Back pain is a common complaint among different age groups.Unpleasant sensations are often noticed in the area between the shoulder blades.Pain syndrome can be associated with spinal pathologies and disorders of internal organs.
The use of pain-relieving ointments and other pain-killers is not possible.Alleviation of discomfort improves well-being, but the pathological process further damages the spine or internal organs.In some cases, back pain between the shoulder blades is a result of metastatic cancer of the lung and stomach.Approach this issue responsibly and entrust the therapy to specialists.
Possible causes of pain
Why does my back hurt in the shoulder blade area?Remember: pain is a symptom of other diseases and not a separate pathology.Only by identifying the root cause of the discomfort can you overcome the disease and get rid of the discomfort.Experts distinguish two categories of causes of pain in the shoulder blades: pathologies of the spinal column, diseases of internal organs.Let's examine each group of possible causes in detail.
Intervertebral hernia
This phenomenon is quite rare;the lumbar region is often affected, not the chest.The pathology is characterized by the fact that the fibrous ring begins to bulge against the background of various negative factors, the distance between the vertebrae decreases significantly, which leads to pinching of the nerve roots.The annulus fibrosus acts as a shock absorber.
Intervertebral hernia of the thoracic region is characterized by the local appearance of pain, sometimes the discomfort spreads to the chest, which resembles the symptoms of respiratory and heart diseases.
Spinal tuberculosis
Many people have forgotten about this disease, but according to statistics, 99% of the world's population is a carrier of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.Due to mechanical damage to the spine, hypothermia or weakened immunity, a tuberculous lesion may develop at the site of the bruise.Pathology cannot always be recognized in time, even on X-rays.
Often, the disease is discovered in an advanced form, when the patient already has many complications and complains of severe pain in the shoulder blades.A characteristic symptom of tuberculosis is an elevated body temperature, a burning discomfort in the chest region, which can spread to nearby tissues.
Muscle tension, hypothermia
Excessive physical activity, improper training in the gym and constant sitting in an uncomfortable position lead to overstretching of the back muscles.Office workers, truck drivers, surgeons and seamstresses are susceptible to this pathology.
The state of health deteriorates due to hypothermia of the body (uncontrolled operation of the air conditioner, draft).The pain in the area of the shoulder blades increases, the patient needs to take NSAIDs and rub with special ointments.Avoid drafts and excessive physical activity.
Scoliosis
Every schoolchild has heard about this disease from teachers and parents while sitting at the table incorrectly.Adults forget about preventive recommendations, which leads to the appearance of scoliosis of various degrees in 50% of the population.The disease is a curvature of the spine, which often affects the chest, neck and spine region.The ribs are closely connected to the chest region, which is why patients complain of pain in the shoulder blades.
The characteristic signs of scoliosis are as follows:
- increased fatigue of the back muscles;
- one shoulder may be higher than the other;
- discomfort in the shoulder blades occurs after physical work, sitting in front of the computer for a long time, or it can accompany the victim constantly.
Spondyloarthrosis
The disease is similar to osteochondrosis;specialists can only notice the differences during a specific series of tests.Spondyloarthrosis is characterized by the destruction of cartilage and the replacement of missing areas with bone tissue, which leads to the formation of protrusions, nerve damage and severe pain in the shoulder blades.
Osteochondrosis
A sedentary lifestyle and obesity lead to dystrophic changes in the joints and spine.Osteochondrosis is diagnosed even in children;the cause of the pain is the inflammatory process in the soft tissues adjacent to the damaged vertebrae, further squeezing the nerves.
Diseases of internal organs
All organs and systems of the body are interconnected;pain in the shoulder blades can indicate many diseases not related to the spine:
- cardiovascular diseases.Heart attacks, coronary artery disease, and angina pectoris can cause severe chest pain that radiates to the shoulder blades.During an acute attack, the discomfort lasts up to five minutes, the blood pressure drops sharply, and a cold sweat appears.In this case, call an ambulance;
- gastrointestinal diseases.Pancreatitis, gallbladder inflammation, and stomach ulcers are common causes of chest pain on different sides.Oncological diseases can also cause discomfort in this area;
- diseases of the respiratory system.Shoulder pain is accompanied by cough, chills, fever and muscle aches.
Back pain during pregnancy
Due to the increased load, the curvature of the spine and the unusual state of the body, patients experience varying degrees of pain while carrying a child.The change in the center of gravity contributes to excessive compression of the vertebrae, which causes discomfort.
Pain in the shoulder blades can accompany the woman after childbirth.This is due to epidural anesthesia, which is often used for caesarean sections.The procedure itself involves the insertion of a special catheter into the epidural space, where it remains for the necessary time without coming into contact with the spinal cord.Painkillers are administered through a catheter, causing the lower part of the body to temporarily lose sensation.
Improper manipulation, sharp turns during catheter insertion and other unforeseen circumstances lead to damage to the membranes and material of the spinal cord.The procedure itself is complex and requires maximum professionalism from the doctor.
Symptoms
The nature of the pain in the shoulder blades is of great importance and helps to reveal the cause of the discomfort:
- chronic - the victim constantly feels bad, has dull pain and periods of "rest".This type is characteristic of osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernias and other chronic diseases of the spine;
- spicy.The patient suddenly feels pain, and the discomfort suddenly disappears.This picture is characteristic of traumatic injuries, pinching of nerve roots and diseases of internal organs.
Listen!In addition, patients may complain of discomfort affecting the entire spine, headaches, and other clinical manifestations of the underlying disease.
Diagnostics
What to do if your back hurts in the shoulder blade area?Patients often do not know which specialist to turn to.It all depends on the nature of the pain, its duration and the negative events preceding the appearance of the discomfort.
The diagnosis is made:
- neurologist.Most victims should consult this doctor because intervertebral hernias and osteochondrosis are accompanied by pinching of nerve roots and corresponding symptoms;
- orthopedic traumatologist.In case of spinal deformation (kyphosis, scoliosis), ankylosing spondylitis, various traumatic injuries of the spinal column, it is advisable to visit this specialist;
- general practitioner or general practitioner.A doctor often solves many problems for patients.Knowing the person's family history and characteristics, the doctor will determine what caused the discomfort or refer you to a more specialized specialist.
Several tests are used to diagnose pain in the shoulder blades: radiography, CT, MRI, blood tests, urine tests.Specific manipulations depend on the nature of the pain and the presence of accompanying discomfort.
Effective treatment options
In the case of acute pain, the main task is to relieve it.Then they find out the cause of the discomfort and prescribe the necessary course of therapy.
In case of discomfort in the shoulder blades, it is recommended:
- temporary pain relief.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used.Depending on the severity of the discomfort, drugs are used in the form of tablets, ointments, injections;
- physiotherapy treatment (magnet therapy, UHF, shock wave therapy, mud therapy).In the case of spine problems, physiotherapeutic influence on the area of the shoulder blades is a mandatory aspect during the therapy.Manipulations relieve pain and reduce inflammation.Such methods cannot be used in cancerous or infectious diseases that involve pus formation;
- massage, manual therapy.It can only be used for pain caused by pinched nerve roots or damage to the vertebrae.Effects on the spine help to stretch it and relax the muscles;
- poultices, body lotions.Dimexide (1:3) and alcohol (1:1) are used in proportion to water.The poultice copes with discomfort and relieves inflammation.Soak the gauze in the prepared infusion, wrap it in cellophane and let it stand for two hours.After the procedure, a gel or ointment should be applied.
Diseases of internal organs are treated differently, taking into account the stage of development of the pathology.In each case, the doctor selects an individual therapy course.Self-medication is harmful to health and even life.
Preventive measures
It is important not to prevent the discomfort itself, but the root causes.
Expert recommendations:
- Massage regularly;
- avoid excessive exercise, but light exercise has a beneficial effect on the ligament;
- avoid drafts, hypothermia;
- eat right, try to give up bad habits.
Timely contact with a specialist plays an important role in the case of pain between the shoulder blades.Pathological changes do not develop in one day.The sooner you start treatment, the higher the probability of a full recovery and the risk of irreversible consequences for the body is minimized.