Intercostal nerve pain? Help needed ASAP

[regina]

Hello,
I have a client that is having a pain that runs from his scapula to his spine about the 6th vertabrae (sp?). I can feel a band of something movable about the width of my pinky. It's soft and doesn't feel like a muscle. When he moves his arm forward it doesn't hurt but when he brings it back it does. He thinks maybe his scapula is pinching a nerve? I didn't want to do any massage since it may be an inflamed nerve and would make it worse. Any ideas, suggestions, or input on what this could be? Help? Please???? He's totally miserable.

 

[alabamaman]

I would honestly send him out for a medical diagnosis. An EMG needs to be done to determine if there is any nerve damage occuring. Also are you referring to the 6th thoracic vertebrae? You can count down by using the most prominant vertebrae at the base of the neck, that is the 7th cervical vertebrae. But definitely, I would avoid the area until a diagnosis is determined.