Pain in the back

I've had trouble with my back on and off for twenty years or so. Most of the time it's muscular, lower back pain that results from lifting something or moving in a way that I shouldn't have. With a little time, and sometimes some back stretching exercises like Pilates, it heals and goes away.

One of the bell towers on Saint-Aignan's collégiale church.

My last two episodes of back pain have been very different. I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one on tv, so I can't be certain, but it feels like a pinched nerve. It's centered under my left shoulder blade, high up, close to my neck. Depending on how I move, it sends tingling sensations, and sometimes sharper pains, through my neck, down my arm, and sometimes down my leg (it's just the neck and arm this time).

The last time I had this, I did my Pilates back exercises plus a new stretch that I read about online and the pain cleared up rather quickly. So I'm "back" at it, but the relief has not yet come.

I have a feeling that my current pain episode was triggered by the painting I'm doing in the attic. Not only have I been lifting heavy ten- and twelve-liter tubs of primer up the stairs, but I've been climbing up the scaffolding and wielding brushes and rollers over my head. My back has not appreciated this.

Sitting at my desk is not comfortable, nor is lying down. I lie awake in bed for hours during the night, unable to fall asleep because of the dull pain. I've been taking ibuprofen, and that helps a little, but I don't want to take too much of the stuff. Still, I've got to get the painting done. Maybe once I stop, so will the pain.