Back pain is a common symptom among people of all ages.An unpleasant sensation often occurs in the area between the shoulder blades.Pain syndromes may be related to spinal lesions and internal organ diseases.
Pain creams and other painkillers cannot be used.Relieving discomfort will improve your health, but pathological processes can further damage the spine or internal organs.In some cases, back pain between the shoulder blades is caused by metastases from lung and stomach cancer.Approach this issue responsibly and entrust treatment to professionals.
Possible causes of pain
Why does my back hurt in the shoulder blade area?Remember: Pain is a symptom of other illnesses, not a separate pathology.Only by identifying the root cause of discomfort can you overcome the disease and get rid of unpleasant feelings.Experts distinguish two types of causes of shoulder blade pain: spinal pathology and internal organ disease.Let's consider each set of possible causes in detail.
intervertebral hernia
This phenomenon is quite rare; the lumbar area is more often affected than the thoracic area.Its pathological characteristic is that the annulus fibrosus begins to bulge under the action of various adverse factors, and the distance between vertebrae is significantly shortened, causing nerve roots to be squeezed.The annulus fibrosus acts as a shock absorber.
Thoracic disc herniation is characterized by localized pain and sometimes discomfort that spreads into the chest, similar to symptoms of respiratory and heart disease.
spinal tuberculosis
Many people have forgotten about this disease, but according to statistics, 99% of the world's population are carriers of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.In cases of mechanical injury to the spine, hypothermia or reduced immunity, tuberculous lesions may form at the site of bruising.Even with X-ray examination, pathological conditions cannot always be recognized in time.
Often, the disease is discovered at an advanced stage when the patient has already developed multiple complications and complains of severe pain in the shoulder blade.A typical symptom of TB is an elevated body temperature and an uncomfortable burning sensation in the chest area that may spread to nearby tissues.
Muscle strain, hypothermia
Excessive physical activity, improper workouts at the gym, and regular sitting in uncomfortable positions can cause excessive tension in the back muscles.Office workers, truck drivers, surgeons and tailors are all susceptible to this condition.
The health condition deteriorates due to hypothermia of the body (uncontrolled operation of air conditioning, ventilation).The pain in the shoulder blade area gets worse and the patient needs to take NSAIDs and apply special ointments.Avoid drafts and avoid excessive physical activity.
scoliosis
Every elementary school student has heard about this disorder from their teachers and parents when they sit incorrectly.Adults forget prevention recommendations, resulting in 50% of the population developing some degree of scoliosis.The disease is a curvature of the spine that typically affects the thoracic, cervical and spinal regions.The ribs are closely connected to the chest area and hence the patient complains of shoulder blade pain.
Characteristic signs of scoliosis include:
- Increased back muscle fatigue;
- One shoulder can be higher than the other;
- Discomfort in the shoulder blades can appear after physical exertion, sitting in front of a computer for long periods of time or constantly accompanying the victim.
spondyloarthropathy
The disease is similar to osteochondrosis; only experts can notice the differences in a series of specific studies.Spondyloarthropathy is characterized by the destruction of cartilage and replacement of missing areas with bone tissue, resulting in protrusion formation, nerve damage and severe pain in the shoulder blade.
osteochondrosis
A sedentary lifestyle and obesity can lead to joint and spinal malnutrition.Osteochondrosis can be diagnosed even in children; the pain is caused by an inflammatory process in the soft tissue near the damaged vertebrae, further squeezing the nerves.
internal organ disease
All organs and systems of the body are interconnected; shoulder blade pain may indicate a number of conditions that are not related to the spine:
- Diseases of the cardiovascular system.Myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, and angina can cause acute chest pain that radiates to the shoulder blades.In an acute attack, the discomfort lasts no more than five minutes, blood pressure drops sharply, and cold sweats occur.In this case, call an ambulance;
- Gastrointestinal disorders.Pancreatitis, cholecystitis, and peptic ulcer are common causes of chest pain in different parts of the body.Oncological disease in the area can also cause discomfort;
- Respiratory diseases.Shoulder blade pain is accompanied by cough, chills, fever, and muscle aches.
back pain during pregnancy
Patients will experience varying degrees of pain due to increased load, curvature of the spine, and the abnormal position of the body when holding a child.This change in center of gravity can cause excessive stress on the vertebrae, causing discomfort.
Women may experience shoulder blade pain after giving birth.This is because epidural anesthesia is often used during C-sections.The procedure itself involves inserting a special catheter into the epidural space and leaving it there for the required amount of time without touching the spinal cord.Painkillers are given through a catheter, causing a period of loss of feeling in the lower parts of the body.
Improper handling, sharp turns during catheter insertion, and other unforeseen circumstances can result in damage to the spinal cord membrane and parenchyma.The surgery itself is complex and requires the utmost professionalism from the doctor.
symptom
The nature of your shoulder blade pain is important in helping to identify the cause of the discomfort:
- Chronic - The victim experiences ongoing discomfort, sometimes with a dull ache and sometimes with a "calm" condition.This type is typical of osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernias, and other chronic diseases of the spine;
- Spicy.Suddenly, the patient felt a stabbing pain and the discomfort suddenly disappeared.This image is typical of traumatic injury, nerve root compression, and internal organ disease.
Notice!Additionally, patients may complain of persistent discomfort throughout the spine, headaches, and other clinical manifestations of the underlying disease.
diagnosis
What should you do if you have pain in the shoulder blade area of your back?Patients often don’t know which specialist to contact.It all depends on the nature of the pain, its duration, and the negative events that preceded the discomfort.
To diagnose:
- Neurologist.Most victims should consult this doctor because both intervertebral hernia and osteochondrosis are associated with nerve root compression and associated symptoms;
- Orthopedic Surgeon - Traumatologist.In case of spinal deformity (kyphosis, scoliosis), ankylosing spondylitis, various spinal trauma, it is recommended to see a specialist;
- General practitioner or family doctor.Doctors often solve many problems for their patients.After your doctor understands the patient's family history and characteristics, he or she can determine the cause of your discomfort or refer you to a more specialized specialist.
To diagnose shoulder blade pain, several studies are needed: radiography, CT, MRI, blood tests, urine tests.The specific procedure depends on the nature of the pain and the presence of accompanying discomfort.
effective treatment options
If acute pain occurs, the main task is pain relief.They then identify the cause of the discomfort and prescribe the necessary treatment.
For unpleasant sensations in the shoulder blades, it is recommended:
- Provides temporary pain relief.Use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Depending on the severity of discomfort, medications may be available in the form of tablets, ointments, injections, etc.;
- Physiotherapy treatments (magnetic therapy, UHF, shock wave therapy, mud therapy).If there are problems with the spine, physiotherapy effects on the shoulder blade area are a mandatory aspect of treatment.Manipulation can relieve pain and reduce inflammation.This method cannot be used for tumors or pus-forming infectious diseases;
- Massage, manual therapy.Use only for pain caused by nerve root compression or vertebral injury.Impact to the spine helps extend the spine and relax the muscles;
- Compressors, lotions.Use the ratio of Dimexide (1:3), alcohol (1:1) and water.Compression can relieve unpleasant sensations and relieve inflammation.Soak gauze in the prepared infusion, wrap it in cellophane and leave it for two hours.After surgery, apply gel or ointment.
Diseases of the internal organs can be treated in other ways, taking into account the stage of pathological development.For each case, doctors choose an individual treatment plan.Self-medication can be harmful to your health and even life-threatening.
Precautions
It is important not to prevent the discomfort itself, but to prevent the underlying causes of the discomfort.
Expert advice:
- regular massage;
- Avoid excessive exercise, but light physical exercise can have a beneficial effect on muscle shaping clothing;
- Avoid drafts, hypothermia;
- Eat right and try to kick bad habits.
If there is pain between the shoulder blades, it is important to contact a specialist promptly.Pathological changes are not formed in a day.The sooner treatment is started, the greater the likelihood of a full recovery and minimizing the risk of irreversible consequences for the body.