Back Pain Between Shoulder Blades – Causes and Treatments for Pain Relief

Shoulder blade pain, also called scapular pain, is commonly associated with neck problems. This type of pain is termed as referred pain. Since our bodies have a lot of muscle fibers attached, it is normal for the body to feel pain at one area and at the same time feel it travel to another area Hence, whenever there is problem with any part of the neck, pain in the scapula is most likely expected as well.

Ironically, cases of scapular pain are not always due to injury or problems with the shoulder blade itself. As a matter of fact, it is a rare case. Bone infections and tumors that affect the scapula are only few conditions that cause true shoulder blade pain.These causes comprise a very small and insignificant percentage of the total scapular pain cases.

Any back pain between the shoulder blades is caused by various factors and can be quite mysterious. The shoulder joint is designed in a very complex manner. In fact, it is the most complex joint in the body. While this complexity allows a wide variety of actions and movements, it also increases  its risk to trauma, stress, and damage. In addition, it is fragile. Although there are large muscles that protect the shoulder, it is also made of small and delicate muscles. One of which is called the rotator cuff. It is composed of 4 small muscles that keep the shoulder in place. These coordinate the movements of the forearm, collar bone, scapula, and the chest. The rotator cuff is the common source of scapular pain because it is easily damaged during trauma or accidents. Furthermore, it wears out over time with frequent overuse such as carrying heavy bags.

Frequently, excessive hours of working result to muscle straining which leads to back pain. But there are also instances when a medical condition is causing the back pain. In fact, heart diseases or problems affecting one or more vital organs can let the person suffer from this condition. That is why seeking medical help is strongly encouraged should back pain persist for more than a week. Luckily, majority of back pain between the shoulder blades are not that serious and its treatment methods can be easily attained.

Causes of Shoulder Blade Pain

When pain occurs in our body, chemical mediators are activated. These chemicals would potentiate the pain experience with their vasodilating effects. These chemical mediators are prostaglandin, substance P, serotonin, histamine, bradykinin, and many more. Their primary function is not to promote pain but they are released from the inflammatory response of the body. Since these chemicals are present all over the body, they travel to nearby areas such as the back and shoulders. The pain felt between the shoulders would most commonly come from trauma to the area. The person may have been hit by a fast moving ball between the shoulders or fell down flat on the floor. Naturally, trauma to these areas would result to pain by means of an inflammatory response. The radiating area of pain may feel vague and diffused.

An injury or straining that is possibly due to inappropriate arm maneuvering is one of the main causes of this condition. Poor posture can also be a contributor to this condition. Furthermore, pain can also be felt if there is trauma to that area or a chest infection.

Unfortunately, injuries or traumas are only minor cases of pain between the shoulder blades. There are other underlying conditions that are considered to be more lethal to one’s health. In fact, this kind of pain can be linked to cardiovascular diseases and can be an indicator of myocardial infarction or simply known as heart attack. It is important for you to know that if the pain occurred unexpectedly and the severity is high, it is already considered an emergency case and proceeding immediately to the hospital must be implemented.

Aside from heart cases, pain between the shoulder blades can also be linked to gallbladder problems. Furthermore, even cancer can trigger this pain. Remember if you have no idea on how the pain occurred, you must seek medical help right away.

As long as the severity of the pain is not that high, home remedies are sufficient enough to manage it. However, should the pain persist despite the fact that these home remedies have been applied, it is highly advised to see a physician as soon as possible to get medical help.

Treatments for Pain Between Shoulder Blades

To treat the pain between the shoulder blades, the first step would be to determine the root of the problem. No matter how mild the pain is, it is recommendable to see a physician in order to rule out any serious medical diseases. Once the doctor has diagnosed any illnesses related to cancer, to the gallbladder or the heart, an early form of treatment can be executed right away and the progression of the disease can be thwarted.

If you are suffering from this type of persisting and and excruciating pain, these tips might help to ease the discomfort. Probably the best way to address the problem is to give your shoulder ample time to rest. Many people do not realize the importance of rest. They engage themselves immediately into vigorous and extraneous activities such as weight lifting and heavy contact sports. It is essential to take it easy and give your shoulder the opportunity to recover.

Pain is normal part of the inflammation.The structures inside your shoulder rub against each other causing it to inflame and swell. Cold compress will help a lot to reduce the sore and pain. Get a pack of ice, wrap it with a cloth, and apply it to the injured area at least two times a day for about 15-20 minutes. With the doctor’s prescription, anti-inflammatory drugs may be taken as well.

Your injured scapula has not been used for a few days or a week. Gradually loosen it up by doing gentle stretches and exercises. You may rotate your arm and sway it slowly. In this way, your shoulder is prepared to start performing again.

Should the pain be caused by a trauma or injury, interventions can be provided to decrease its severity. There are instances when surgery is the only procedure that can repair the damaged ligaments or tendons. Usually, these cases are linked to sports injury.

Drugs can also contribute to the relief of pain and decrease tissue inflammation and some can be purchased without the need to get a doctor’s prescription. To alleviate pain and swelling, an anti-inflammatory drug such as Ibuprofen can be given. If the body has excessive amount of water, administering diuretics may solve the problem. However, administering drugs should be rendered cautiously since most of them have side effects. It is highly recommended to inform the physician regarding all the drugs that you’ve been taking, even if it’s an over-the-counter medication.

Another form of treatment is physical therapy. This is useful to rehabilitate any area that has been strained. Usually, this approach is important after a surgical procedure to aid the rebuilding of muscles. It is a common advice from the surgeons to avoid any types of activity after the surgery, therefore, physical therapy is needed if the patient is allowed to continue the normal body movements.

Risk of Long Term Injury If Left Untreated

Back pains that are left untreated can lead to more uncomfortable conditions. These include: numbness at the upper back and burning sensation at the upper cervical area of the back. Sometimes, the whole spine experiences a burning sensation.

If the pain severity is moderate to high and home remedies are no longer effective, it is imperative to seek medical help in order for the physician to diagnose the root cause of the pain as well as prescribing medications to attain effective results. Sometimes, regular exercises can be recommended by the doctor. By engaging on physical exercises, the person enables the strengthening of the back, hence, dwindling the chances of more painful situations.

Back pain between the shoulder blades can really fluster you. Nonetheless, it is your responsibility to know the appropriate treatment methods that are 100% effective. It is also advised to start with the simplest and safest approach first which is the use of home remedies before having a visit to your physician.