Back pain in the scapular region is a very common complaint among patients belonging to various age groups. Such problems can interfere with breathing and create serious obstacles to physical activity, work, or simple movement.
Patients rarely notice recurring pain in the scapula. However, this symptom is a "wake-up call" for serious changes not only in the musculoskeletal system, but also in the complex of internal organs. This condition can threaten the patient's disability and death.
Next, the most common causes of shoulder blade pain and modern treatment techniques will be considered.
Most common cause
The shoulder blades are located at the back of the back, near the humerus and collarbone. These pairs of bones are triangular in shape and are part of the frame to which the muscles responsible for shoulder movement are attached. It is for this reason that back pain in the scapula interferes with normal life, interferes with the ability to work, and is a serious health hazard.
Why does my back hurt at the shoulder blade? According to medical statistics, the most common cause of such problems is injury and damage to the elements of the cervical and thoracic spine. Severe pain syndromes can be observed due to pathological changes due to scoliosis or osteochondrosis, as well as:
- Cardiovascular disease;
- Intercostal neuralgia;
- frozen shoulder;
- thoracic disc herniation;
- Deformed spondyloarthropathy;
- Scoliosis, kyphosis, and other curvatures of the spine;
- One or two kidney failures.
If the back is painful in the area of the scapula, the cause may be diseases of the mediastinal organs, tumors and injuries, herpes zoster, intercostal neuralgia, impaired liver function, various pathologies of the pleura and lungs, as well as long-term in the context of chronic diseasesDo monotonous activities. At risk are representatives of drivers, office workers, tailors and other occupations associated with staying in one position for long periods of time.
Pain on the left side of the back and under the shoulder blade
Back pain below the shoulder blades is often present due to osteochondrosis, various forms of stooping, and scoliosis. If adolescents develop physical posture disorders, comprehensive diagnosis, careful prevention and treatment are required. Otherwise, he may develop difficult-to-treat conditions and deformities and interfere with normal life.
Spinal pain associated with the above causes usually presents as severe discomfort following physical exertion. Scoliosis and other spinal curvatures are best treated with massage as well as manipulation and osteopathic effects. Pain syndrome located in the area of the left scapula is a serious danger, as these symptoms may indicate the onset of angina and progression to coronary heart disease.
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience back pain on the left side of the shoulder blade area with increased fatigue, shortness of breath, weakness, and mild swelling of the face and ankles. Another cause of pain on the left side of the shoulder blade can be a herniated disc. At risk are those who are forced to stay in uncomfortable positions, drive vehicles, or work in front of computers for extended periods of time.
If the pain is only mildly annoying, you can limit yourself to using ointments with warming or analgesic properties, however, if the pain worsens, advise the patient to rest in bed.
Treatment of thoracic hernias includes traction, manual therapy, reflexology, exercise therapy, and therapeutic massage sessions. Pharmacological approaches to treat such conditions are currently unknown to conservative medicine. With surgical intervention, the probability of a positive result is relatively low, about 30-35%.
At the same time, many patients experience relapses after 10 months to several years.
Back muscle pain under the shoulder blade and on one side of the shoulder blade
Muscle pain between the shoulder blades commonly occurs in professional athletes who lift weights and in people who face high levels of physical exertion due to the nature of their activity. Muscle pain between the shoulder blades can be caused by:
- Various injuries and bruises;
- stretch the tendon;
- Overworked while working or exercising in the gym.
If one scapula is painful, the pathology may be caused by myopathy, nerve infection, serratus anterior, trapezius or rhomboid palsy, various deformities of the shoulder joint, tuberculosis of the scapula, or osteomyelitis, resulting in suppuration and suppuration. Body poisoning.
gastric ulcer
Pain syndromes located in the scapula area often indicate a dangerous condition such as a stomach ulcer. In this case, discomfort and discomfort spread along the thoracic spine, extending to the nipple and shoulder blade on the left side. The pain is progressive, seasonal and periodic, and relieved by inducing vomiting after emptying the stomach contents. In addition, most patients experience symptoms such as belching, salivation, and heartburn.
Very interesting! The level of discomfort can be greatly increased by perforating a peptic ulcer even with light activity, and in order to get rid of it, the patient must take a forced position on the back or the right side, pressing the buttocks toward the abdomen. This phenomenon is accompanied by increased excitement, panic attacks, and intolerable pain syndromes that radiate to the area above the collarbone.
Bile duct abscesses and muscle spasms
A cut and tingling under the right shoulder blade is usually caused by a blocked bile duct stone. As a result, colic, severe pain syndrome and the following symptoms appear:
- A "tear" feeling in the right flank;
- sudden onset of pain;
- nervousness, irritability;
- Pain radiates to the eyes, jaw, neck, and right shoulder.
Pain syndrome, located above the waist in the region of the right scapula, possibly due to a subdiaphragmatic abscess, characterized by very intense discomfort on inspiration, increased body temperature, and pain radiating to the right shoulder. With the inflammatory process of the kidneys (nephritis, pyelonephritis), pain in the area of the right shoulder blade and lower back accompanied by frequent urination, which causes many pain sensations.
psychological problems
Spine pain between the shoulder blades is often triggered by various psychological problems. In this case, discomfort is usually accompanied by the following symptoms:
- feeling short of breath;
- feeling like a lump in the throat;
- Paranoid thoughts, gratuitous fears;
- Chills and warmth in the chest;
- A feeling of pressure, heaviness and crunch.
In the case of mental problems, there is often an unpleasant feeling of the heart "bleeding" or jumping out of the chest, as well as a burning sensation on the back in the scapula area. Many patients experience chills, agitation, and restlessness, leading to panic attacks.
Cervical Intercostal Neuralgia and Osteochondrosis
Pain located below the scapula, in the case of intercostal neuralgia, with paroxysmal banding characteristics and exacerbated by palpation, physical activity, walking, and episodes of coughing. In some cases, these symptoms are accompanied by excessive muscle tension, as well as burning, tingling, and decreased sensitivity.
In osteochondrosis and Bechterew disease, the pain syndrome usually worsens at night, keeping the patient awake and causing muscle tension in the morning.
For cervical osteochondrosis, the following symptoms are observed:
- Dizziness;
- increased pain with sharp flexion or extension of the neck;
- Paresthesia in the shoulder girdle area;
- Pain that radiates to the arm or head.
Osteochondrosis can be identified by unilateral dull pain in the occipital region. Discomfort usually increases in the morning, causing early awakening and causing many problems for the patient. To reduce the onset of cervical osteochondrosis, use a warm bath or a variety of medications, specially chosen as directed by your doctor.
pregnancy period
In women during pregnancy, the load on the spine increases, and as a result, a large percentage of expectant mothers complain of back pain, including in the scapula area. Fractures and burning pain, as well as numbness in the shoulder blade area, are often associated with changes in the hormonal background, which can also affect the exacerbation of chronic diseases such as osteochondrosis.
For preventive purposes, some doctors recommend that women use a supportive corset in late pregnancy and a bandage after childbirth, which can take the load off the spine and keep the baby in the correct position.
other reasons
Scapular back pain may be caused by angina or myocardial infarction. The pain syndrome usually occurs in the context of intense physical exertion and is characterized by torsional valgus. Unpleasant sensations are common throughout the upper left half of the body, and getting rid of them with the help of drugs that have a vasodilator effect will not work.
In this case, it is necessary to eliminate negative symptoms in clinical hospitals, to prescribe specially selected narcotic analgesics and supportive drugs for patients.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Before taking any measures to eliminate the pain syndrome located in the scapular region, it is necessary to determine the pathological cause that has arisen. Seek immediate medical attention if the back is sore between the shoulder blades, with a pulling and twisting sensation, and if it bakes and burns in the chest. Doctors choose the best diagnostic method, such as:
- X-rays of the chest and spine;
- Ultrasound;
- electrocardiogram;
- CT scan.
In many cases, manual therapy has shown positive results, strengthening the lumbar spine and upper back, and making the musculature that supports the spine more elastic. Osteopathy and reflexology help activate regenerative processes and local metabolism. It pays to strengthen muscles regularly by performing an individually selected set of kinesiology exercises.