My right shoulder and side of my back always hurt when I sit...?

Question

No matter what, when I'm seated, my right shoulder and the whole right side of my back hurt unbelievably bad. It's like a hot, searing pain. Am I sitting wrong? Do I need a custom chair? My problem is that I can't carry a custom chair around with me everywhere. Is it my posture? I sit up pretty straight for the most part. Any suggestions would be great.

Answer 1

How old are you? I had the same problems in my early teenage years, turns out I have scoliosis. That caused me enormous pains near my shoulder, blade, and back. I don't have those anymore, but I still have scoliosis which is getting a little more pronounced with age. Check into it. If you're young enough, they can stop the progression with a brace that is worn while you're growing.
If you're older, then it may be your posturing. Could be from malaligned hips or problems with the feet as well. Might be worthwile to have x-rays taken and evaluated.

Answer 2

It is muscles not the chair(s)

Like when you are sitting as your computer there are lots of muscles at work not just your arms and hands. Your lower back if not supported, upper back supported or not, shoulders, and neck are all being taxed. The same muscles when tighter than they should be can put pressure on nerves that cause different levels of pain (including tingling and pins and needles). Sometimes (and it is smart to start here) it is aggravated by a misaligned skeletal structure, which a chiropractor can help with not just alignment but shrinking muscle damage that may exist by using ultrasound. The muscles themselves (due to any number of factors) have knots called trigger points that need to be relaxed. And they can be found as far away from your hands as your lower back. So a next good step is to work with a massage therapist. I would recommend doing this until the pain that you are feeling now and any from reaching the sore hand over onto the opposite shoulder are gone.

Much pain is from muscles below is an example of what may help (based on headaches).
Begin with a couple swigs of molasses or a couple of bananas (natural muscle relaxers) daily - magnesium (which regulates many things in the body) and potassium (a needed building block for muscles).
Drink at least 1/2 gallons of water per day. Running a body low on water is like running a car low on oil is the analogy the head of neurology at UCDavis told my husband about 10 years ago.

Now to the cause - muscles - your back, neck shoulders and head have tender spots. They are knots in the fibers of the muscles called trigger points. It makes the muscles tight which makes them press on nerves and other things causing the pain.

The cure - start with a professional massage, (if this does not do it you probably need a chiropractor as well) you will also want to go back over any place you can get to 6-12 times per session up to 6 times per day rubbing (or lightly scratching on your head) every where that is tender until the knots go away. Press up under the edge of the skull (to get to those muscles).

For more information read The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Davies. It teaches what to do and where the pain comes from.

Answer 3

Well.. that depends..

Have you seen a doctor yet? Perhaps a chiropractor or physical therapist, or even an accupuncturist. You might have a pinched nerve, which will cause pain on some parts of your body. I have pinched nerve in my lower back which gives me pain in my leg sometimes, and I am currently getting accupuncture therapy. Given enough time, it could cure it completely.

The chair may have nothing to do with it, but it could still help you get a better posture.

Answer 4

you may think you are sitting right but you are probably leaning too much on your right side.i do it too. try changing your sitting position