There are those of you suffering from chronic pain or spasms in your neck, shoulder s , or mid-back. X-rays and MRI results are normal. The answer could be First Rib Fixation Syndrome. Doctors tend to overlook this syndrome as part of their first examination and diagnosis. This syndrome can be a long-held issue developed over time. Common causes include bad posture, long hours at the desk, over exercising, moving heavy objects, having a physical job, or possibly sustaining an injury.
Over time, a muscular imbalance occurs known as The Upper Crossed Syndrome which elevates the first rib. When this happens, shoulder muscles the subscapularis and infraspinatus load up with trigger points, resulting in weakness and pain. With muscles now compromised, the shoulder is unable to move normally.
People then tend to compensate for the pain by rounding the shoulders forward and jutting the head out further from the neck. The neck muscles scalenes, serratus anterior, and sternocleidomastoid overcompensate and develop more active trigger points. Referred pain from these new trigger points manifests as what may seem like random, erratic symptoms.
Since these muscles attach to the first rib, even more elevation occurs. The trapezius muscle in the back then goes into immediate self-protection mode, resulting in tightness and spasm.
This has a tendency to compress the brachial plexus and subclavian artery to eventually throw the person into a possible state of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. Sleeping habits play a large part in the development and treatment of this syndrome.
