Chronic upper back pain: need suggestions

[sliceofbread]

I apologize in advance for the long post, and I vastly appreciate ANY help I can get.

Background: Been lifting for ~2 years, previously anorexic. I've deadlifted 365 and benched the 75lb dumbbells for 6 reps. I haven't squated in awhile for reasons explained below.

Around 1 year ago I was lifting using this 3 day per week routine and getting solid gains:
day 1:
deadlift 1x3
rows: 3x8
curls: 3x8

day 2:
bb bench 80-90-100% of 3 rep max
dips 3x8
shoulder press 3x10
skull crushers 3x12

day 3:
squats 2x5
leg press 2x10
calf raises

Problem: I stopped using this routine because I started getting this weird dull pain in my upper lats (like right outside my armpits) that was distinctly different than muscle soreness. In order to try and remedy the problem, I took a couple weeks off, and when I returned I changed my routine by doing db press instead of bb (to be easier on my back), and I switched to high bar squat as opposed to low (I felt high bar was alittle easier on my back).

This worked for awhile, but eventually the pain started coming back, and would return even if I took a couple weeks off. So now I switched to a 2 day routine and stopped squating (felt this was hurting my back the worst)
day 1:
deadlift 1x3
leg press 2x8
dumbell rows 3x8 (really low intensity to keep my back safe)
curls 3x8

day 2:
db bench 2x8
dips 2x8
shoulder press
skull crushers

This also worked for awhile, but now my upper back is hurting worse than ever. I've decided to take 2 weeks off and just swim for awhile. However, I don't want to work really hard just to have back problems AGAIN. I feel like this is really hurting my progress, and it is intensely frustrating.

In my mind there a few probable causes for the problem:
1. STRESS. This past year has been my last year before applying to medical school and I have been very stressed. I am going to been done with everything after this 2 week break, so it will hopefully go down.
2 genetics. my dad has the same back problems, although he doesn't lift
3. When I first started lifting, I think I overtrained my back alittle often, a mistake I deeply regret.

I feel if I ask a doctor what to do, he'll just tell me to stop lifting entirely which is something I can't really do (I feel lifting has made me the person I am today). So I've come to you guys asking what the hell should I do in my situation? I'm pretty desperate and am willing to try pretty much anything.

tl;dr I have pain in my upper back and need a new routine or something to continue working out

Once again thank you very much!

[HIThopper]

If a doc has looked at it and theres nothing ripped/torn or damaged,I would start by finding a good massage therapist. Have you ever had a good deep tissue massage? Once you have done that you can begin "trigger pointing" yourself. I find my upperback and neck are the worst offenders and need daily manipulation to keep me pain free.

heres a good online guide for trigger points and reffered pain for the whole body.I linked the upperback stuff tho

http://www.triggerpoints.net/upper-b...oulder-arm.htm

Let me know if it helps

[sliceofbread]

Originally Posted by HIThopper

If a doc has looked at it and theres nothing ripped/torn or damaged,I would start by finding a good massage therapist. Have you ever had a good deep tissue massage? Once you have done that you can begin "trigger pointing" yourself. I find my upperback and neck are the worst offenders and need daily manipulation to keep me pain free.

heres a good online guide for trigger points and reffered pain for the whole body.I linked the upperback stuff tho

http://www.triggerpoints.net/upper-b...oulder-arm.htm

Let me know if it helps

I guess I really should see a doc, just to be sure that there is no damage (although I doubt anything will come up)

I had never thought of massage therapy, but it is really a great idea. I will definitely look into that. I will also start researching trigger pointing.

Do you have any suggestions routine wise?

Thanks again!

[dbcb314]

Does it hurt to touch?

Does it hurt when you move your arms through normal range of motion?

[sliceofbread]

Originally Posted by dbcb314

Does it hurt to touch?

Does it hurt when you move your arms through normal range of motion?

It never hurts to touch.

The range of motion question is highly variable. Sometimes it will hurt the day after I do a workout involving my back (could something as little as just bench) and sometimes it doesn't hurt until like ~4 days after I've worked out my back. If I take like 2 weeks off from lifting it usually goes away completely.

It's sometimes a sharp pain, but usually it's this weird dull pain that isn't muscle soreness.

[dbcb314]

Can you flex that body part and make it hurt?

Does it hurt to hang from a pull up bar?

[sliceofbread]

It hurts my lats if I flex them.

I hung on a pull up bar and it actually felt kinda good, like stretching.

[dbcb314]

Find someone in your area that can do Graston, ART, or FAKTR technique. It will probably be a chiro or massage guy. Maybe a PT.

[HIThopper]

I dont think its routine based pain, pick a good one and go for it once your healthy.

Get it sorted first tho.