I started having mild pain in between my shoulder blades, more to the left, approximately a year ago. It has since then gotten much worse. There are times when I have pain running down the right and left sides of my neck, into the the left shoulder blade. It has become so bad that I can no longer swim (avid swimmer), run, etc. The newest symptom is stabbing pain approx. 2 inches below my shoulder blade, into my ribs.

I first went to a chiropractor the summer of 2008. He came into the room, aligned me, and left in less than 3 minutes (yes, I timed him the last time I went). I always felt way worse after I went but as assured that was normal... I thought it was a waste of money and stopped going after 10 visits.

I began seeing my PCP in October of 2008 for the pain. He gave my some pain killers and told me to exercise. After a few weeks, I went back to see him because his recommendation did not work. He then told me that if the pain was so bad that pain killers did not work than I needed to go to the ER. However, I did not. He thought I was there for the drugs. HA!

In January I finally got in with a spine specialist (a neurologist at a spine center). He ordered a TENS unit for me, physical therapy, and muscle relaxers. I have also had xrays of my ribs and spine but they did not show anything. I have been going to Physical Therapy for 5 months now, once a week. While I have strengthened my core muscles from the therapy, the pain is only getting worse. The TENS unit feels great but does not stop the pain, no matter how high I set it and the muscle relaxers do absolutely nothing (I have tried Flexeril and Skelaxin).

I recently have had a MRI of the thoracic spine and will have it read on Friday. However, my doc tells me that he doesn't think it will show anything.

I am desperate to find a diagnosis and solution to this pain. Any ideas of what it could be or what I should do? If it matters, I'm a 27y/o female that is normally active and healthy.