Question
Good evening Dr,

For the past week and a half I have had a strange spasm in my mid back on the left side, below my shoulder blade, it feels like it is in the center of my body, and not near the surface.  It does not hurt at all (but is uncomfortable), but feels like it is rapidly contracting for a few seconds at a time, and then it stops and comes back a few minutes later.  Sometimes this happens repeatedly for a few hours, other times it stops for a period of time.  I have not injured this area as far as I know.  I exercise 3x a week including some weight training (not extremely heavy).  I am under an above average level of stress right now and perhaps that is a contributing factor.  I was wondering if you have had patients with a similar problem, and whether it should be chiropractically treated or if this sounds unrelated to muscle strain and I should seek a different diagnostic approach.  When I sneeze it seems to aggravate this as well, if that means anything.

Thanks for any advice,

Mike D

Answer
the involved muscle may be the diaphragm. wether it is or not, such symptoms are usually produced by nerve interference to the affected muscle. this interference originates in the upper neck, and requires precise correction. i recommend you seek an HIO METHOD chiropractor. i would accept no substitutes.