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 spine pathology, disorders of internal organs.
Using 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 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 in the shoulder blade area?Remember: pain is a symptom of other diseases, and not a specific 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 spine, diseases of internal organs.Let's examine each set of possible causes in detail.
Intervertebral hernia
This phenomenon is quite rare;the lumbar region is often affected, not the chest.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 is significantly reduced, which leads to the compression of the nerve roots.The annulus fibrosus acts as a shock absorber.
Intervertebral hernia in the chest region is characterized by the local appearance of pain, sometimes the discomfort spreads to the chest, which resembles the symptoms of diseases of the respiratory tract and heart.
Spinal tuberculosis
Many have forgotten 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.Pathology cannot always be recognized in time, even with 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 shoulders.A characteristic sign of tuberculosis is elevated body temperature, burning discomfort in the chest region, which can spread to nearby tissues.
Muscle strain, hypothermia
Excessive physical activity, improper training in the gym and constant sitting in an uncomfortable position lead to overstrain of the back muscles.Office workers, truck drivers, surgeons and tailors are susceptible to this pathology.
The health condition worsens due to hypothermia of the body (uncontrolled operation of the air conditioner, electricity).Pain in the shoulder area intensifies, the patient should take NSAIDs and rub with special ointments.Avoid drafts and avoid excessive physical activity.
Scoliosis
Every school student has heard about this disease from teachers and parents by sitting at a desk incorrectly.Adults forget preventive recommendations, which leads to the appearance of scoliosis in varying degrees in 50% of the population.The disease is a curvature of the spine, often affecting the chest, cervical and back regions.The ribs are closely connected to the chest region, so patients complain of pain in the shoulder blades.
The characteristic signs of scoliosis include:
- increased fatigue of the back muscles;
- one shoulder may be higher than the other;
- discomfort in the shoulders appears after physical work, sitting for a long time at the computer or can accompany the victim continuously.
Spondyloarthrosis
The disease is similar to osteochondrosis;differences can be noticed only by specialists during a series of specific studies.Spondyloarthrosis is characterized by the destruction of cartilage, the 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 also diagnosed in children;the cause of the pain is the inflammatory process in the soft tissues that are attached to the damaged vertebrae, further squeezing the nerves.
Diseases of internal organs
All organs and systems in the body are interconnected;Pain in the shoulder blades can indicate many diseases that are not related to the spine:
- diseases of the cardiovascular system.Myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, and angina pectoris can cause acute chest pain that radiates to the shoulder blades.During an acute attack, discomfort lasts no more than five minutes, blood pressure drops significantly, and cold sweat appears.In this case, call an ambulance;
- gastrointestinal diseases.Pancreatitis, cholecystitis, peptic ulcer are common causes of chest pain from different sides.Oncological diseases in this area can also cause discomfort;
- diseases of the respiratory system.Shoulder pain 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 in an unusual position while holding 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 due to epidural anesthesia, which is often used for caesarean sections.The procedure itself involves inserting a special catheter into the epidural space, where it stays for the necessary period of time without coming into contact with the spinal cord.Pain medication is administered through a catheter, which causes the lower body to lose sensation for a period of time.
Improper manipulation, sharp turns during the insertion of the catheter 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 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 constantly feels bad, there are attacks of dull pain and periods of "quietness".This type is typical for osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernias and other chronic diseases of the spine;
- spicy.Suddenly the patient feels a strong pain, and the discomfort also suddenly goes away.This appearance is typical for traumatic injuries, compressed nerve roots and diseases of internal organs.
Pay attention!In addition, patients may complain of nagging discomfort along the entire spine, headaches and other clinical manifestations of the underlying disease.
Diagnosing
What should you 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.
The diagnosis is carried out:
- neurologistMost of the victims should consult this doctor, because intervertebral hernias and osteochondrosis are accompanied by entrapment of nerve roots and related symptoms;
- orthopedic traumatologist.In case of spinal deformities (kyphosis, scoliosis), ankylosing spondylitis, various traumatic spinal injuries, 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 the person's characteristics, will identify what caused the discomfort or refer you to a more specialized specialist.
To establish a diagnosis for pain in the shoulder blades, several studies are used: X-ray, 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 the discomfort, medicines 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 shoulder area is a mandatory aspect of therapy.Manipulations relieve pain and reduce inflammation.Such methods cannot be used for tumoral or infectious diseases with the formation of pus;
- massage, manual therapy.It is 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, creams.Dimexide (1:3), alcohol (1:1) are used in relation to water.Compresses cope with unpleasant sensations and relieve inflammation.Wet the gauze in the prepared infusion, wrap it in cellophane and leave it 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 chooses an individual therapeutic course.Self-medication is harmful to health, even life.
Preventive 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 currents, 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 are not formed in a day.The sooner you start the treatment, the greater the chances of a full recovery and minimize the risks of irreparable consequences for the body.