Pain in the back under your shoulder blade is pretty common, but it can also be a warning sign of more serious conditions. It’s important to take a few simple steps to relieve the pain and prevent it from coming back.
Over-the-counter pain medications like NSAIDS and Tylenol are helpful for most cases of shoulder blade pain. Ice can also help ease inflammation and swelling.
Causes
Pain in the back between the shoulder blades can result from a number of different conditions. Some are acute, while others develop over time due to an injury or the progression of diseases. Regardless of the cause, persistent shoulder blade pain should be evaluated by a doctor, as it could be a warning sign of serious problems.
Acute injuries include muscle strains or sprains that affect the rhomboid muscles in your back. These can be caused by bad posture or lifting a heavy object. Chronic back and neck conditions like spinal stenosis, a pinched nerve in the neck spine, arthritis, and herniated discs in the neck or upper spine can also cause shoulder blade pain.
Sometimes pain in the back between the shoulder blades is a symptom of a heart attack. This is especially common in women, and it is accompanied by chest pain and shortness of breath. Other serious causes of shoulder blade pain include peptic ulcer disease, acid reflux, liver diseases, pancreatitis, and gallstones.
Symptoms
The most common reason for pain in the back under your shoulder blade is a tense muscle. The area around the muscle will feel tight and tender to touch, like a knot. This usually happens from doing too much, such as throwing a ball repeatedly for sports or exercise.
Another common cause is neck conditions, such as slipped disc or spinal stenosis. This condition causes a narrowing of the space in your spine, which can cause a pinched nerve. Arthritis in the neck or a herniated disk can also cause shoulder blade pain.
Pain in the back under your shoulder blade may also be a sign of serious health problems, such as a heart disease or lung cancer. If your pain is accompanied by other symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. Consult an interventional spine specialist, such as Dr. Freeman at Redefine Healthcare, to minimize your pain and get long-term relief. The doctor uses cutting-edge non-surgical pain treatment to find the source of your shoulder blade pain and treat it effectively.
Treatment
In many cases, when the shoulder blade pain is due to a strain or other musculoskeletal injury, a short period of rest will allow the muscles to heal and adjust to future loads. For severe or persistent back pain, seek the guidance of a doctor who specializes in the musculoskeletal system (orthopedist).
More serious causes of shoulder blade pain may be symptoms of a heart condition, such as a thoracic aortic dissection or pericarditis. If the pain is accompanied by other red flag symptoms, such as chest pain and shortness of breath, seek emergency medical treatment immediately.
Other causes of shoulder blade pain may include a scapulothoracic bursitis (pain from the space between your ribcage and scapula), myofascial pain syndrome, gallbladder problems, such as cholecystitis, or shingles. To reduce these conditions, try lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications. You can also use a foam roller or massage ball to self-massage the area of your body that is tender.
Prevention
Getting a good night’s sleep, eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly help to prevent shoulder blade pain.
A nagging pain in the back under your shoulder blade, also known as scapula, may be due to a simple muscle strain. However, it can also be a sign of a serious illness such as lung cancer or heart disease. It can even be a symptom of fibromyalgia, a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain and fatigue.
If you experience a sharp, stabbing pain that comes and goes, see your doctor right away. Other symptoms that indicate a more serious problem include trouble swallowing, chest pain or shortness of breath.
X-rays, blood tests and imaging tests can detect problems with your muscles, bones and organs. For example, a complete blood count can detect infections, and a high C-reactive protein (CRP) level may indicate inflammation. Your doctor might order a chest X-ray or computerized tomography (CT) scan, which uses low-dose ionizing radiation to view your internal structures.pain in back under shoulder blade
