Pain between shoulder blades is something a lot of people get. It can be anything from a little ache to really bad pain. Most of the time, it's just from overusing your muscles or not sitting straight. But sometimes, it might mean that you have a health problem. In this article, we'll explain what can cause this kind of pain, what it feels like, how to treat it, and how to keep it from happening again.
What is Pain Between Shoulder Blades?
Pain between the shoulders, also called "pain in the back of the shoulders", can feel like a lot of different things. You might feel a tightness, an ache, or even a sharp pain in your upper back near your shoulder blades. This pain can be in just one spot, or it might spread out into other parts of your body.
What Causes Pain Between Shoulder Blades?
Pain between the shoulder blades can be caused by many different things. These can be as simple as strained muscles or as complex as health problems. Some common causes are:
Muscle Strain or Overuse
Doing the same thing over and over again, lifting heavy things, or not sitting or standing straight can cause muscle strain, which is when your muscles are overworked and hurt. This can cause pain between the shoulder blades.
Poor Posture
Sitting in a slumped position or working at a computer for a long time can put a lot of strain on the upper back muscles and spine. Over time, this can lead to discomfort and even pain in your back. It's important to be mindful of your posture and take breaks to stretch and move around.
Spinal Issues
Some back issues, like herniated discs or spinal stenosis, can cause pain in the upper back that spreads to the shoulder blades. These problems happen when the discs or bones in your spine get damaged, and they can cause a lot of discomfort.
Nerve Compression
When nerves in the neck or upper back are compressed, it can cause pain, tingling, or numbness between the shoulder blades. This can happen when the nerves are squeezed or irritated by pressure from the spine. This can make it hard to move and be very uncomfortable.
Injuries
When you hurt yourself, like if you fall, get in a car accident, or get hurt while playing sports, it can hurt your muscles, ligaments, or bones in the upper back. This can be very painful and make it hard to move. It's important to get help if you hurt yourself so that you can heal properly.
Gallbladder Problems
Problems with the gallbladder, like gallstones or inflammation, can cause pain in the right shoulder blade area. This is called "referred pain," which means that the pain can spread to a different area of the body. This can be very uncomfortable and can be a sign of a serious problem with the gallbladder.
Heart Conditions
Sometimes, pain in your shoulder blades can be a sign of something wrong with your heart, especially for women. This pain can be a warning sign of a heart attack or angina, which is when your heart doesn't get enough oxygen. If you have this kind of pain, it's really important to get it checked out right away.
Lung Conditions
Problems in the lungs like pleuritis, which is when the lining of the lungs gets inflamed, or a blood clot in the lungs called a pulmonary embolism, can cause pain in the upper back. Lung cancer can also cause pain and make it hard to breathe or cough. These lung problems can be serious and you should talk to a doctor if you have any of these symptoms.
Acid Reflux
When you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also known as acid reflux, stomach acid can flow back into your esophagus and cause pain in your chest and back, including the area between your shoulder blades. This type of pain is called referred pain, because the problem is in one place (your stomach) but you feel the pain in another place (your chest and back). If you have GERD, you may also have heartburn and a sour taste in your mouth. If you think you have GERD, you should talk to your doctor.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a long-term health condition that can cause pain all over your body, including in the area between your shoulder blades. Fibromyalgia can be hard to live with because the pain can be hard to manage and it can happen for a long time. People with fibromyalgia may also have other symptoms like headaches, trouble sleeping, and being tired. If you think you might have fibromyalgia, you should talk to your doctor to see if there are ways to treat your symptoms and make your life easier.
Stress and Tension
Stress and tension can cause tightness and pain in the upper back. When you are stressed, your muscles can get tense and tight. This can lead to pain and discomfort in the upper back. Stress can also cause other problems, like headaches and stomachaches. If you are feeling stressed, you should try to find ways to relax, like taking a walk, reading a book, or spending time with friends and family. You can also try deep breathing exercises or meditation to help you feel less stressed.
Infections or Inflammation
Infections or inflammation, like shingles or infections in your spine, can cause pain in the area between your shoulder blades. Shingles is a rash that can be very painful. If you have shingles or an infection in your spine, you may have pain in the area between your shoulder blades. If you are having these symptoms, you should talk to your doctor. Your doctor can help you to find the cause of your pain and can help you to feel better.
Symptoms Associated with Pain Between Shoulder Blades
Pain between the shoulder blades can cause a lot of different symptoms, and these symptoms can give you an idea of what’s causing the pain. The symptoms of pain between your shoulder blades can include:
Sharp or Dull Pain
Upper back pain can be really annoying. You might experience a sudden sharp, stabbing pain or a more dull, achy feeling that lasts. Both kinds of pain can be uncomfortable, but it's important to pay attention to how it feels so you can take care of yourself.
Muscle Stiffness
If you're experiencing upper back pain, you might find that your muscles in that area feel tight or stiff. This means that it might be hard to move your shoulders or upper back the way you usually do. This can be a common sign that something's not quite right, so pay attention to how your muscles feel.
Burning Sensation
If you have upper back pain, you might feel a burning or tingling sensation between your shoulder blades. This can happen when the nerves in that area are irritated. It can be really uncomfortable, so it's important to take care of yourself if you're experiencing this kind of pain.
Radiating Pain
Upper back pain might not just stay in your upper back! The pain might travel to your neck, arms, or chest, depending on which muscles or nerves are being affected. This means that the pain might not just be in one spot, but could be felt in different parts of your body.
Tingling or Numbness
When nerves in the upper back are pinched or compressed, it can cause tingling, numbness, or weakness in the nearby parts of the body. This can make it hard to feel or use your arms or hands normally and can cause discomfort. Tingling or numbness in the arms or hands can be a sign of nerve issues in the upper back.
Pain with Movement
If you're dealing with pain between your shoulder blades, it might get worse when you move your body in certain ways. Activities like twisting, lifting, or stretching can make the pain worse. This can make everyday activities like getting dressed or carrying groceries a real struggle. If the pain gets worse with movement, it's important to take it easy and give your body some time to heal.
Difficulty Breathing
Having trouble breathing can be a sign that there's something wrong with your lungs or heart. This can make it hurt more when you breathe deeply or do physical activities, if you have one of these conditions. If you're having trouble breathing, it's important to get checked out by a doctor to find out what's causing it.
Pain Related to Eating
Pain that happens after you eat could be because of a health condition like GERD or gallbladder issues. When this happens, the pain might get worse after you eat. If you're having pain that's related to eating, it's important to talk to your doctor to find out what's causing it and how to treat it.
Swelling or Warmth
If you've hurt yourself or have inflammation, the area where you're hurt might get bigger or swollen. It might also feel warm when you touch it. If you're seeing swelling or warmth in the area where you're hurt, it's important to talk to your doctor to find out what's causing it and how to treat it.
Fatigue or Weakness
If you've strained your muscles or have a chronic pain condition, it can make you feel tired or weak all over. This can be especially true in your upper body, where the pain is worst. If you're feeling tired or weak, it's important to talk to your doctor to find out what's causing it and how to treat it.
Associated Symptoms
If you're experiencing back pain, it's possible that there are other symptoms that go along with it. For example, if your back pain is caused by an infection, you might have a fever or a cough. If it's caused by heart problems, you might have chest pain or feel like your heart is beating too fast. These are called "associated symptoms" and they can help a doctor figure out what's causing your back pain.
Diagnosing Pain Between Shoulder Blades
The steps to figuring out what's causing pain between your shoulder blades are usually as follows:
1. Medical History
The doctor will ask questions about the pain and your health. For example, they will ask about when it started, how long it lasts, and whether it is sharp or dull. They will also ask about any accidents, or health problems that may have caused the pain. They will also want to know about other symptoms you may have, like tingling or chest pain.
2. Physical Examination
The doctor will check your back, shoulders, and spine to see if your muscles are tense, inflamed, or painful. They'll see how far you can move your arms and if your posture is off. They'll also check to see if your nerves are causing the pain.
3. Blood Tests
A doctor may ask for a blood test to check for things like infections, inflammation, or problems with your gallbladder. This can help the doctor figure out what's causing the pain in your shoulders. Blood tests are a common way for doctors to learn more about your health.
4. Imaging Studies
X-rays: X-rays are pictures of your bones. Doctors use them to see if there are any problems with your bones, like fractures, arthritis, or abnormalities in your spine. If your doctor suspects a problem with your bones, they may order an X-ray to help find the cause of your shoulder blade pain.
MRI or CT Scans:Â MRI or CT scans use special technology to take clear pictures of the soft parts inside your body, like muscles, ligaments, and nerves. These scans can find problems like slipped discs or pinched nerves in your back. They can help your doctor figure out why you're in pain.
5. Electrodiagnostic Tests
Electrodiagnostic tests, like EMG, can check if nerve problems are the cause of your back pain. These tests can see if your nerves and muscles are working the way they should, which can help your doctor figure out what's wrong.
6. Cardiac Evaluation
If your doctor thinks your back pain might be related to a heart problem, they might do some tests to make sure that's not the case. An ECG or a stress test can help check if you're having chest pain because of angina or a heart attack, and help rule out these issues.
7. Pulmonary Testing
If doctors are concerned about problems with the lungs, they might recommend some tests to see if that's the cause of the back pain. Chest X-rays or CT scans can help rule out issues like pleuritis (inflammation of the lining of the lungs) or pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lungs), which can both cause pain in the chest or back.
8. Digestive Assessments
If your back pain seems to be related to your digestion, your doctor might do some tests to check your gallbladder, esophagus, or stomach for problems. Tests like an ultrasound or endoscopy can be used to get a better look at these parts of your body to see if they might be the cause of your pain.
9. Assessment of Lifestyle Factors
To find out if your back pain is due to everyday things, your doctor might ask about how you sit or use screens, how active you are, and what you do at work or at home. This helps to find out if it’s muscle strain or overuse that’s causing your pain.
Treatment for Pain Between Shoulder Blades
Pain between shoulder blades can be treated depending on the cause. Some common ways to treat the pain are:
1. Rest and Posture Correction
Taking a break from repeating the same activities over and over, and improving how you sit or stand can help reduce stress on your muscles and spine, which can help to make the pain go away.
2. Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can be a great way to help reduce pain between your shoulder blades. A physical therapist can give you exercises and stretches that can make your back muscles stronger, make your body more flexible, and reduce pain.
3. Heat or Cold Therapy
Applying heat or cold to the area between your shoulder blades can help with the pain. A heating pad or a warm compress can help relax your muscles, which can help reduce pain. An ice pack can help reduce swelling and inflammation, which can also help reduce pain.
4. Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers
Over-the-counter pain relievers, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can help reduce the pain and inflammation you feel between your shoulder blades. However, these medications will only provide temporary relief and will not cure the underlying problem.
5. Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is a great way to relieve stress and tension in your muscles. It can also help improve the flow of blood throughout your body, which can lead to a better overall feeling of wellness. If you’re looking for an easy and effective way to relax and feel better, massage therapy may be a great option for you.
6. Stress Management
Yoga, meditation, and deep breathing are great techniques to help you manage stress and reduce muscle tension caused by it. These practices can help you relax and unwind, leading to a more relaxed state of mind and body.
7. Ergonomic Adjustments
Making some changes to your workspace, like using chairs that are good for your back and neck, and setting your computer screen at the right height, can help prevent more strain and pain in your muscles.
8. Medications
If the pain is severe or if it’s been going on for a long time, your doctor may recommend medications to help with the pain. These can include muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory drugs, or drugs to help with nerve pain. These medications can be a helpful way to manage the pain and improve your overall well-being.
9. Chiropractic Care
A chiropractor can help address issues like misalignment or nerve compression by performing spinal adjustments. These adjustments can help your body feel more aligned, which can reduce pain and improve overall health.
10. Trigger Point Injections
If the pain you are feeling is due to tight muscle knots, injections of numbing medicine into these knots may help to reduce or get rid of the pain. This type of injection, known as a trigger point injection, can be a helpful treatment option for those who are experiencing pain from tight muscle knots.
11. Treatment for Specific Causes
Gallbladder Problems:Â If you have gallbladder problems, like gallstones, you may need surgery or medicine to help fix them.
Heart or Lung Conditions:Â If you have a heart or lung problem, like a heart attack or a blood clot in your lung, you need medical treatment right away. These are serious conditions that need to be treated quickly.
Spinal Disorders:Â If you have a problem with your spine, like a herniated disc or spinal stenosis, you may need physical therapy, injections, or even surgery to fix it. These types of problems can cause pain and need to be treated carefully.
Preventing Pain Between Shoulder Blades
You can avoid pain between your shoulder blades by taking care of your spine, having good posture, and taking care of your muscles. Here are some ways to help prevent pain in this area:
1. Practice Good Posture
To help prevent back pain, good posture is key. Make sure to sit up straight and stand tall to avoid slouching. Also, when sitting for long periods of time, be sure to use chairs, cushions, or pillows that are comfortable and supportive to your back in order to maintain a neutral spine position.
2. Take Frequent Breaks
To prevent back pain, it's important to take frequent breaks from sitting or doing repetitive tasks. If you spend a lot of time at a desk or doing the same thing over and over, make sure to take short breaks every half an hour to stretch and move around. This helps prevent your muscles from getting too tight, which can lead to back pain. So remember to take a break and give your body a chance to move around and relax.
3. Strengthen Your Upper Back
Strengthening your upper back muscles can help prevent back pain. Try adding some exercises that focus on your upper back into your workout routine, like rows and shoulder blade squeezes. Yoga poses can also help build strength and flexibility in your upper back. The stronger and more flexible your upper back is, the less likely you are to experience back pain.
4. Use Proper Lifting Techniques
When you lift heavy things, it's important to do it the right way. If you bend over and lift with just your back, you can hurt yourself. Instead, bend at the knees and get as close as you can to the heavy thing you want to lift. This way, you use the muscles in your legs to lift and not your back. This can help prevent back pain and keep you strong and healthy.
5. Stretch Regularly
To reduce tension in your upper back, shoulders, and neck, and to increase your range of motion, it is important to stretch these areas on a regular basis. Try doing specific stretches that target the muscles in these areas, as this will help to loosen them up and make them more flexible.
6. Stay Active
It's important to keep your muscles and joints healthy and strong, so try to be active every day. Some examples of easy exercises that are good for you include walking, swimming, and strength training.
7. Adjust Your Workspace
It's really important to make sure that your computer screen is at the right height for you, and that your chair supports your back properly. You should also make sure that your keyboard and mouse are easy to reach so that you don't hurt yourself by using them too much. Doing this can help to prevent any injuries that might come from sitting in the same position for too long.
8. Avoid Overexertion
When you’re exercising or playing sports, it’s important to listen to your body. If you push yourself too hard, you can end up hurting yourself. So if you start to feel any pain or if you feel like you’re getting tired, it’s important to take a break.
9. Stay Hydrated
Drinking lots of water is a great way to keep your muscles healthy and working properly. When you drink enough water, your muscles get the moisture they need to stay strong and flexible. So make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day.
10. Manage Stress
To prevent your upper back muscles from getting tense, you should try to relax your body and mind by doing things like deep breathing or meditation. This can help you avoid any stress that might make your muscles tight.
11. Wear Supportive Footwear
If you want to keep good posture while standing or walking, you need to wear shoes that give your feet the right support. This can help you keep your body aligned and prevent any problems that might come from standing or walking in the wrong way.
12. Sleep Properly
When you're sleeping, you need to make sure your spine is in the right position and that you're not putting too much pressure on your upper back. You can do this by using a good mattress and pillow that support your body in the right way. This will help you sleep better and avoid any discomfort in your upper back.
When to See a Doctor
If you're feeling pain between your shoulder blades, it could be a minor problem like a muscle strain, but it might also be something more serious. You should see a doctor if you have any of these symptoms:
Persistent Pain:Â If your pain doesn't get better after you've rested, taken medicine from the store, or waited a few days, you should go see a doctor. They'll be able to tell you what's wrong and help you feel better.
Severe or Worsening Pain:Â If your pain is really bad and keeps getting worse, you should go to the doctor as soon as possible. This might be a sign that there's something more serious going on, and it's important to find out what it is so you can get the help you need.
Radiating Pain:Â If you have pain that spreads from one area of your body to another, like from your chest to your arms or neck, it might mean you have a heart or nerve problem.
Chest Pain:Â If you feel pain between the shoulder blades and also have chest pain, can't breathe right, feel sick to your stomach, or feel dizzy, that could be a sign of a heart attack. You should go to the hospital right away to get help.
Breathing Difficulties:Â If you have trouble breathing, or it hurts to breathe in deeply, it might mean you have a problem with your lungs. It could be something like a blood clot in your lungs or inflammation of the lining of your lungs.
Neurological Symptoms:Â If you feel tingling, numbness, or weakness in your arms or legs, and also have back pain, that could mean that there's something wrong with your nerves or spine. Maybe one of the nerves is being squished, or there's something wrong with your spine.
Fever or Chills:Â If you have a fever or feel chilly, and also have back pain, that could mean that you have an infection or that part of your body is inflamed. If that's the case, you might need to go to the doctor to get some medicine to help with that.
Trauma or Injury: If you hurt your back after falling, having an accident, or some other kind of trauma, it’s important to see a doctor. You might have broken a bone or have an injury to your insides that you don’t know about.
Unexplained Weight Loss:Â Back pain and losing weight very quickly without any reason can be signs of something serious, like cancer. It is also important to watch out for if you are feeling very tired all the time.
Pain Related to Meals:Â If back pain starts to feel worse after eating, it might mean there's something wrong with your gallbladder, your stomach, or the way your body is breaking down food.
Are you dealing with persistent pain between your shoulder blades and wondering what might be causing it? Don’t let discomfort disrupt your life. At Volusia Medical Center, our team of medical professionals is here to provide you with an expert diagnosis and personalized care tailored to your needs. Take control of your health and contact us to schedule your consultation today.
Conclusion
Pain between your shoulder blades can usually be fixed with small changes in your life, like sitting up straight and trying things at home that may help. But if the pain keeps happening or gets worse, you should see a doctor. Figuring out what's causing the pain will help you get the right treatment and stop it from coming back.
FAQs
1. What causes pain between the shoulder blades?
Pain between the shoulder blades can come from different things, like pulling a muscle, sitting or standing in a bad way for too long, or having a condition where your body gets older and hurts more.
2. Is pain between the shoulder blades serious?
Most of the time, pain between the shoulder blades is not a big deal. However, sometimes it might be a sign that something is wrong with the heart or lungs.
3. How can I relieve pain between the shoulder blades?
There are a few things you can do to help with the pain between your shoulder blades. Try stretching your muscles, using a hot or cold pack, and paying attention to your posture.
4. Can stress cause pain between shoulder blades?
Yes, Stress can make the muscles in your upper back get all tight, which can cause pain between the shoulder blades.
5. When should I worry about pain between the shoulder blades?
If the pain is sticking around for a long time, it's really bad, or if you're noticing other things that are making you worried, then it's a good idea to get checked out by a doctor.
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