Rhomboid and riding

[Robster]

Hi all

TLDR: Has anyone had issues with the rhomboid muscle and how did you fix it?

Had a very stiff rhomboid muscle in my right shoulder for far too long, it hurts almost constantly but is aggrevated by riding. If I get off and stretch it helps but the pain returns very quickly. It's a dull ache and a major annoyance which is putting me off riding.

Currently seeing both a chiropractor and physio but the pain doesn't seem to be subsiding. They've recommended a few exercises which I do daily but it's not getting any better. They have put it down to poor posture.

I've got a foam roller, a lacrosse massage ball, do daily stretches and been going to the gym for most of this year.

Put the bike away for a month and it didn't improve. I try not to be sat down too long at work and keep moving, pain comes and goes throughout the day. It feels horrible, like a bag of gravel under the skin and its not nice to massage it. Painkillers and anti-inflammatorys help but don't want to rely on them.

Would dearly love to do some touring next year but this is stopping me.

FYI I ride a VFR 750 with GBMoto bar risers, have considered something more upright but tbh I think I'd have the same issue on any bike.

Ta
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Up the bum no babies.

[Monkeywrenche...]

[Hawkeye1250FA]

I have (Had) the same issue, caused by a slight curvature of the spine putting too much pressure on one side of my neck (right).

Regular sports massage and keeping the speed below 85 on the Mway does the trick.

It only really causes me a lot of discomfort if I go over 90 for long periods...

And FYI it was far far worse on my sports bike, having a sit upright tourer made a LOT of difference.

[Robster]

[el_oso]

right handed by any chance

bit of a tricky area the shoulder, there's so many connections, what seems to be a completely unrelated muscle can be responsible.

what's your day job? i.e do you sit at an office desk all day?

Repeated aggravation like this could be down to muscle weakness or lack of mobility somewhere in the shoulder. If your're getting a burning like sensation then your rhomboid is working harder than what it should be. You and your physio need to work out what it is. Try move your shoulder throughout it's full range of motion and comparing the other arm. Try everything, flexion, extension, internal rotation, external rotation,everything. see where you are different arm to arm
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Duke 390
Previous: '05 XR125L | '96 XJ600S Diversion |'05 Suzuki GSXR1000 | '05 Honda CBR125-R | '97 YZF 600R Thundercat | '11 Honda CBR250
Car: Jeep Wrangler 4.0L

[owl]

My trapezium has been acting up recently
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Observation is the greatest source of wisdom.

[Robster]

[andi]

If one of your discs is worn, it can cause slight spinal instability. Your body tries to stabilise the joint by contracting the muscles causing stiffness and discomfort. The things you are trying are correct but its a bitch. It can't heal so symptom relieve is as good as it gets. It will most likely get worse with age. Sorry but welcome to my world. Cycling on a stretched out road helps me.
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Before: Suzuki GT 185. Honda Superdream 250. Yamaha RD350LC. Suziki RG250. Yamaha FZS600. Honda CBR600F3
Now: Honda Fireblade 929

[G]

As far as the riding goes - do you make sure you keep your arms loose, using your knees and 'core' to keep your body stable?

This not only isolates your arms/shoulders from braking forces, but also ensure you have the best control on the bars, as you don't have your body weight pushing against the bars.

[Robster]

[thx1138]

a little, but this might be because I've been riding with bent handlebars for over a year now