention to the outcomes hope things improve

Gull, I've never strained my rhomboid major swimming, but I have strained it in the weight room and have learned how to avoid it. For me, it happens when I do any kind of pullover or shoulder press and don't remember to keep my head/chin up. If I inadvertently tuck my chin on my chest I definitely risk the strain. Definitely see a knowledgeable P-T to help. The ice and Aleve are also good and maybe some wet heat. Rich

I have never strained them swimming but I have frequently done it doing other things (pull ups, carrying kids and groceries at the same time, trying to deal with back seat shenanigans). I recently started using the foam roller on them and it is sooo helpful I can't even describe it. I was skeptical but I am now converted. Highly recommended!

I broke my spine in two places at T5 and T6 , and as a result had my rhomboids spasmed out of control for ages. From someone who has been there big time my suggestions are 1 speak to a physiotherapist who can help in the short term with massage as this area is impossible to reach yourself 2 acupuncture by the physio was very effective for me ( but not everyone responds well to it) 3 I was dosed on diazepam for ages but not really advisable for a specific muscle unless really severe when it start to improve 3 lie on your back on a golf ball to get into the muscles ( aaagggghhhh) 4 in the gym I found using -the upper back machine with a light weight -lying on a weight bench- arms straight up over my head with a light weight and letting my arms and weight drop down gently behind my head and - using a cliniband and holding it between my hands behind me with arms held straight and horizontal would just give the rhomboids a gentle squeeze and relax ( gives a nice oooh rather than a painful aaaaggghh ). My colleagues watched me and starting using my cliniband themselves to relieve back ache from sitting too long at computers Good luck and I do sympathise