Mid Back Pain

I've had chronic mid back pain for going on 20 years.  I believe the original problem was a pulled muscle due to bowling.  I was off work for 6 months in excruciating pain for the first month and things gradually got better.  The nuero and ortho guys were sure it was a disc problem.  The (2) chiropractors thought it was an alignment problem.  After a year, I saw a physiatrist who diagnosed the problem as muscular.  Unfortunately by this time there was permanent damage and the muscles in my upper back are subject to getting too tight.  Due to my midlifre crises 3 years of Tae Kwon Do I also have 2 herniated discs in my neck (stupid stretching on my part, doing something "not recommended without checking with your doctor).

Now that 've said all that, my question for you is what do you do for a living?  Working at a computer with a computer mouse (like I did for years) puts extra strain on the muscles of the upper back that can cause tightness.  If you are sitting for long periods in the same position, you may be getting the muscles in your bakc too tight.  If this sounds like your isssue, I would suggest getting some PT and learn about what stretching and strengthening exercises would be useful.  I also bought a Theracane for self-massage of trigger points in my back and neck that keeps me from needing PT more often.

Thanks, that sounds like it could be the culprit.  I work in IT and spend a disproportianate amount of my day sitting at a computer.  I've been looking at various back strengthening exercises but it sounds like it's time to go see an actual PT and get their opinion.  I'd hate to end up making things worse and having to live with it down the road.  Thanks for the response!

Jason