Cramped Muscles (Shoulder Blades)

jotate

For a couple years, the muscles in my shoulders blades will tighten up and cramp while I'm just sitting somewhere. It's difficult to explain, but the muscles just feel like they constantly need stretched out, but I can't stretch them. I'm sure this is caused by the fact that I sit in an office chair for a large part of the day, but I'm wondering if there's any deficiency that can make this worse.

I asked today because I'm sitting here in subtle agony. They don't hurt...it's just uncomfortable to the point that I can't do anything. I can't concentrate on anything I'm working on, but I can't just leave. Anyone experience this? Know any stretches or vitamins or something I can do to work this out? I'm gonna have to find a new career path if sitting at a desk is going to destroy my shoulder muscles.

Shogun

Get some potassium. Eat a couple of bananas for starters.

starmanbrand

Try Shoguns advice.

Also, my foot cramps up if I hold it in a certain position for about 8 seconds. Like. Bad.

Maybe you are posturing your shoulders in some similar way that causes them to do that. Try sitting differently?

Nitsuj82

Yeah, I'd say it's your posture. You could try getting a new chair or one of those shoulder braces that essentially forces you to have good posture. It's got two rings for your arms to go through with an elastic band in between them. I'm pretty sure you can get them at any drug store.

life3

First thing I thought was, also, get some bananas.

witch_ie

If it's really bothering you, I would suggest going to see a chiropractor. I know a lot on this board are not fond of them, but they might be able to give you some exercises to do to help stretch or loosen those muscles if simply having better posture doesn't work.

Glorfindel

witch_ie wrote: »

If it's really bothering you, I would suggest going to see a chiropractor. I know a lot on this board are not fond of them, but they might be able to give you some exercises to do to help stretch or loosen those muscles if simply having better posture doesn't work.

well in that case he should see a physiotherapist, who is much better than a chiropractor at this sort of thing

alcoholic_engineer

Glorfindel wrote: »

witch_ie wrote: »

If it's really bothering you, I would suggest going to see a chiropractor. I know a lot on this board are not fond of them, but they might be able to give you some exercises to do to help stretch or loosen those muscles if simply having better posture doesn't work.

well in that case he should see a physiotherapist, who is much better than a chiropractor at this sort of thing

I have been to both, and to be honest I prefer the chiro. personally because I work out a fair bit I only need to go once or twice a year but the difference they make is spectacular.


As well, try working out and lifting weights if you dont do that already, it makes a big difference. Also you can try lying on your back on the floor with something under your knees for a couple hours every so often, you would be amazed at the difference that it makes on the way your back feels.

Glorfindel

alcoholic_engineer wrote: »

Glorfindel wrote: »

witch_ie wrote: »

If it's really bothering you, I would suggest going to see a chiropractor. I know a lot on this board are not fond of them, but they might be able to give you some exercises to do to help stretch or loosen those muscles if simply having better posture doesn't work.

well in that case he should see a physiotherapist, who is much better than a chiropractor at this sort of thing

I have been to both, and to be honest I prefer the chiro. personally because I work out a fair bit I only need to go once or twice a year but the difference they make is spectacular.


As well, try working out and lifting weights if you dont do that already, it makes a big difference. Also you can try lying on your back on the floor with something under your knees for a couple hours every so often, you would be amazed at the difference that it makes on the way your back feels.

no

if he is going to be following any advice regarding exercises, it should be a physio's, because he/she, after examining and treating him, will give him exercises that will strengthen any deficiency in his back. wrong exercises could make it worse

physio's have a much better knowledge than chiropractors about this sort of thing. chiro's are flashier, but physio's are much better in the long-run.

JohnnyCache

Dude, seriously, this could be something as simple as a mis-adjusted office chair. There's some things online where you can figure out your proper chair settings. One place I worked was HUGE on this for some reason.

Other ergo culprits include the monitor being way too low and a really full wallet, believe it or not.

Blake T

Cramping is also called by dehydration.

jotate

Thanks for the advice, all. Bought some bananas and I'm trying to stay hydrated. Working out does seem to relieve the condition, but it comes back most afternoons. It's got to be caused by the fact I'm constantly sitting in this chair. Though I tend to change my posture pretty often when I'm sitting here, it seems odd that it would have something to do with the chair itself (rather than just the fact I'm sitting here for hours).

JohnnyCache

How long do you really sit at a time and how long do you get up for? I'm talking about like bathroom runs, coffee breaks, etc.

jotate

JohnnyCache wrote: »

How long do you really sit at a time and how long do you get up for? I'm talking about like bathroom runs, coffee breaks, etc.

I get up usually about 2 minutes at a time...once every 45-60 minutes probably.

JohnnyCache

ahm, dude, you could just be cramping from inactivity

try actually walking around for 5-10 minutes a day at least

we aren't designed to sit in cubes, man.

jotate

I've been going to the gym and doing the elliptical for an hour every other day. So it's not like I'm inactive. Increasing the longevity of my hourly breaks might help. It's difficult to find something to do for 5-10 minutes in an office. They don't look kindly to playing hopscotch in the halls.

...though they should. Maybe if I make a Jump To Conclusions mat...

JohnnyCache

It's the holding still for long periods, not just the total inactive time. You can't just carry a cup of coffee and some files around? That pretty much allows you to walk wherever you want. Just ask yourself "Is this good...for the company?" before you go to far with it.

rockclimbcoach

I don't think it's from sitting all day. I certainly don't think sitting helps, but I don't think it's the route cause. I have the same issue. It doesn't happen every day, but when it does it feels like it is impossible to make it go away. For me it usually cramps during the evening when i sit or while i'm sleeping. I used to have a job where I sat everyday all day and I thought that had something to do with it, but now my job has me on my feet all day and it still happens. I am very active and sometimes notice that it gets worse the more active I am at that time. Also nights that I have a drink or two it is worse. That said I think it's more likely the dehydration issue, and I'm sure bananas wouldn't hurt. I could eat more. If I stay consistent with stretching my back it helps too. Just a forward bend while standing or sitting, being sure to completely relax your head down, which is uncomfortable. If straight legs are difficult, do a forward bend with your legs in butterfly. again letting your head drop. I just try to hold it for 30 seconds or so. Do it more often if you have to, just don't do it to the point where you strain or pull something!