# Does uneven upper torso muscle development lead to back pain? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 17, 2006, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-uneven-upper-torso-muscle-development-lead-to-back-pain/353037 "2006-04-17T18:19:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bobalude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bobalude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bobalude)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2006, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-uneven-upper-torso-muscle-development-lead-to-back-pain/353037/1 "2006-04-17T18:19:03Z")
From two sports that I participate in, volleyball and dragonboat racing, I have developed a much stronger set of muscles on one side of my body (right handed attacker, and I specialize paddling only on one side). My shoulders, lats, and the set of muscles over the ribs are noticeably larger in the mirror on my right side. I’m curious if this uneven muscle strength in itself will lead to (lower) back pains and/or any future complications if left as is? ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2006, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-uneven-upper-torso-muscle-development-lead-to-back-pain/353037/2 "2006-04-17T22:38:43Z")
I have seen (sorry, can’t tell you where) an x-ray of the spine of a man who had one arm. The spine was dramatically pulled to one side. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2006, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-uneven-upper-torso-muscle-development-lead-to-back-pain/353037/3 "2006-04-18T02:10:51Z")
If you live long enough, everything will cause back pain.