Back pain is a common complaint among people of different age groups.Unpleasant sensations are often noted in the area between the shoulder blades.Pain syndrome can be associated with pathologies of the spine, disorders of internal organs.
The use of pain relievers and other analgesics is not an option.Reducing anxiety will improve your well-being, but the pathological process will further destroy the spine or internal organs.In some cases, back pain between the shoulder blades is the result of metastatic cancer of the lungs and stomach.Approach this matter responsibly and entrust the therapy to specialists.
Possible causes of pain
Why does my back hurt in the shoulder blade area?Remember: Pain is not a separate pathology, but a symptom of other diseases.Only by identifying the root cause of anxiety can you overcome the disease and get rid of unpleasant feelings.Experts distinguish two categories of causes that cause pain in the shoulder blades: pathologies of the spine, diseases of internal organs.Let's consider each group of possible reasons in detail.
Intervertebral hernia
This phenomenon is quite rare;The lumbar region is often affected, not the thoracic region.Pathologically, against the background of various negative factors, the fibrous ring begins to bulge, the distance between the vertebrae decreases significantly, which causes pinching of the nerve roots.The Annulus Fibrosus acts as a cushion that absorbs shock.
An intervertebral hernia in the thoracic region is characterized by a local appearance of pain, sometimes the discomfort spreads to the chest, similar to the symptoms of respiratory tract and heart diseases.
Spinal tuberculosis
Many people forgot about this disease, but according to statistics, 99% of the world's population is a carrier of mycobacterium tuberculosis.Against the background of mechanical damage to the spine, hypothermia or weakened immunity, a rotting tubercular lesion can occur.Pathology is not always recognized on time, even on X-rays.
Often the disease is detected in an advanced form, the patient already complains of a number of complications and severe pain in the shoulder blades.A characteristic symptom of tuberculosis is increased body temperature, burning discomfort in the thoracic region that can spread to nearby tissues.
Muscle strain, hypothermia
Excessive physical activity, improper training in the gym and constant sitting in an uncomfortable position lead to the dominance of the back muscles.Office workers, truck drivers, surgeons and seamstresses are susceptible to this pathology.
The health condition worsens due to hypothermia of the body (uncontrolled operation of the air conditioner, draft).Pain in the area of the shoulder blades, the patient should take NSAIDs and hunt with special ointments.Avoid drafts and avoid excessive physical activity.
Scoliosis
Every schoolchild heard about this disease from teachers and parents when they were sitting wrongly at the table.Adults forget preventive recommendations, which leads to the appearance of scoliosis of various degrees in 50% of the population.The disease is a curvature of the spine, which often affects the thoracic, cervical and spinal regions.The ribs are closely connected to the thoracic region, so patients complain of pain in the shoulder blades.
The characteristic symptoms of scoliosis are:
- Increased fatigue of the back muscles;
- one shoulder may be higher than the other;
- Discomfort in the shoulder blades can accompany the victim after physical work, sitting for a long time at the computer or continuing.
Spondyloarthrosis
The disease is similar to osteochondrosis;The differences can only be seen by specialists during a series of special studies.Spondyloarthrosis is characterized by the destruction of cartilage, replacement of missing areas with bone tissue, which leads to the formation of ruins, nerve damage and severe pain in the shoulder blades.
Osteochondrosis
A sedentary lifestyle and obesity cause dystrophic changes in the joints and back.Osteochondrosis is diagnosed even in children;The cause of the pain is an inflammatory process in the soft tissues adjacent to the damaged vertebrae, pinching the nerves even more.
Diseases of internal organs
All organs and systems in the body are interconnected;Pain in the shoulder blades can indicate many diseases that are not related to the spine:
- Diseases of the cardiovascular system.Myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, and angina pectoris can cause acute chest pain radiating to the shoulder blades.During an acute attack, discomfort does not exceed five minutes, blood pressure drops sharply and cold sweats.In this case, call an ambulance;
- gastrointestinal diseases.Pancreatitis, cholecystitis, peptic ulcers are common causes of chest pain from different sides.Oncological diseases in this area can also cause anxiety;
- diseases of the respiratory system.It is accompanied by pain in the shoulder blades, cough, cold, fever and muscle pain.
Back pain during pregnancy
The increased load, the curvature of the spine and the curvature of the body when carrying a child, patients experience varying degrees.A change in the center of gravity contributes to excessive compression of the vertebrae, which causes discomfort.
Pain in the shoulder blades can accompany a woman after childbirth.This is the reason epidural anesthesia is often used for caesarean sections.The procedure itself involves entering the epidural space, where a special catheter is inserted into the epidural space, where it remains for the necessary time so that it does not come into contact with the spinal cord.PainKiller is administered through a catheter that causes the lower body to lose sensation over a period of time.
Improper manipulation, sharp turns during catheter insertion, and other unforeseen circumstances cause damage to the membranes and substance of the spinal cord.The procedure itself is complex and requires maximum professionalism from the doctor.
Symptoms
The nature of pain in the shoulder blades is of great importance and helps to find out the cause of the discomfort:
- Chronic - The victim constantly feels bad, has attacks of dull pain and "quiet" periods.This type is typical for osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernia and other chronic diseases of the spine;
- spicy.Suddenly, the patient feels pain and anxiety suddenly goes away.This picture is typical for traumatic injuries, diseases of nerve roots and internal organs.
Pay attention!In addition, patients may complain of discomfort along the entire spine, headache, and other clinical manifestations of the underlying disease.
Diagnostics
What to do if the back shoulder blade area hurts?Often, patients do not know which specialist to contact.It all depends on the nature of the pain, its duration and negative events that preceded the onset of anxiety.
The diagnosis is made:
- neurologist.Most of the victims should consult this doctor, because intervertebral hernia and osteochondrosis are accompanied by compressed nerve roots and corresponding symptoms;
- orthopedist-traumatologist.Spinal deformity (kyphosis, scoliosis), ankylosing spondylitis, various traumatic injuries of the spine, it is recommended to visit this specialist;
- General practitioner or family doctor.A doctor often solves many problems for patients.Knowing the patient's family history and characteristics, the doctor will identify the causes of concern or refer to a more specialized specialist.
Several studies are used to make a diagnosis for pain in the shoulder blades: X-ray, CT, MRI, blood tests, urine tests.Specific manipulations depend on the nature of the pain and the accompanying discomfort.
Effective treatment options
When there is acute pain, the main task is to relieve it.Then they find the cause of the discomfort and prescribe the necessary therapeutic course.
Recommended for unpleasant sensations in the shoulder blades:
- temporary pain reliever.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used.Depending on the severity of the discomfort, drugs are used in the form of tablets, ointments, injections;
- Physiotherapy treatment (magnetic therapy, uhf, shock wave therapy, mud therapy).When the spine is a problem, physiotherapeutic effect on the area of the shoulder blades is a mandatory part of the therapy.Manipulations relieve pain and reduce inflammation.Such methods cannot be used for tumors or infectious diseases with the formation of pus;
- Massage, hand therapy.It is used only for pain caused by damage to nerve roots or vertebrae.The effects of the spine help to lengthen it and relax the muscles;
- Compressors, lotions.DimExide (1: 3), alcohol (1: 1) is used in a ratio of water.Cope with negative feelings and relieves inflammation.Soak dauz in the prepared infusion, wrap in cellophane and leave for two hours.Apply gel or ointment after the procedure.
Diseases of internal organs are treated in other ways, taking into account the stage of development of the pathology.In each individual case, the doctor chooses an individual therapeutic course.Self-medication is harmful to health and even life.
Preventive measures
It is important to prevent anxiety itself, but the root causes that cause it.
Expert recommendations:
- Massage regularly;
- Avoid excessive exercise, but light physical exercise has a beneficial effect on the muscle corset;
- Avoid drafts, hypothermia;
- Eat right, try to give up bad habits.
An important role is played by contacting a specialist in case of pain between the shoulder blades.Pathological changes are not formed in a day.The sooner you start the treatment, the more likely a full recovery and the risks of irreversible consequences for the body are minimized.