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 may be associated with pathologies of the spine, disorders of the internal organs.
The use of pain-relieving ointments and other analgesics is not an option.Relieving discomfort will improve your well-being, but the pathological process will further destroy the spinal column 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 issue responsibly and entrust the therapy to professionals.
Possible causes of pain
Why does my back hurt in the shoulder blade area?Remember: pain is a symptom of other diseases, and not a separate pathology.Only by identifying the root cause of discomfort can you overcome the disease and get rid of unpleasant sensations.Experts distinguish two categories of causes that cause pain in the shoulder blades: pathologies of the spinal column, ailments of the internal organs.Let us consider in detail each group of possible causes.
Intervertebral hernia
This phenomenon is quite rare; the lumbar region is often affected, not the thoracic region.The pathology is characterized by the fact that the fibrous ring, against the background of various negative factors, begins to bulge, the distance between the vertebrae decreases significantly, which leads to pinching of the nerve roots.The annulus fibrosus acts as a shock absorber.
Intervertebral hernia in the thoracic region is characterized by the local appearance of pain, sometimes the discomfort spreads to the chest, which resembles symptoms of diseases of the respiratory tract and heart.
Spinal tuberculosis
Many have forgotten 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 tuberculosis lesion may form at the site of the bruise.The pathology cannot always be recognized in time, even on x-rays.
Often the disease is discovered in an advanced form, when the patient already has a number of complications and complains of severe pain in the shoulder blades.A characteristic sign of tuberculosis is elevated body temperature, burning discomfort in the thoracic region, which can spread to nearby tissues.
Muscle strain, hypothermia
Excessive physical activity, improper exercise in the gym, and constant sitting in an uncomfortable position lead to overstrain of the back muscles.Office workers, truck drivers, surgeons, and seamstresses are susceptible to this pathology.
The state of health worsens due to hypothermia of the body (uncontrolled operation of the air conditioner, draft).The pain in the area of the shoulder blades intensifies, the patient needs to take NSAIDs and rub with special ointments.Avoid drafts and avoid excessive physical activity.
Scoliosis
Every schoolchild has heard about this disease from teachers and parents while sitting incorrectly at a desk.Adults forget about preventive recommendations, which leads to the appearance of scoliosis of varying degrees in 50% of the population.The disease is a curvature of the spine, often affecting the thoracic, cervical, and spinal regions.The ribs are closely connected to the thoracic region, so patients complain of pain in the shoulder blades.
Characteristic signs of scoliosis include:
- increased fatigue of the back muscles;
- one shoulder can be located higher than the other;
- discomfort in the shoulder blades appears after physical labor, sitting for a long time at the computer, or may accompany the victim on an ongoing basis.
Spondyloarthrosis
The disease is similar to osteochondrosis; the differences can only be noticed by specialists during a series of specific studies.Spondyloarthrosis is characterized by the destruction of cartilage, replacement of missing areas with bone tissue, which leads to the formation of protrusions, nerve damage, and severe pain in the shoulder blades.
Osteochondrosis
A sedentary lifestyle and obesity lead to dystrophic changes in the joints and spine.Osteochondrosis is diagnosed even in children; the cause of pain is the inflammatory process in the soft tissues that are adjacent to the damaged vertebrae, further pinching the nerves.
Ailments of internal organs
All organs and systems in the body are interconnected; pain in the shoulder blades can indicate many diseases not related to the spinal column:
- ailments 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 lasts no more than five minutes, blood pressure drops sharply, and cold sweat occurs.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 discomfort;
- diseases of the respiratory system.Pain in the shoulder blades is accompanied by cough, chills, fever, and muscle aches.
Back pain during pregnancy
Against the background of increased load, curvature of the spine, and the body being in an unusual state while carrying a child, patients experience varying degrees of pain.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 because of epidural anesthesia, which is often used for caesarean sections.The procedure itself involves the insertion of a special catheter into the epidural space, where it remains for the required period of time without coming into contact with the spinal cord.Painkillers are administered through a catheter, which causes the lower part of the body to lose sensation for a period of time.
Improper manipulation, sharp turns during catheter insertion, and other unforeseen circumstances lead to damage to the membranes and substance of the spinal cord.The procedure itself is complex and requires maximum professionalism from the physician.
Symptoms
The nature of the pain in the shoulder blades is of great importance and helps to find out the cause of the discomfort:
- chronic – the victim constantly feels unwell, there are attacks of dull pain and periods of “calm”.This type is typical for osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernias, and other chronic diseases of the spinal column;
- spicy.Suddenly the patient feels a twinge of pain, and the discomfort also suddenly goes away.This picture is typical for traumatic injuries, pinched nerve roots, and diseases of internal organs.
Pay attention!Additionally, patients may complain of nagging discomfort along the entire spine, headaches, and other clinical manifestations of the underlying disease.
Diagnostics
What to do if your back hurts in the shoulder blade area?Often patients do not know which specialist to contact.It all depends on the nature of the pain, its duration, and the negative events that preceded the onset of discomfort.
Diagnosis is carried out:
- neurologist.Most victims should consult this doctor, because intervertebral hernias and osteochondrosis are accompanied by pinched nerve roots and corresponding symptoms;
- orthopedist-traumatologist.In case of spinal deformation (kyphosis, scoliosis), ankylosing spondylitis, various traumatic injuries of the spinal column, it is advisable to visit this specialist;
- general practitioner or family doctor.A doctor often solves many problems for patients.The doctor, knowing the family history and characteristics of the person, will identify what caused the discomfort or refer you to a more specialized specialist.
To make a diagnosis for pain in the shoulder blades, several studies are used: radiography, CT, MRI, blood tests, urine tests.Specific manipulations depend on the nature of the pain and the presence of accompanying discomfort.
Effective Treatment Options
In case of acute pain, the main task is to relieve it.Then they find out the cause of the discomfort and prescribe the necessary therapeutic course.
For unpleasant sensations in the shoulder blades, it is recommended:
- temporary pain relief.Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used.Depending on the severity of discomfort, medications are used in the form of tablets, ointments, injections;
- physiotherapy treatment (magnetic therapy, UHF, shock wave therapy, mud therapy).In case of problems with the spine, physiotherapeutic influence on the area of the shoulder blades is a mandatory aspect of therapy.Manipulations relieve pain and reduce inflammation.Such methods cannot be used for tumor or infectious diseases with the formation of pus;
- massage, manual therapy.Used only for pain caused by pinched nerve roots or damage to the vertebrae.Impacts on the spinal column help to stretch it and relax the muscles;
- compresses, lotions.Dimexide (1:3), alcohol (1:1) are used in a ratio with water.Compresses cope with unpleasant sensations and relieve inflammation.Soak the gauze in the prepared infusion, wrap it in cellophane, and leave for two hours.After the procedure, apply gel or ointment.
Ailments of internal organs are treated in other ways, taking into account the stage of development of the pathology.In each individual case, the physician selects an individual therapeutic course.Self-medication is harmful to health, even to life.
Prevention measures
It is important to prevent not the discomfort itself, but the root causes that caused it.
Expert recommendations:
- Get a 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 timely contact with a specialist in case of pain between the shoulder blades.Pathological changes do not form in one day.The sooner you start treatment, the greater the likelihood of a complete recovery, and the risks of irreparable consequences for the body are minimized.