Pain under your shoulder blade can be a persistent and disabling problem. It can make it hard to do everyday tasks, such as reaching for something on a high shelf or twisting your torso.
In rare cases, pain between the shoulder blades may be a sign of a serious heart condition. This is called referred pain, and it can be caused by cancerous tumors or a tear in the large blood vessel servicing your heart (the aorta).
Causes
The shoulder blade region contains a complex mix of muscles, bones and tissue. Pain in this area can come from any of these areas, depending on the condition causing it. Typical causes include muscle strain, which can occur if you lift something heavy with poor form or you exercise improperly. A neck injury or spine problem, like a herniated disc, may also cause back pain by shoulder blade.
A condition called peptic ulcer disease, which creates open sores in the lining of your stomach or upper small intestine, can lead to pain by shoulder blade, especially after eating. This is because acid from your stomach flows up into the esophagus, irritating this area of the body.
Pain in this area can also be caused by a medical condition such as shingles, which occurs when you get the chicken pox later in life. It can also be a sign of heart or lung problems, such as pericarditis or aortic dissection (which is a serious medical emergency). Pain in this area can also be referred from other organs, including the gall bladder, lungs and kidneys.
Symptoms
The muscles and tissues that comprise the area between your shoulder blades are especially susceptible to injury from sudden movements or repetitive stresses. You can also develop pain from herniated or displaced disks, which push painfully into nerves. These issues can result from sports or work activities that involve lifting, throwing, overhead arm movement or poor posture.
Other conditions that can cause pain in this region include shingles, which causes burning or tingling with a preceding rash, and gallstones. If you have these problems, your doctor can prescribe medications or recommend physical therapy and other treatments.
In rare cases, pain felt between the shoulder blades can be a warning sign of a heart attack or other serious condition. If this occurs, you should seek emergency medical treatment. In most cases, however, shoulder blade pain is due to a musculoskeletal cause. It will usually disappear with rest and proper treatment. The following steps can help prevent shoulder blade pain:
Diagnosis
The pain felt under the shoulder blades can be caused by a variety of different conditions. Muscle strains are common causes and can be relieved by rest, ice packs, stretching exercises and taking over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen. If the pain is persistent or preventing you from sleeping, consulting a specialist may be beneficial.
Certain heart conditions can cause referred pain in the upper back between the shoulder blades. This includes aortic dissection (tearing of the aorta, which is the largest blood vessel that services your heart), pericarditis (inflammation of the lining of the heart) and heart attack.
Depending on the history and physical examination, imaging studies such as plain X-rays of the cervical spine, chest or shoulder, CT or MRI may be performed to evaluate your condition and determine what is causing the pain under the shoulder blade. Once the diagnosis is reached, treatment can begin. If the pain is due to a muscle knot, a massage technique such as myofascial release can be used to break up these tight muscles.
Treatment
To diagnose the cause of your shoulder blade pain, your health care provider will review your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam is also important. Your doctor may ask you to stand up and reach overhead or to walk back and forth to see how far your muscles can move before the pain gets worse.
Over time, repetitive activities like throwing a ball or lifting weights can strain the muscles between your shoulder blades. Mild muscle strains can be treated with ice, over-the-counter pain relievers and stretching exercises.
If you experience a sharp pain between your shoulder blades, call emergency services. This could be a sign of a heart attack, which often also causes pain in the chest. A rupture or tear in the aortic arch that extends from your heart can also cause pain between your shoulder blades. This is a serious condition and requires immediate treatment. The pain from a heart attack or aortic dissection is typically sharp and felt in the center of your chest.manchester chiropractor
