Question
Hello,

I am 24 years old, healthy as far as I know, and exercise somewhat regularly (I run and walk a lot around the city I live in).

Just today, I noticed that my back makes a soft grinding sound that I've never heard before, and it only happens whenever I turn my upper body right to left when I'm standing with my back straight (moving my shoulders, not my hips). It seems like it's coming from my upper back, between my shoulder blades. I can kind of feel a slight, soft grinding as well. The sound is louder when I have my mouth open; however, it isn't painful.

I'm not sure if this could be a reason..but for the past month I've been spending a lot of time on my laptop, sitting on the floor with no back support. It isn't comfortable, but I don't have a desk and chair in my new apartment, so this is the only way I've been sitting in front of my computer.

Could it be my bad posture that led to this grinding sound? Or is there something else to this that I should be worried about? I don't usually crack my back, and I've never had any back pain or problems before.

I'm living abroad in France at the moment--so any advice would be greatly appreciated as I'm a bit lost on what to do, ask, or look for!

Thanks very very much in advance,
Liz  

Answer
Liz,

This is common when joints and their surrounding soft tissues are strained.  It sounds to me like you have "postural strain" from prolonged sitting in constrained postures.   The best counter for this is some good ol' exercising.   Also, spend a few minutes periodically laying flat on your back on the floor to counter-act what you're doing by sitting too long at a computer.  Otherwise, more exercise.   This could include brisk walking, taking stairs two at a time, or, simply, going to the gym and getting a good workout.   I'd choose the latter.  

Hope this helps...

Dr. G