When I turn my head to my left, upper back pain strikes...?

Question

I wrestle and box and so I believe I may have injured my upper back/lower neck last night in wrestling. I have this pain in what seems to be my thoracic area (between shoulder blades) only on the left side of my spine, almost as if it's against it, but this isn't muscle pain. It feels deeper. It is in constant pain, but especially hurts when I lean my head forward all the way or when i turn my head toward my left. It hurts when I turn my head right, but not nearly as much.

Could this be of cervical origin because it hurts when twisting my head the most? Is this a pinched nerve? Is this a common injury with wrestling? I've never seen anyone have this. What are some thoughts on what it could be? What should I do? I'm thinking about acupuncture and visiting a chiropractor just because I know one of each, but would really appreciate possibilities of what this is, that I have everything on the table and can work every angle.

I know I should see a physician, but I just graduated college and am not insured yet.

Answer 1

sounds like you pulled a muscle. Put some heat on it and take some aleve. Just rest for awhile.

Answer 2

you definitely have to see a chiropractor as soon as possible. This could be a pinched nerve. Unfortunately it is common with wrestling. A chiropractor should be able to tell you exactly what it is on the first visit and start therapy to get you better quickly. The faster you get to the doctor the better for your body.

Answer 3

Your body is not used to it. Your body is in a " sweat box" until you turn the AC on and all of a sudden there is this waive of cold air that your body has to deal with. I would say, initially when you turn the AC on, turn it on at a higher temp. and gradually work your way down. let your body get used to it. It doesn't happen in the winter because winter allows your body to adjust to the weather. the temp. goes down gradually not from sweating hot to freezing cold.