The back pain is normal! Think about what are first instinct is after heart surgery - to avoid pain, right? We know if we move in a certain way, there WILL be pain, so we limit our movement, causing muscles to constrict and be tense. We turn in toward the injury (sternum),curling up to protect it from further injury. We're limited by the positions we can sleep in the first several weeks after surgery, combined with recovery makes for many MANY sleepless and/or uncomfortable nights. WELL HERE IS WHAT MY PHYSICAL THERAPIST TOLD ME.....and my back pain went away, so I guess he's kinda smart that way.
FIRST, when you are standing and walking, use the most excellent posture you can! I'm talking chin up, shoulders back, spine as straight as you can bear. And really concentrate on standing straight. That uses our core muscles, the ones we rely on for most of our movement. Of course, if it hurts, don't do it! But maybe try for a little straighter the next day.
SECOND, you better be supporting that big fat heavy head of yours! The human head is heavy - like, bowling ball heavy - and the muscles used to support the head run about halfway down your back. So all that time you're in the recliner, you're using those muscles to hold your head up. Pre-surgery it wasn't a big deal, but now? You're wearing out the muscles when you need the energy for more important stuff. Grab a travel pillow, or a rolled up towel or t-shirt - anything! and support your head. See if you can do this while you're sleeping, also.
LAST - Since sleeping flat or side isn't really an option for a while, you need to support your shoulders also, while you're sleeping. Your muscles really need time to relax (without Tramadol!). Try cramming a bed pillow under your upper arms at night. This will help your shoulder muscles relax.
Disclaimer: I am just a school bus driver who went through AVR. I am paraphrasing what my PT told me on my 2nd day home from the hospital. My first 24 hours home were excruciating (except for the shower. That was great!.) When the guy gave me those instructions, my upper back pain was cut in half instantly - seriosuly, the second I stood up straight my muscles screamed at me, "THANK YOU!" lol
I used Tramadol for a sciatic nerve muscle pinch - didn't help at all.
Even today, 17 months later, if I have back aches I stretch up straight and tall and open up my chest area,
I hope this advice helps you a little. keep walking, resting, walking, breathing, walking, resting.....
-Meredith :Smile:
my back hurt after surgery, and then I started getting bad spasms between my shoulder blades about 1 week post op, and sadly I still get them. They are more infrequent, now. Maybe once a month or even two months sometimes. The only thing I found to work was meditation. I literally lay on the floor and try to be as still as possible, and focus on breathing. Otherwise for me the pain was so intense I'd panic. Keeping good mobility in those areas is helpful too. Good luck. Hope you find relief. 
