Pain under the shoulder blades from the back - causes, symptoms and treatment

Pain in the chest area at the level of the shoulder blades can indicate back problems, pain in the internal organs and heart problems. To find out the cause, you need to clearly explain the discomfort to the doctor and undergo an examination. Depending on the diagnosis, therapy is prescribed. You should also consider in detail how to treat back pain under the shoulder blades.

anatomy of the breast

The shoulder blade zone belongs to the thoracic spine and is located at chest level. It is necessary to study the anatomy of this area in order to understand which organs can directly and indirectly bother the patient.

The main anatomical elements include:

1. The spine - consists of the spinal cord and vertebrae, intervertebral discs. It is an important part of the entire musculoskeletal system, protects the spinal cord from damage.
2. The right and left shoulder blades belong to the bony structures of the upper shoulder girdle. They look like a triangle and are flat bones. This bone structure has many pits and depressions. These are the attachment points of ligaments, tendons, and muscles. The blades have a high strength, so they easily withstand permanent static loads.
3. The collarbone is the bone that connects the shoulder blade to the chest.
4. Heart - responsible for the functionality of the cardiovascular system, pumps blood through the veins and arteries.
5. The lungs are a paired respiratory organ responsible for gas exchange processes.
6. Esophagus, stomach - belong to the digestive organs.
7. Ribs - provide a protective function of the chest. These are flat bones attached to the spine behind and in front of the breastbone.

The nature of pain

The shoulder blades are located on the back of the back and are close to the humerus and collarbone. This is a paired triangular bone to which the rhomboid and partially trapezius muscles are attached. These muscle groups make the upper shoulder girdle flexible. The shoulder blades are connected to the ribs to form a strong frame of the torso. Any discomfort in this area can lead to significant discomfort and limited mobility in the upper back. For this reason, the pain is unbearable and you should consult a doctor immediately.

The variety of pain sensations is divided into several classifications:

1. Pain and its character depending on the localization of unpleasant sensations - in the middle of the shoulder blades, left or right, regardless of whether the chest is irradiated or between the ribs, the pain is felt higher or lower.
2. By the nature of the sensations - unpleasant, pulling sensations, acute pain, whining, irradiation, pulsation.
3. The duration of the pain is episodic attacks, it is felt constantly, sharply increases, unpleasant sensations appear after physical activity.

Most often, pulling pains indicate problems with the spine and rarely indicate other related problems.

main reasons

Pain under the shoulder blades occurs due to such disorders:

• pain in the stomach (peptic ulcer, gastritis);
• indigestion (heartburn, esophageal reflux);
• disorders in the work of the cardiovascular system (myocardial infarction, pericarditis);
• lung problems (bronchitis, pneumonia);
• degenerative diseases of the crest, spine;
• trauma, inflammation, sprains, myositis;
• neurological disorders.

In 90% of cases, as statistics show, discomfort in the shoulder blades is caused by back pain. The human spine is responsible for walking upright and therefore carries a significant load. Taking care of one's health helps improve well-being when physical inactivity and poor posture cause discomfort. With age, the situation worsens.

injuries

If the patient has a bruise or sprain, there may be pain under the shoulder blade when moving or straining. In the acute phase, the pain is constant and is felt even at rest. Depending on the location of the injury, pain occurs on the left or right side of the shoulder blades. The most common types of damage are bone or muscle corset.

Other types of traumatic injuries:

1. Injury. It is characterized by superficial pain. Bruises most commonly affect superficial soft tissues, the upper muscle layer, and subcutaneous fat tissue. Unpleasant sensations appear under the shoulder blades, and under them there is swelling and a locally localized inflammatory process. Usually no special treatment is required. This pain goes away on its own within a few weeks.
2. Fracture or tear - the pain is acute and has no reflection, focusing on the site of injury. Even the slightest movement of the hand causes unbearable sensations. In such a situation, the patient is shown complete calm so as not to aggravate the situation with a fracture.
3. Dislocations, displacement of the vertebrae. In this case, the pain is localized not only in the shoulder blade area, but also in the back at the level of the chest region. Pain often occurs due to compression of the nerve endings in the spinal canal, which indicates damage to the intervertebral discs.

Trauma is easy to recognize. A crunch is felt during movement, swelling of the tissues at the site of the bruise is observed.

osteochondrosis

The classic manifestation of osteochondrosis of the chest region is interscapular pain at the level of the ridge. Unpleasant sensations arise due to pinched nerve endings. With a lesion of the thoracic region in the upper part of the patient, he feels a sharp pain in the shoulder that radiates into the arm. The side depends on the lesion of the specific nerve roots. When blood vessels are squeezed, pressure increases, headaches and dizziness occur.

If the lower part of the thoracic region is affected, the patient has unpleasant sensations in the lower back from the shoulder blade. Also gives after the left or right hand, depending on the location of the pinched nerve. Over time, the pain becomes more intense, the patient feels discomfort not only during motor activity, but also during rest. Difficult situation - discomfort is felt around the clock, including at night. Against the background of osteochondrosis, protrusions or hernias often appear.

scoliosis

Poor posture is the most common spinal disorder that occurs at a young age. The first problems can already be observed in the first years of school - children do not master the correct posture and do not understand why adults expect them to sit evenly. Abnormal exercise habits develop over time. A person sits in a position that is comfortable for him, but this position leads to static muscle overload and the development of imbalance. If the spine stays in a pain-relieving position for a long period of time, this can lead to a curvature with serious consequences.

In adulthood, many people experience hypodynamia - a state of low physical activity when a person leads an exclusively sedentary lifestyle. The result is persistent back pain due to muscle weakness. With a curvature in the chest area, the pain is localized in the area of \u200b\u200bthe shoulder blades. Sometimes there is radiating discomfort in the cervical region. A characteristic difference of scoliosis is that when standing in a relaxed position, one shoulder is higher than the other.

During the initial examination, the therapist can see the disease. It is necessary to treat the disease for a long time and with the help of an integrated approach. To relieve the painful condition, you need to establish a lifestyle, stop being nervous and start moving. Muscle tone can increase under stress, which leads to a deterioration in well-being. Massage helps a lot, it is also useful to do exercise therapy for the back.

hernias and protrusions

The occurrence of an intervertebral hernia is a serious condition characterized by a bulging of the spinal canal through the fibrous ring of the disc. The previous condition of the hernia is a bulge. When protruding, the intervertebral disc is partially damaged and the fibrous ring is stretched. Hernias develop during strenuous physical exertion from heavy lifting. An important role in their appearance is played by the hereditary factor. If the family has close relatives with hernias or hernias, it is very likely that they will appear in children as they get older.

If there is a hernia or a protrusion at the level of the thoracic region, then there will be pain in the area of \u200b\u200bthe shoulder blades. There is also an irradiation of pain in the arm or shoulder. The side depends on the specific pinched nerve roots. Painful shooting is explained by the defeat of the nerve endings, which are pinched in the back due to excessive compression.

When the lower back is affected, the back pain is transmitted to the leg, and when a cervical hernia occurs, the pain radiates to the head. In any situation, a hernia requires complex treatment aimed at relaxing the back, relieving acute pain and removing muscle tension. With hernias and protrusions, it makes sense to conduct exercise therapy and participate in physiotherapeutic procedures. In rare and advanced cases, surgery is required.

kyphosis

This is a curvature similar to scoliosis but in the opposite direction. If in scoliosis the spine is curved to the right or left, in kyphosis there is a pronounced flexion of the upper shoulder girdle. One of the characteristic signs of the disease is a feeling of pain in the interscapular zone with external signs of pathology. Depending on the type of curvature, it hurts under the left or right shoulder blade. Usually the pain occurs on both sides, giving to the arms and neck. There are two main mechanisms for the development of pathologies:

1. neurogenic. During the occurrence of a curvature, degenerative processes occur in the spine, leading to pinching of the nerve roots of the spinal cord. There is aching pain in the area of \u200b\u200bthe right and left shoulder blades, which are transmitted to the neck, collarbone or arm, less often to the shoulder joint.
2. Muscular. Constantly being in a concave state provokes muscle imbalance and overstrain. In the upper back, the muscles are pinched, which provokes their hypertonia and severe pain. The rest of the back muscles also suffer. Hypotension may occur in the lumbar region.

As a result, the vertebral artery is compressed, which leads to a persistent violation of cerebral circulation. Gradually, well-being deteriorates, there are dysfunctions of internal organs. With such a patient it is necessary to carry out complex work, including the services of a rehabilitator and exercise therapy.

spondyloarthritis

Sometimes the development of spondylarthrosis indicates pain on the right or left side of the shoulder blades. The disease is characterized by damage to the facet joints and intervertebral discs. With the development of the disease there is a loss of mobility, there is a feeling of stiffness, which is most pronounced in the morning.

The pathology manifests itself in several stages:

1. Deformation and destruction of the cartilage. When blood flow is compromised in this zone, the integrity of the connective tissue is destroyed, causing the joint disc to thin. Restorative processes in bones and connective tissues deteriorate significantly. Increased physical activity in this area leads to microtrauma.
2. Further deformation changes occur. Seals appear in the intervertebral disc, mobility worsens, which leads to increased destruction of cartilage tissue. The patient can constantly feel pain even in a calm state.
3. The final stage is ossification, the formation of osteophytes. These growths injure nearby joints, tendons, muscles, and ligaments. In this case, an operation is required.

A characteristic manifestation of spondylarthrosis in the initial stages is the occurrence of pain only with physical exertion. Rest discomfort subsides as there is no traumatic factor.

intercostal neuralgia

This condition is related to disorders of the vagus nerve. When pathology occurs, there is a sharp pain shooting into the shoulder blade, ribs and chest. This type of pain is often mistaken for a heart attack. A characteristic difference is the lack of a clear localization in the area of \u200b\u200bthe heart. Unpleasant sensations intensify when inhaling. The pain is accompanied by a feeling of tightness. If the patient thinks he has angina, there is no relief after taking nitroglycerin.

Pain under the right or left shoulder blade indicates innervation of certain areas. Numbness and spasms are not typical for this pathological process. Given the specificity of the symptoms of the disease, the specialist will easily make a diagnosis. Treatment consists of the use of injectable B vitamins and myotropics (muscle relaxants). Therapy of intercostal neuralgia should be carried out by a neurologist.

Causes of pain under the left shoulder blade from the back from the back - heart disease

Back pain is often a sign of heart disease. Why back pain is a referred pain phenomenon indicative of coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction or pericarditis. If suddenly there is a sharp pain that increases with physical exertion, but there are no symptoms of diseases of the spine, then you need to urgently visit a cardiologist for a consultation. Self-treatment or procrastination can bring the situation to a critical state.

The most common causes of discomfort in the heart causing pain under the left shoulder blade from behind:

1. Heart attack. In addition to the radiation, the patient feels aching pain in the area of the heart muscle. The causes of the pathology are associated with the blockage of large arteries and veins by a thrombus. When the thrombotic plaque breaks off and blocks vascular flow around the heart, a heart attack occurs. In this condition, it is necessary to act quickly, otherwise the patient will die. The main cause of the pathology that has arisen is atherosclerosis, agglutination of erythrocytes, platelets with increased coagulation.
2. Ischemic heart disease or angina pectoris. According to information from a medical article, an attack of coronary artery disease suddenly develops. There is a dull pain that is paroxysmal in nature. The attack is easily stopped by taking nitroglycerin. The disease requires further medical supervision, since it can appear at the most unexpected moment. If the attack lasts more than a few hours and the medication does not help, you need to call an ambulance. In addition to discomfort in the heart, the patient's breathing comes true, shortness of breath appears, which is aggravated by physical exertion.
3. Pain under the left shoulder blade from behind may indicate the development of an attack of pericarditis. The pathology is characterized by the accumulation of fluid with an inflammatory lesion of the serous membrane of the heart. Diagnosis includes testing for markers of inflammation, including rheumatic testing. Pericarditis is often a complication of a previous infectious disease, including upper and lower airway disease. Long-term complex therapy is carried out.

diseases of the respiratory tract

Long-lasting respiratory diseases can eventually lead to radiating pain in the shoulder blade area. Most often, complications are caused by such diseases:

1. Chronic or acute bronchitis. In the early stages, the disease is characterized by a dry cough. Gradually, irritation of the larynx increases and a wet cough develops. If the disease developed against the background of SARS, then the body temperature increases. The disease does not require specific therapy, it is enough to observe bed rest, drink more warm liquid. Rarely, antipyretics and antibiotics may be needed.
2. Pleurisy. If the patient complains of severe chest pain with possible radiation, cough, shortness of breath and fever, the specialist must rule out or confirm this disease. Pleurisy is characterized by inflammation of the pleural sheets, followed by accumulation of fluid sputum in the pleural cavity. The disease is difficult to bear. Comprehensive treatment with antibiotics and anti-tuberculosis drugs is required.
3. Lung infection. Often develops as a complication of SARS. Pneumonia is characterized by a severe course, accompanied by coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain on inhalation and severe fever. The disease is confirmed by a chest X-ray and can be treated with antibiotics.

Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

All diseases of the gastrointestinal tract that cause discomfort in the area of \u200b\u200bthe shoulder blades have a reflected pain character. What problems can arise:

1. gastritis or peptic ulcer. When the pain syndrome is reflected, the patient feels uncomfortable discomfort in the lower chest (on the underside of the shoulder blades on both sides). It may appear like muscle pain. With an attack of pain in the stomach, a burning sensation in the solar plexus is felt in parallel. Diseases are treated in a complex way, drugs are used to reduce acidity, medicinal (proton pump inhibitors). If a bacterial pathogen is found, antibiotics are prescribed.
2. Esophageal reflux, heartburn. Discomfort occurs in the chest area and often radiates to the shoulder blade area. The cause of the pathology is the return of the contents of the stomach into the esophagus. Unpleasant sensations are associated with the irritating effect of hydrochloric acid on the esophagus. There is a sour belching, a lump in the throat. In rare cases, vomiting occurs. To prevent an attack, you need to limit the consumption of fried, spicy, and fatty foods. Acid-reducing antacids based on magnesium and aluminum hydroxide are used for symptomatic treatment.

Editorial Opinion

Unpleasant sensations in the shoulder blade zone are most often associated with an exacerbation of diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Less frequently, heart disease, neurological problems, and diseases of the stomach and respiratory tract lead to complaints. To learn more about the causes of back pain, it is advisable to study the relevant article on our website.