Back Strained?
 

In using one of those "pull weight machines"[1], I got a pain in my back. Right under & slightly spine-ward of my left shoulder-blade

It never seems to bother me, unless I use one of those "pull weight machines" -- I suspect I strained or tore something that is rarely used. Even doing the breast-stroke doesn't strain it at all. Is there any way I can self-diagnose what it the injury might be?

The problem doesn't seem to be going away. As a kind of therapy, I've been doing repeated low-intensity back exercise, and stopping if I feel a twinge.

I suppose I can go bug a physeotherapist, but that would require paperwork. ~_~

[1] A rowing-like machine where you pull a weight up as you pull on some handles. In this particular machine, the handles are futher-than-shoulder width apart, and travel along a defined arc.

Sounds to me like your left rhomboid is the affected muscle. I get bad cramps in mine quite frequently (it's a very good thing my girlfriend is a massage therapist ;) ). Like you said it's not a muscle that is used very often. Time is the one true healer of a strained muscle. Other than the usual advice for a strained muscle I don't have much to add besides the fact that it sounds like your rhomboid...

Is it a good idea or a bad idea to exercise the muscle to the point of feeling a twinge?

I've pushed it to the twinge point, then the next day breast-stroked hard enough to make my entire back ache (the good ache) without any obvious harm...

Is there a way to vary my use of such a row-pull machine so that I can work out other parts of the back without being bound by the weakest link?

I am no expert when it comes to this kind of stuff, but I will tell you this. I have permanent injuries to my forearms because I tore them and didn't allow them to heal properly. Now I feel that "twinge" 8 years later any time I do a curl with a certain type of grip. If I were you I would avoid anything that works that muscle until it is completely healed and then ease your way back into it. The best way to heal a muscle is to give it the time it needs to heal. I'd avoid it.

I know this is off subject, but does anybody know where I can ask a doctor a question on TFP? You know, post a question. Thanx.

I am right here. :)

Yakk... if you are just having pain twinges in that area and it doesn't prohibit you from doing any activity (except the rowing machine) I suggest you continue on as your are (stopping when you feel more pain). As already suggested, time is the cure. NSAIDs (ibuprofen, etc) will help with the recovery. Hooking up with your physeotherapist would not be totally wasted effort since he/she could give you some more focused excersices to rehab that muscle.

I've also got a pain in that same area. I was diagnosed with a rhomboid strain. It's been so bad before that my entire neck couldn't be moved without severe pain. I've been dealing with this for about 5 years now. I've had physical therapy on it, but it only helps the problem for a little while before I start feeling the irritation again. I noticed that when I sleep with my arms down by my sides and not over my head, the pain seems to go away somewhat. I think it has something to do with the muscle not being strained for the entire night.

I also avoid any exercises where I'm lifting weight over my head. Be sure to warm everything up really well too.

Effective warm ups and steatching will help avoid these things in the future. Yoga also keeps you much more flexible. Once the damage is done only time will really help. But massage sure feels good!!