Back pain is a common complaint among people of different ages.Discomfort is often noted in the area between the shoulder blades.Pain syndrome can be related to diseases of the spine and disorders of internal organs.
The use of pain-relieving ointments and other pain relievers is not an option.Reducing discomfort will improve your health, but the pathological process will destroy the spine or internal organs even more.In some cases, back pain between the shoulder blades is the result of metastatic cancer in the lungs and stomach.Approach this issue responsibly and entrust treatment to specialists.
Possible causes of pain
Why does my back hurt in the shoulder blade area?Remember: pain is a symptom of other diseases, not a separate condition.Only by identifying the root cause of discomfort can you overcome this disease and get rid of unpleasant feelings.Experts distinguish two types of causes of shoulder pain: pathology of the spine, pathology of internal organs.Let's consider each group of possible causes in detail.
Intervertebral hernia
This phenomenon is quite rare;The lumbar region is usually affected, not the thoracic region.The pathology is characterized by the fact that the fibrous ring, due to various negative factors, begins to bulge, the distance between the vertebrae is significantly reduced, which leads to compression of the nerve roots.The fibrous ring acts as a shock absorber.
Disc herniation in the chest area is characterized by localized pain, sometimes discomfort spreading to the chest, similar to symptoms of respiratory and heart diseases.
Spinal tuberculosis
Many people have forgotten about this disease, but according to statistics, 99% of the world's population are carriers of Mycobacteria tuberculosis.Against the background of mechanical damage to the spine, hypothermia or impaired immunity, tuberculosis lesions can form at the site of the bruise.Pathology is not always recognized promptly, even on X-rays.
Most often, the disease is detected in severe form, when the patient already has some complications and complains of severe pain in the shoulder blades.A characteristic sign of tuberculosis is increased body temperature, a feeling of discomfort in the chest area, which can spread to neighboring tissues.
Muscle tension, hypothermia
Excessive physical activity, improper exercise in the gym and constant sitting in an uncomfortable position lead to back strain.Office workers, truck drivers, surgeons and tailors are susceptible to this condition.
Health condition is getting worse due to hypothermia (air conditioner operating uncontrollably, drafts).The pain in the shoulder blade area is increasing, 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 when sitting at the wrong desk.Adults forget 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 chest, neck and spine.The ribs are closely connected to the chest area, so patients complain of pain in the shoulder blades.
Characteristic signs of scoliosis include:
- increased fatigue of back muscles;
- one shoulder may be higher than the other;
- The feeling of discomfort in the shoulder blades appears after doing manual labor, sitting for a long time in front of the computer, or being able to constantly accompany the victim.
Degeneration of the spine
The disease is similar to osteonecrosis;The difference can only be noticed by experts in a series of specific studies.Ankylosing spondylitis is characterized by the destruction of cartilage, replacing missing areas with bone tissue, leading to the formation of protrusions, nerve damage and severe pain in the shoulder blades.
Osteoarthritis
A sedentary lifestyle and obesity lead to dystrophic changes in the joints and spine.Osteonecrosis is diagnosed even in children;The cause of pain is the inflammatory process in the soft tissues adjacent to the damaged vertebra, causing further compression of the nerves.
Diseases of internal organs
All organs and systems in the body are interconnected;Shoulder pain can be a sign of many diseases not related to the spine:
- diseases of the cardiovascular system.Myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease and angina can cause acute chest pain that radiates to the shoulder blades.During an acute attack, the feeling of discomfort lasts no more than five minutes, there is a sharp decrease in blood pressure and cold sweat.In this case, call an ambulance;
- gastrointestinal diseases.Pancreatitis, cholecystitis, and duodenal ulcers are common causes of chest pain from many directions.Cancers in this area can also cause discomfort;
- diseases of the respiratory system.Pain in the shoulder blade accompanied by cough, chills, fever and muscle pain.
Back pain during pregnancy
Against the background of increased load, curvature of the spine and an abnormal state of the body when carrying a child, the patient experiences different degrees of pain.The change in center of gravity contributes to excessive compression of the vertebrae, causing discomfort.
Pain in the shoulder blades can happen to women after giving birth.This is due to epidural anesthesia, which is commonly 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 contact with the spinal cord.Pain medication is administered through the catheter, causing loss of feeling in the lower part of the body for a period of time.
Improper manipulation, sudden rotation during catheterization and other unforeseen circumstances lead to damage to the membranes and substance of the spinal cord.The procedure itself is very complicated and requires maximum professionalism from the doctor.
Symptom
The nature of the pain in the shoulder blades is of great importance and helps to find the cause of discomfort:
- chronic – the victim constantly feels unwell, has dull pains and periods of “calm”.This type is typical for osteochondrosis, intervertebral herniation and other chronic diseases of the spine;
- spicy.Suddenly the patient feels a sharp pain, and the uncomfortable feeling suddenly disappears.This image is typical for injuries, compressed nerve roots, and internal organ diseases.
Pay attention!In addition, patients may complain of persistent discomfort along the entire spine, headaches and other clinical manifestations of the underlying pathology.
Diagnose
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 occurred before the onset of unpleasant sensations.
Diagnosis is made:
- neurologist.Most victims should consult this doctor, because disc herniation and osteoarthritis are accompanied by nerve root compression and corresponding symptoms;
- orthopedic-traumatologist.In case of spinal deformity (kyphosis, scoliosis), ankylosing spondylitis, and various spinal injuries, you should see a specialist;
- general practitioner or family doctor.A doctor can often solve many problems for a patient.The doctor, knowing the family history and characteristics of the person, will determine the cause of the discomfort or refer you to a more specialized specialist.
To diagnose 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.
Choose effective treatment
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 course of treatment.
For discomfort in the shoulder blades, you should:
- Temporary pain relief.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used.Depending on the degree of discomfort, the drug is 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 impact on the shoulder blade area is a mandatory aspect of therapy.Manipulation relieves pain and reduces inflammation.Such methods cannot be used for tumors or purulent infectious diseases;
- massage, manual therapy.Only used when pain is caused by nerve root compression or vertebrae damage.Impact on the spine helps stretch the spine and relax the muscles;
- compress, lotion.Dimexide (1:3), alcohol (1:1) are used in proportion to water.Compressors deal with discomfort and reduce inflammation.Soak gauze in the prepared infusion, wrap 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 chooses an individual course of treatment.Self-medication is harmful to your health, even your life.
Preventive measures
The important thing is not to prevent discomfort but to prevent the root cause that causes it.
Expert recommendations:
- Massage regularly;
- avoid excessive exercise, but gentle exercise has a beneficial effect on muscle corsets;
- Avoid drafts and hypothermia;
- Eat right, try to give up bad habits.
An important role is played by promptly 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 higher the chance of full recovery and the risk of irreparable consequences for the body will be minimized.