Cramp between shoulderblades

[WUTiger]

Went out to play last week and temperature was about 70* with breeze and overcast. I was starting to sweat a bit with a windshirt on, so I took it off and went with short sleeves. About a hole later, I felt a cramp between shoulderblades. I had trouble loosening up. On tee shot I hooked the ball, and followed up with a bad push.

Did some stretches and swang SKLS Golf Flex like a baseball bat, but cramp persisted. Next hole was a par 3, so I just punched an iron shot low and chipped on.

I put the windshirt back on, cramp went away, but I started sweating again.

Anybody experienced anything like this? Any swing adjustments if midback locks up?

In future, I should probably wear a long-sleeve polo with open collar. Or, sweater vest over short sleeves.

Edited October 3, 2017 by WUTiger

[Mr. Desmond]

No, haven't had cramps in that area. If the back locks up, it's time to go home.

I take preventative measures - stretch for 20-30 minutes before going to the range or playing. Drink water, and recently started using Swing Oil - think guys in their 50+ range feel its effects more than younger guys. I also get a licensed therapist to beat me up each month - they call it a massage. Always surprised at what part of me is tight - but he always starts with the back because some part of it is always tight.

Edited October 3, 2017 by Mr. Desmond

[boogielicious]

6 hours ago, WUTiger said:

Went out to play last week and temperature was about 70* with breeze and overcast. I was starting to sweat a bit with a windshirt on, so I took it off and went with short sleeves. About a hole later, I felt a cramp between shoulderblades. I had trouble loosening up. On tee shot I hooked the ball, and followed up with a bad push.

Did some stretches and swang SKLS Golf Flex like a baseball bat, but cramp persisted. Next hole was a par 3, so I just punched an iron shot low and chipped on.

I put the windshirt back on, cramp went away, but I started sweating again.

Anybody experienced anything like this? Any swing adjustments if midback locks up?

In future, I should probably wear a long-sleeve polo with open collar. Or, sweater vest over short sleeves.

I get cramps all the time, everywhere on my body. I am prone to it. Hydration is key, but also electrolytes. Lately I've had very good luck with Vitamin Water Zero.

To alleviate a shoulder blade cramp, bend over and let your arms hang down. Let the shoulder blades move apart and breath slow and deep. Relax the muscles.Cramps there are similar to diaphragm cramps because it is a muscle that moves a lot. Do this for 30 seconds to a minute. Then stand up and stretch your arms, one arm across the chest at a time. Then stretch the triceps. You want to loosen the muscles around the area too.

Lastly, do slow rotations to loosen the lower back, then easy swings. 

It may take a few minutes or repeats of the above to eliminate them.

[WUTiger]

Thanks to @Mr. Desmond and @boogielicious,

I'm playing a tourney on a tight course this weekend, and the last thing I need is mid-back cramps.

When I got them last week, it was a new type of cramp I never felt before. Ah... the joys of over-60 golf!

[Typhoon92]

Was it a cramp or a pinched nerve maybe?  I get the occasional pinched nerve out of nowhere...locks me up.

[Buckeyebowman]

I think I'd rather sweat my butt off rather than have a cramp in my back! I got cramps in my lower back many, many years ago. I couldn't sit down, lay down, stand up, or do anything! It was pure agony! Give me sweating anytime! At least I can move when I sweat.

[chspeed]

On 10/3/2017 at 10:42 AM, WUTiger said:

 

When I got them last week, it was a new type of cramp I never felt before. Ah... the joys of over-60 golf!

Don't want to be a Debbie downer, but have you been screened for heart disease lately? My cousin, who is 49, had unusual cramps in his upper back, and turned out he needed a quintuple bypass!

Edited October 24, 2017 by chspeed

[WUTiger]

I had bypass back in 2005, and am on cholesterol medications now.

These were surface muscle cramps, not the deeper cramps associated with cardiac episodes. Thanks for the thought, though! 

[RussUK]

Whatever you do dont Google the symptoms!!

Have you ever injured that part of your back? Only asking as you said the cramps came on when you took the windstopper off and went when you put it back on.

I have shocking knees and they ache a lot more when its cold. Maybe the relative coldness on your back (having sweated making it feel colder) is just causing your muscles to tighten.

Have you thought of getting a more breathable windstopper (something with Goretex) or wearing a gillet? Just something to keep your core a little warmer but not sweat too much.