These muscles help move the shoulder joint. The shoulder has a wide range of motion. The muscles that connect the shoulder blade allow the shoulder to rotate, move in a circle, move up and down, and side to side.
As the shoulder can move in so many ways, it is easy to injure, which can cause shoulder blade pain. Unfortunately, shoulder blade pain is not often as simple as injury-related pain. In some cases, shoulder blade pain is caused by pain from a nearby organ in distress.
There are many potential causes of shoulder blade pain. In some cases, a person may be able to figure out what is causing their pain. Some conditions can cause what is called referred pain, which occurs in the shoulder blades but is due to a problem in another part of the body. Some causes are more likely to cause pain in one shoulder over the other. For example, a heart attack is more likely to cause pain in the left shoulder blade.
Gallbladder disease is more likely to cause pain in the right shoulder blade. As the shoulder blade is a bone, it is possible for a person to experience a fracture. This is an unlikely occurrence in most cases, as it requires a fall, an accident, or a similar direct injury to the shoulder blade.
As a person ages, degenerative conditions may cause shoulder blade pain. Some of these conditions include:. More specifically, a type of arthritis called ankylosing spondylitis is most common among people aged 20— It is a form of arthritis that primarily affects the spine, but it can cause pain and inflammation to surrounding areas.
Certain cancers may also cause pain in the shoulders and shoulder blades. The most common cancers that may cause shoulder blade pain include lung cancer, breast cancer , and colon cancer.
It is very common for a person to experience a musculoskeletal issue that causes shoulder blade pain. Overuse, strains, sleeping akwardly, and rotator cuff issues all fall into this category.
These problems are often related to pain in the muscle groups surrounding the shoulders, including some of the arm muscles. One of the more serious causes of shoulder blade pain is heart-related problems. Healthcare professionals note that localized pain in the left shoulder may be a sign of a heart attack, particularly in women.
Women experiencing pain in the shoulder blade that cannot be explained by a musculoskeletal problem should seek immediate medical attention. Certain lung conditions may also cause referred pain in the shoulder blades. One condition that increases the risk of shoulder blade fractures is osteoporosis.
This is when the body loses bone tissue, resulting in lower bone density. This makes the bones brittle and easy to break or injure. However, if you have osteoporosis, strength training goes a long way when it comes to strengthening the body and its joints. Such inflammation may result from carrying a heavy load on your shoulder, for example, a heavy backpack, or from infections. It can lead to widespread pain around the shoulder blade, as well as impaired muscle function.
This can create a condition where the shoulder blade is sticking out from the back, instead of being pulled close to the chest. If your left shoulder blade is hurting, it could be a sign of certain heart conditions, such as pericarditis or aortic dissection.
Lung cancer may further manifest as shoulder blade pain. If you have any other symptoms, such as shortness of breath, dizziness, or chest pain, seek emergency medical attention.
These are not symptoms you want to ignore. Such conditions could lead to a life-threatening situation. Go to the nearest emergency room. It is categorized by widespread pain and fatigue. It may pose similar symptoms to that of a muscle strain. If you suspect you may have fibromyalgia, book a consultation with your doctor. For most forms of shoulder blade pain, you can use the following guidelines to help relieve your pain and get back to your regular activities.
It should be noted that in most conditions, exercise is the treatment of choice, for alleviating your pain. Exercise builds strength to help support the injured area. Stretch exercises help relieve tension in the muscles. However, exercise should not be continued if pain worsens. Err on the side of caution. Go slow. The preventative exercises in the following section offer examples of exercises you may try to bounce back after shoulder pain. Try the app for a speedy recovery.
Does your pain get much worse when you perform certain movements or activities? Avoid the activities causing pain for 24 - 48 hours. Give your body time to heal and rest - especially if the pain may be the result of overuse. Surprisingly, your body is fairly capable when it comes to healing itself. It may just need the time to do so.
For instance, if the pain has occurred after a particularly intense workout, your body may need time to adapt. Likely, micro-tears have occurred in the muscle tissue. The body will heal tears, as well as adapt the muscle tissue to withstand similar future loads.
After a couple of days, try to ease back into your regular activities, but reduce the weight and pressure on the muscles, and the length of your activity. If the pain continues, it may be a good idea to seek out some professional advice, such as that of a sports medicine specialist or a rheumatologist. Ice is a quick way to relieve pain. Wrap the ice or cooling device in a wet cloth before applying it to your skin.
Apply the cold device for minutes. Leave about 45 minutes between applications. Ice or cold reduces blood flow to the affected area. By doing so, inflammation and swelling may be reduced. As a result, you feel less pain. Some individuals prefer heat over cold. Go with what feels best for you, or alternate between them. Heat, in particular, may offer relief, if your muscles feel tense.
Heat promotes blood flow in the applied area and also causes the local muscles to relax. Over-the-counter pain relievers are a quick route to reduce inflammation and pain.
Aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen in the US , and paracetamol acetaminophen in the US are all viable options. Make sure not to use these medications for longer than days. Long-term use is associated with gastrointestinal issues and other adverse effects. Most of these medications are intended for short-term use. Or better yet, book a massage.
A foam roller or massage ball is your best bet. Roll the foam roller or ball under your shoulder blade until you find a tender spot. Once you find the spot, slowly roll side-to-side, up-and-down, or in a circular pattern. Do this for a minute or more.
Feel free to use this method once or even twice a day. Acupuncture has been used for centuries. It works by inducing a reflex that makes muscles relax. This release of tension may lead to pain relief. Thoracic Disc Herniation Symptoms.
What Causes Neck and Shoulder Pain? Intercostal Muscle Strain Symptoms and Diagnosis. Early Treatments for Upper Back Pain. You are here Blog. By Grant Cooper, MD. Mizutamari M. Corresponding scapular pain with the nerve root involved in cervical radiculopathy. J Orthop Surg. Aortic dissection. Updated June 10, Accessed June 4,
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