Low back pain in the shoulder blades is a very common complaint among patients of different ages. Such a problem can interfere with breathing and can cause serious problems with physical activity, work, or simple movements.
Patients rarely pay due attention to recurrent pain in the shoulder blades. However, this symptom is the "awakening" of serious changes not only in the musculoskeletal system, but also in the internal organ complex. Such conditions can threaten the patient with disability and death.
Next, the most common causes of pain in the shoulder blades and modern therapeutic methods will be considered.
The most common reasons
The shoulder blades are located on the back of the back near the humerus and collarbone. These paired bones, which have a triangular shape, are part of the framework that connects the muscles responsible for the mobility of the shoulders. That is why back pain in the shoulder blades interferes with normal life, interferes with work ability and is a serious threat to health.
Why does the spine hurt in the area of the shoulder blades? 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 can be caused by pathological changes caused by scoliosis or osteochondropathy, as well as for the following reasons:
- diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- intercostal neuralgia;
- scapulohumeral periarthritis;
- thoracic lumbar disc herniation;
- deforming spondylosis;
- scoliosis, kyphoscoliosis and other curvatures of the spine;
- failure of one or two kidneys.
If there is pain in the area of the back shoulder blades, the causes may be diseases of the mediastinal organs, tumors and injuries, herpes zoster, intercostal neuralgia, liver dysfunction, various pathologies of the pleura and lungs. as well as in the long-term performance of monotonous activities against the background of chronic diseases. At risk are drivers, office workers, seamstresses and representatives of other professions associated with long stays in one position.
Pain in the left and back under the shoulder blades
Low back pain under the shoulder blades is often caused by osteochondrosis, various forms of flexion, and scoliosis. If a teenager has a disturbed physiological posture, he needs a complete diagnosis, properly selected prophylaxis and therapy. Otherwise, it can develop pathologies and deformities that are difficult to treat and interfere with normal life.
Spinal pain for the reasons listed above usually manifests itself in the form of severe discomfort that occurs after physical exertion. Massage is used to treat scoliosis and other curvatures of the spine, as well as hand and osteopathic effects. Localized pain syndrome in the area of the left shoulder blade is a serious danger, as such symptoms may indicate an attack of angina pectoris and developing coronary heart disease.
If the pain in the left side of the shoulder blade is accompanied by increased fatigue, shortness of breath, weakness and slight swelling of the face and ankles, you should see a doctor immediately. Another cause of pain in the left side of the shoulder blades may be a herniated disc. At risk are people who have to worry for a long time, drive a car or work on a computer.
If the pain is only slightly irritating, you can limit yourself to using an ointment that has a warming or analgesic effect, but in case of inflammation, it is recommended that the patient stay in bed.
Treatment of an intervertebral hernia of the thoracic region includes a course of traction, hand therapy, reflexology, exercise therapy and therapeutic massage. Drugs for the treatment of such pathologies are currently unknown to conservative medicine. The probability of a positive outcome with surgery is relatively low and is about 30-35%.
At the same time, many patients experience relapses after a period of 10 months to several years.
Pain in the back muscles under the shoulder blades and on a shoulder blade
Pain in the muscles between the shoulder blades is usually observed in professional weightlifters and people with high physical strength due to the nature of their activities. Causes of muscle pain between the shoulder blades can be:
- various injuries and bruises;
- elongation of tendons;
- excessive stress while working out or exercising in the gym.
If a scapula is very painful, it can be triggered by pathological myopathy, neuroinfection, paralysis of the anterior serratus, trapezius or rhomboid muscles, various deformities of the shoulder joints, tuberculosis of the spine or osteomyelitis, which leads to the development of pus. poisoning of the body.
gastric ulcer
Localized pain syndrome in the area of the shoulder blades often indicates the presence of a dangerous disease such as gastric ulcer. In such a situation, the discomfort and discomfort may spread along the thoracic spine, extending to the nipple and shoulder blade on the left side. The pain gradually increases and is characterized by seasonality and periodicity, decreasing after emptying the contents of the stomach, causing vomiting. In addition, most patients experience symptoms such as belching, salivation, and heartburn.
This is interesting! Even with a perforation of the gastric ulcer during a small activity, the level of discomfort increases greatly, and to get rid of it, the patient must take a forced position by pressing the hips on the back or right side of the abdomen. This phenomenon is accompanied by increased anxiety, fear attacks, as well as excruciating pain syndrome that spreads to the area above the clavicle.
Abscesses of the bile ducts and muscle spasms
Cutting and stabbing pains on the right side just below the shoulder blades are often caused by obstruction of the gallstones. The result is colic, severe pain syndrome and the following symptoms:
- presence of "tearing" sensations in the right hypochondrium;
- sudden pain attack;
- nervousness, nervousness;
- pain in the eyes, chin, neck and right shoulder.
Localized pain syndrome above the lumbar region of the right shoulder blade may be associated with a subdiaphragmatic abscess characterized by severe discomfort during inspiration, increased body temperature, and pain that spreads to the right shoulder. With an inflammatory process in the kidneys (nephritis, pyelonephritis) there is pain in the region of the right shoulder blade and in the lumbar region with frequent urination, which causes a number of painful sensations.
Mental problems
Pain in the spine between the shoulder blades often leads to various psychological problems. In such a situation, anxiety is usually accompanied by the following symptoms:
- feeling short of breath;
- feeling of a lump in the throat;
- paranoid thoughts, unreasonable fear;
- appearance of cold tremors and heat in the chest;
- feeling of pressure, heaviness and compression.
In the case of mental problems, there is often an unpleasant feeling, such as "bleeding" of the heart or a jump in the chest and burning of the back in the area of the shoulder blades. In many patients, tremors, internal anxiety and restlessness, panic attacks.
Osteochondrosis of the intercostal neuralgia and cervical region
Localized pain under the scapula, in the case of intercostal neuralgia, is paroxysmal in nature and is exacerbated during palpation, physical activity, walking, and coughing. In some cases, such symptoms are accompanied by excessive muscle tension, as well as a burning sensation, tingling and loss of sensation.
Pain syndrome with osteochondrosis and Bechterew's disease often worsens at night, depriving the patient of sleep and causing great muscle tension in the morning.
The following symptoms are observed with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:
- dizziness;
- increased pain in case of sharp bending or stretching of the neck;
- paresthesia in the shoulder girdle;
- pain in the arm or head.
Osteochondrosis can be characterized by unilateral dull pain in the occipital region. Anxiety usually increases in the morning, causing early awakening and causing the patient many problems. To alleviate the onset of cervical osteochondrosis, a hot bath or various medications are used, which are selected only as directed by a physician.
During pregnancy
During pregnancy, the load on the spine increases in women, so a significant number of expectant mothers complain of back pain, including in the area of the shoulder blades. Fractures and burning pains, as well as numbness in the area of the shoulder blades, are often associated with changes in the hormonal background, which contributes to the aggravation of chronic diseases such as osteochondrosis.
For prophylactic purposes, some doctors recommend that women use a support corset in the late trimesters of pregnancy and a bandage that reduces the load on the spine after childbirth and allows the baby to maintain the correct position.
Other reasons
Low back pain in the shoulder blades can be caused by angina pectoris or myocardial infarction. Pain syndrome usually occurs against the background of intense physical exertion, and the flexion is eversive. Unpleasant sensations are common in the upper left half of the body, and getting rid of them with the help of vasodilators will not work.
In this case, the patient should be treated in a clinical hospital where specially selected narcotic analgesics and supportive medications are prescribed.
Diagnosis and treatment
Before taking any steps to get rid of localized pain syndrome in the shoulder blades, it is necessary to determine the cause of the pathology. You should consult a doctor immediately in case of painful pains and burning and burning in the chest, accompanied by the sensation of pulling and twisting in the back between the shoulder blades. The doctor will choose the best diagnostic method, for example:
- chest and spine radiography;
- Ultrasound;
- electrocardiogram;
- CT scan.
Manual therapy often has positive results and allows you to strengthen both the spine and upper back, as well as make the muscle tissues that support the spine more elastic. Osteopathy and reflexology help to activate regeneration processes and local metabolism. It is worth strengthening your muscles on a regular basis by performing individually selected exercise therapy exercises.