You mentioned that now the opposite side is involved. That's to be expected: above all, the body wants balance. So, hypertension on one side of the body will eventually create hypertension on the opposite side. I take it that you are seeing a massage therapist as well as a physical therapist?

Hard to make a diagnosis from a photo. But to me it appears likely that your subscapularis contains very active trigger points. Not only will they refer pain to seemingly unrelated areas of the back, but the chronic contraction at the lateral border is pulling the scapula forward, creating hypertonicity in the rhomboids and probably in the posterior superior serratus. Regardless of the etiology, it's a virtual certainty that you now have active trigger points all over your back...in supraspinatus, subscapularis, teres minor, posterior serratus superior and inferior, anterior serratus, infraspinatus, the rhomboids, the traps, and in the TOS group (i.e., all three scalenes, pec minor and perhaps even in the coracobrachialis).

Richard D may have surmised the original source of your problem. Exalted by your great performance in the meet, you went to bed still excited, tense, and slept very soundly. Do you perhaps sleep predominantly on the problem side, perhaps with that arm extended forward? If so you could have unintentionally limited blood flow to the area when it needed it most. Then when you awakened, tight and experiencing the burning pain that sometimes results from neuromuscular compression during deep sleep, you logically performed your stretching routine, and inadvertently made it worse.

If you aren't seeing a massage therapist certified in neuromuscular therapy and myofascial release, my advice is to do so ASAP.

Hi,

So sorry you're having these problems.

You describe it all too well.

Sometime etiology may not be as important as a fix or workaround.

for my winged scapulas, I've had many, many hours of therapy, myofascial release, aqua therapy, stretches, yoga, 2 lbs bumbells, Kinesio taping (trememdous helper for winged scapulas) , stallette ganglion injections into my scalenes, trying to stabilize scalenes to help everything - didn't do the trick - also had botox to scalenes - helped just don't last.

Lidoderm 5% patches.

BackMagic spine alignment board.

Miracle Ball Set. and oversized tennis balls, mostly for lower back and thoracic spine, but will put in between scapulas.

I also used a Theracane for my scapulas and related muscle spasms.

e-stim during PT sessions. Moist heat.

Stretches after a shower. Lying on my back with a rolled towel longways up and down my spine. I would stretch my arms out and SLOWLY raise them to center and SLOWLY lower them.

I have also used LED and infra red light therapy pads to my scapulas. They helped tremendously.

Of late, I have found that keeping my arms, shoulders, scalenes and scapulas fleece warm cuts down on my pain tremendously.

Don't know if any of these might help, but just some things to share that have helped me.

Oh, also a hairdryer on a stand is a must.

Would be glad to explain or share any details you may need to understand what I've written here.

I hope you find some peace with your situation.

great tips! i forgot about k-tape i need to do that again