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 can be associated with pathologies of the spine, disorders of internal organs.
The use of analgesic ointments and other pain relievers is not an option.Relieving discomfort 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 lung and stomach cancer.Approach this issue responsibly and entrust therapy to professionals.
Possible causes of pain
Why does my back hurt around my shoulder blades?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 discomfort.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 causes in detail.
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 swell, the distance between the vertebrae decreases significantly, which leads to pinching of the nerve roots.The fibrous ring 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, reminiscent of 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 carries Mycobacterium tuberculosis.Against the background of mechanical damage to the spine, hypothermia or weakened immunity, a tuberculous lesion may form at the site of the hematoma.Pathology cannot always be recognized in time, even on x-rays.
The disease is often discovered at an advanced stage, when the patient already has a series of complications and complains of severe pain in the shoulder blades.A characteristic sign of tuberculosis is high body temperature, burning discomfort in the chest region, which can spread to nearby tissues.
Muscle tension, hypothermia
Excessive physical activity, inadequate exercise in the gym and constantly sitting in an uncomfortable position lead to excessive strain on 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 shoulder blade area intensifies, the patient needs to take NSAIDs and rub with special ointments.Avoid drafts and avoid excessive physical activity.
Scoliosis
Every student 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, which is why patients complain of pain in the shoulder blades.
Characteristic signs of scoliosis include:
- increased fatigue of the back muscles;
- one shoulder may be located higher than the other;
- Discomfort in the shoulder blades appears after physical work, sitting at a computer for a long time, or can accompany the victim on an ongoing basis.
Spondyloarthrosis
The disease is similar to osteochondrosis;differences can only be noticed by experts 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 the pain is the inflammatory process in the soft tissues adjacent to the damaged vertebrae, further compressing the nerves.
Diseases of internal organs
All organs and systems in the body are interconnected;Pain in the shoulder blades can indicate many diseases unrelated to the spine:
- diseases of the cardiovascular system.Myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, and angina pectoris can cause sharp pain in the chest that radiates to the shoulder blades.During an acute attack, discomfort lasts no more than five minutes, blood pressure drops sharply, and cold sweats occur.In this case, call an ambulance;
- gastrointestinal diseases.Pancreatitis, cholecystitis and 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 coughing, chills, fever and muscle pain.
Back pain during pregnancy
Against the background of increased load, curvature of the spine and the unusual state of the body when carrying a child, patients experience varying degrees of pain.A shift in the center of gravity contributes to excessive compression of the vertebrae, which causes discomfort.
Pain in the shoulder blades may accompany a woman after childbirth.This is due to epidural anesthesia, which is often used for cesarean sections.The procedure itself involves inserting a special catheter into the epidural space, where it remains for the required amount 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 the utmost professionalism from the doctor.
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 feels constantly 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 spine;
- spicy.Suddenly, the patient feels a twinge of pain and the discomfort also disappears suddenly.This condition is typical for traumatic injuries, pinched nerve roots and diseases of internal organs.
Pay attention!Additionally, patients may complain of persistent discomfort along the entire spine, headaches, and other clinical manifestations of the underlying disease.
Diagnosis
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 compressed nerve roots and corresponding symptoms;
- orthopedist-traumatologist.In case of deformation of the spine (kyphosis, scoliosis), ankylosing spondylitis, various traumatic injuries of the spine, it is advisable to consult this specialist;
- general practitioner or family doctor.A doctor usually 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 diagnose pain in the shoulder blades, several studies are used: x-rays, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, 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.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used.Depending on the severity of the discomfort, medications are used in the form of tablets, ointments, injections;
- physiotherapeutic treatment (magnetic therapy, UHF, shock wave therapy, mud therapy).In case of back problems, physiotherapeutic influence on the shoulder blade area is an obligatory aspect of therapy.Manipulations relieve pain and reduce inflammation.Such methods cannot be used for tumor or infectious diseases with pus formation;
- massage, manual therapy.Used only for pain caused by compressed nerve roots or damage to the vertebrae.Impacts on the spine help to stretch it and relax the muscles;
- compresses, lotions.Dimexide (1:3), alcohol (1:1) are used in proportion with water.Compresses cope with unpleasant sensations and relieve inflammation.Dip the gauze into the prepared infusion, wrap it in cellophane and leave for two hours.After the procedure, apply gel or ointment.
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 selects an individual therapeutic course.Self-medication is harmful to health and even life.
Prevention measures
It is important to prevent not the discomfort itself, but the causes that caused it.
Expert recommendations:
- Get a massage regularly;
- avoid excessive exercise, but light physical exercise has a beneficial effect on the muscular corset;
- avoid drafts, hypothermia;
- eat well, try to give up bad habits.
An important role is played by timely contacting 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 will be minimized.