Back pain around the shoulder blades is a very common complaint in patients of all ages. Such a problem interferes with breathing and causes serious obstacles to physical activity, work, or easy movement.
Patients rarely pay adequate attention to recurrent shoulder pain. However, this symptom is a "wake-up call" to serious changes not only in the locomotor system but also in the internal organ system. Such conditions can put the patient at risk for disability and death.
We then examine the most common causes of shoulder pain and modern therapeutic techniques.
The most common reasons
The scapulae are located in the back of the back, in the immediate vicinity of the humerus and clavicle. These triangular paired bones are part of the frame on which the muscles responsible for shoulder mobility are attached. This is why back pain in the shoulder blades interferes with normal life, affects work ability and poses a serious health risk.
Why does my back hurt in the shoulder area? According to medical statistics, such problems are most often caused by injuries and damage to the elements of the neck and thoracic spine. Severe pain syndrome is observed due to pathological changes caused by scoliosis or osteochondropathy and the following causes:
- diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- intercostal neuralgia;
- scapulohumeral periarthritis;
- disc herniation in the thoracic spine;
- deforming spondylarthrosis;
- scoliosis, kyphoscoliosis and other curvature of the spine;
- failure of one or two kidneys.
If the back hurts in the area of the shoulder blades, it can be caused by diseases, tumors and injuries of the mediastinal organs, herpes zoster, intervertebral neuralgia, liver dysfunction, various pathologies of the pleura and lungs, e. g. and in the long-term performance of monotonous activity in the background of chronic diseases. Drivers, office workers, seamstresses and other professions who remain in one position for a long time are at risk.
Pain in the back on the left side and under the shoulder blades
Back pain under the shoulder blades often occurs due to various forms of osteochondrosis, constipation, and scoliosis. If a teenager’s physiological posture is disturbed, he or she needs a complete diagnosis, well-chosen prevention, and therapy. Otherwise, he may develop pathologies and deformities that are difficult to treat and disrupt normal life.
Spinal pain associated with the causes listed above usually occurs in the form of severe discomfort that occurs after physical exertion. Scoliosis and other curvature of the spine should be treated with massage and manual and osteopathic effects. Pain syndrome localized in the region of the left scapula is a serious threat, as such symptoms may indicate an attack of angina pectoris and the development of coronary heart disease.
If the pain in the area of the shoulder blades on the left side of the back is accompanied by increased tiredness, shortness of breath, weakness and a slight swelling of the face and ankles, see a doctor immediately. Another cause of painful feelings on the left side of the shoulder blades may be a disc herniation. People who are forced to be in an uncomfortable position for a long time, drive a vehicle or work on a computer are at risk.
If the pain is only mildly bothersome, it may be limited to the use of an ointment with a warming or analgesic effect, but in case of worsening, the patient is advised to stay in bed.
Treatment of the intervertebral hernia of the thoracic region includes traction, manual therapy, reflexology, gymnastics, and therapeutic massage. Medical methods for treating such pathologies are currently unknown to conservative medicine. In the case of surgery, the probability of a positive outcome is relatively small and about 30-35%.
In addition, many patients experience relapses at intervals of 10 months to several years.
Pain in the muscles of the back below the shoulder blades and in the area of one of the shoulder blades
Muscle pain between the shoulder blades is usually observed in professional weightlifting athletes and people who are exposed to high levels of physical activity due to the nature of their activities. The causes of muscle pain between the shoulder blades can be:
- various injuries and bruises;
- stretching of tendons;
- overload while working out or working out in the gym.
If one of the shoulder blades is very sore, the pathology can be triggered by myopathy, nerve infection, paralysis of the anterior serrate, trapezoidal or diamond muscles, various deformities of the shoulder joints, tuberculosis of the shoulder blade or osteomyelitis, which can lead to purulence or osteomyelitis. poisoning of the body.
peptic ulcer
Pain syndrome localized in the region of the shoulder blades often indicates the presence of a dangerous disease such as a stomach ulcer. In this case, the discomfort and discomfort may extend along the thoracic spine to the nipple and shoulder blade on the left side. The pain gradually increases, is characterized by seasonality and periodicity, and disappears after emptying the stomach contents with vomiting. In addition, most patients experience symptoms such as belching, salivation, and heartburn.
This is interesting! The perforation of the peptic ulcer is greatly increased even during minor activity, and to get rid of it, the patient must take a forced position on his back or right side, pressing his hip to the abdomen. This phenomenon is accompanied by increased excitement, fear attacks, and an intolerable pain syndrome that radiates to the area above the collarbone.
Abscesses and muscle cramps in the bile ducts
The cutting and stabbing pain that occurs just below the shoulder blades on the right side is often caused by blockage of the bile duct stones. This results in colic, severe pain syndrome and the following symptoms:
- the presence of "rupture" sensations in the right hypochondrium;
- sudden pain attack;
- nervousness, irritability;
- pain radiating to the eyes, jaw, neck and right shoulder.
Above the waist, pain syndrome localized around the right scapula may be caused by a subdiaphragmatic abscess characterized by a very strong discomfort when inhaled, elevated body temperature, and pain radiating to the right shoulder. In an inflammatory process in the kidneys (inflammation of the kidneys, pyelonephritis), the right scapula and lower back cause pain with frequent urination, which causes a number of painful sensations.
Mental problems
Spinal pain between the shoulder blades is often caused by a variety of psychiatric problems. In this case, the discomfort is usually accompanied by the following symptoms:
- shortness of breath;
- feeling of dumplings in the throat;
- paranoid thoughts, unmotivated fear;
- cold chills and heat in the chest;
- feeling of pressure, difficulty, and contraction.
In mental problems, there is often an unpleasant feeling that the heart is "bleeding" or jumping out of the chest and the back is burning around the shoulder blades. Many patients experience chills, internal agitation and restlessness, which can lead to panic attacks.
Intervertebral neuralgia and osteochondrosis of the cervical region
The pain localized under the scapula in the case of intercostal neuralgia is intensified during the paroxysmal belt, palpation, physical activity, gait, and coughing attacks. In some cases, such symptoms are accompanied by excessive muscle tension, a burning sensation, tingling, and loss of sensitivity.
In osteochondrosis and Bechterew’s disease, the pain syndrome often worsens at night, deprives the patient of sleep, and causes great muscle tension in the morning.
With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the following symptoms are observed:
- dizziness;
- increased pain when the neck is sharply bent or extended;
- paresthesia in the shoulder girdle region;
- pain radiating to the arm or head.
Osteochondrosis is recognized by unilateral dull pain in the occipital region. Discomfort usually intensifies in the morning, triggers early awakening, and causes many problems for the patient. To relieve a seizure of cervical osteochondrosis, a hot bath or various medications are used that are selected solely as directed by your doctor.
During pregnancy
During pregnancy, the load on the spine increases in women, so a significant percentage of expectant mothers complain of back pain, including the area of the shoulder blades. Tearing and burning pain, as well as numbness in the shoulder blades, are often associated with changes in hormonal background, which also contribute to the worsening of chronic diseases such as osteochondrosis.
For prevention, some doctors recommend that women use a support bandage during the late trimester of pregnancy and a bandage after childbirth, which reduces the strain on the spine and allows the child to maintain the correct position.
Other reasons
Back pain in the shoulder blades can be caused by angina pectoris or a heart attack. Pain syndrome usually occurs under intense physical exertion and is twisted in nature. Unpleasant sensations are common in the upper left half of the body, and getting rid of them with vasodilators will not work.
In such a case, the negative symptoms should be resolved in a clinical hospital where the patient is prescribed specially selected narcotic analgesics and supportive medications.
Diagnosis and treatment
Before taking any steps to relieve localized pain syndrome in the shoulder blade region, the cause of the pathology that has occurred should be determined. If your back hurts between your shoulder blades, causing tightness and burning in your chest, you should see a doctor right away. Your doctor will choose the best diagnostic method, for example:
- X-rays of the chest and spine;
- Ultrasound;
- electrocardiogram;
- CT scan.
In many cases, manual therapy shows positive results and allows the lumbar and upper back to be strengthened and the muscle tissue supporting the spine to be made more flexible. Osteopathy and reflexology contribute to the activation of regenerative processes and local metabolism. It is advisable to strengthen your muscles regularly by performing a series of individually selected movement therapy exercises.