Back pain is a common complaint among people of different age groups.Unpleasant sensations are often observed in the area between the shoulder blades.Pain syndrome may be associated with spinal pathology, internal organ disorders.
The use of pain relief ointments and other analgesics is not an option.Relieving discomfort will improve your well-being, but the pathological process will destroy the spinal column or internal organs.In some cases, back pain between the shoulder blades is the result of metastatic cancer of the lung and stomach.Approach this issue responsibly and entrust therapy to professionals.
Possible causes of pain
Why does my back hurt in the shoulder blade area?Remember: Pain is a symptom of another disease, and not a separate pathology.Only by identifying the cause of discomfort, you can overcome this disease and get rid of unpleasant sensations.Experts distinguish two categories of reasons that cause pain in the shoulder blade: pathology of the spinal column, diseases of internal organs.Let us consider in detail each group of possible reasons.
Intervertebral hernia
This phenomenon is quite rare;The lumbar region is often affected, not the thoracic region.This pathology is characterized by the fact that the fibrous ring, against the background of various negative factors, begins to curve, the distance between the vertebrae is significantly reduced, which leads to pinching of the nerve roots.Annulus fibrosus acts as a shock absorber.
Intervertebral hernia in the thoracic region is characterized by the appearance of local pain, sometimes the discomfort spreads to the chest, which resembles the symptoms of diseases of the respiratory tract and heart.
Tuberculosis of the spine
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 weak immunity, tuberculous lesions can form at the site of the bruise.Pathology cannot always be recognized in time, even on X-ray.
Often this disease is found in an advanced form, when the patient already has several complications and complains of severe pain in the shoulder blade.A characteristic sign of tuberculosis is a high body temperature, burning discomfort in the thoracic region, which can spread to nearby tissues.
Muscle tension, hypothermia
Excessive physical activity, improper training in the gym, and constant sitting in an uncomfortable position lead to back muscles.Office workers, truck drivers, surgeons, and tailors are prone to this pathology.
The health condition worsens due to body hypothermia (uncontrolled operation of air conditioners, drafts).The pain in the shoulder blade area is increasing, the patient needs to take NSAIDs and rub with a special ointment.Avoid drafts and avoid excessive physical activity.
Scoliosis
Every school student has heard about this disease from teachers and parents while sitting improperly at the desk.Adults forget preventive recommendations, which leads to the appearance of varying degrees of scoliosis in 50% of the population.This disease is a curvature of the spine, often affecting the thoracic, cervical, and spine areas.The ribs are close to the thoracic region, so the patient complains of pain in the shoulder blade.
Characteristic signs of scoliosis include:
- increased back muscle fatigue;
- One shoulder may lie higher than the other;
- Discomfort in the shoulder blade appears after physical labor, sitting for a long time at the computer, or may be constantly accompanying the victim.
Spondyloarthrosis
This disease is similar to osteochondrosis;Differences can only be noticed by experts during a series of special studies.Spondyloarthrosis is characterized by the destruction of cartilage, the replacement of the lost area with bone tissue, which leads to the formation of protrusions, nerve damage, and severe pain in the shoulder blade.
Osteochondrosis
An inactive lifestyle and obesity lead to dystrophic changes in the joints and spine.Osteochondrosis is diagnosed even in children;The cause of the pain is the inflammatory process in the soft tissue adjacent to the damaged vertebra, which continues to pinch the nerve.
Diseases of internal organs
All organs and systems in the body are interconnected;Pain in the shoulder blade can indicate many diseases that are not related to the spinal column:
- 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 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 ulcer are the 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 blade is accompanied by cough, chills, fever, and muscle pain.
Back pain during pregnancy
Against the background of increased load, curvature of the spine, and the body being in an unusual state when carrying a child, patients experience various levels of pain.Changes in the center of gravity contribute to excessive compression of the vertebrae, which causes discomfort.
Pain in the shoulder blade can accompany a woman after giving birth.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 body to lose sensation for a period of time.
Improper manipulation, sharp turns during catheter insertion, and other unexpected conditions cause damage to the membrane and spinal cord material.The procedure itself is complex and requires maximum professionalism from the doctor.
Symptoms
The nature of pain in the shoulder blade is very important 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 hernia, and other chronic diseases of the spinal column;
- spicySuddenly the patient feels pain, and the discomfort also suddenly disappears.This picture is typical for traumatic injuries, pinched nerve roots, and diseases of internal organs.
Pay attention!In addition, patients may complain of discomfort along the 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 need to consult this doctor, because hernia and intervertebral osteochondrosis are accompanied by pinched nerve roots and corresponding symptoms;
- Orthopedic-traumatologist.In case of deformation of the spine (kyphosis, scoliosis), ankylosing spondylitis, various traumatic injuries of the spinal column, it is advisable to visit this specialist;
- general practitioner or family doctor.Doctors often solve many problems for patients.The doctor, knowing the family history and characteristics of the person, will identify what is causing the discomfort or refer you to a more specialized specialist.
To make a diagnosis for pain in the shoulder blade, several studies are used: radiography, CT, MRI, blood tests, urine tests.Specific manipulation depends on the nature of the pain and the presence of accompanying discomfort.
Effective treatment options
If the pain is acute, 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 blade, it is recommended:
- temporary pain relief.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).In the case of problems with the spine, the influence of physiotherapy in the shoulder blade area is a mandatory aspect of therapy.Manipulation relieves pain and reduces inflammation.Such methods should not be used for tumors or infectious diseases with pus formation;
- Massage, manual therapy.Used only for pain caused by pinched nerve roots or damage to the vertebrae.The effect on the spinal column helps to stretch it and relax the muscles;
- compresses, lotions.Dimexide (1: 3), alcohol (1: 1) is used in a ratio with water.Compresses overcome unpleasant sensations and relieve inflammation.Soak the gauze in the prepared infusion, wrap it in cellophane, and leave it for two hours.After the procedure, use gel or ointment.
Diseases of internal organs are treated in other ways, taking into account the degree of development of the pathology.In each individual case, the doctor chooses an individual therapeutic course.Self-medication is dangerous to health, even to life.
Preventive measures
It is important to avoid the discomfort itself, but the root cause that causes it.
Expert Recommendation:
- Get regular massages;
- Avoid excessive exercise, but light physical exercise has a good 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 the case of pain between the shoulder blades.Pathological changes are not formed in one day.The sooner you start treatment, the greater the chance of complete recovery, and the risk of irreparable consequences for the body is minimized.