What makes your shoulder blades hurt

Early Treatments for Upper Back Pain. Intercostal Muscle Strain Symptoms and Diagnosis. What Causes Neck and Shoulder Pain? You are here Blog. By Grant Cooper, MD. Mizutamari M. Corresponding scapular pain with the nerve root involved in cervical radiculopathy. J Orthop Surg. Aortic dissection. For example, a heart attack is more likely to cause pain in the left shoulder blade.

Gallbladder disease is more likely to cause pain in the right shoulder blade. As the shoulder blade is a bone, it is possible for a person to experience a fracture.

This is an unlikely occurrence in most cases, as it requires a fall, an accident, or a similar direct injury to the shoulder blade. As a person ages, degenerative conditions may cause shoulder blade pain. Some of these conditions include:. More specifically, a type of arthritis called ankylosing spondylitis is most common among people aged 20— It is a form of arthritis that primarily affects the spine, but it can cause pain and inflammation to surrounding areas.

Certain cancers may also cause pain in the shoulders and shoulder blades. The most common cancers that may cause shoulder blade pain include lung cancer, breast cancer , and colon cancer. It is very common for a person to experience a musculoskeletal issue that causes shoulder blade pain. Overuse, strains, sleeping akwardly, and rotator cuff issues all fall into this category.

These problems are often related to pain in the muscle groups surrounding the shoulders, including some of the arm muscles. One of the more serious causes of shoulder blade pain is heart-related problems. Healthcare professionals note that localized pain in the left shoulder may be a sign of a heart attack, particularly in women. Women experiencing pain in the shoulder blade that cannot be explained by a musculoskeletal problem should seek immediate medical attention.

Certain lung conditions may also cause referred pain in the shoulder blades. Some examples of lung conditions include:. There are some conditions that occur in the abdomen that may cause shoulder blade pain. Issues with the abdomen area that may cause shoulder blade pain include:. Scoliosis does not always cause symptoms, but some people with this condition may experience back pain. Exercise will help strengthen muscles in the upper back and shoulders, which can reduce muscle strain and pain.

Myofascial pain syndrome is a long-term health condition that causes pain in specific muscle groups. Unlike with other chronic pain conditions, pain does not occur throughout the body. A trigger point in a muscle will cause pain in the area. In the upper back, it may cause pain across the group of muscles around the spine, neck, and shoulders. Gradual wear and tear of the joints over time can cause osteoarthritis.

The symptoms include stiffness, pain, and swelling, which can cause difficulty in moving the joints. Injuring or overusing the joints can increase the risk of osteoarthritis. Some people have a job that requires frequent reaching overhead or heavy lifting. This work can lead to osteoarthritis in the shoulder joints and upper back pain later in life. Maintaining good posture, keeping the muscles in the shoulders and upper back strong, and avoiding heavy lifting can help prevent pain between the shoulder blades.

People who sit at a desk for long periods may benefit from a comfortable chair to prevent upper back pain. They should try to keep the spine in a natural position without hunching the shoulders or pushing the neck forward. Regular exercise can help a person maintain a moderate weight, which reduces strain on the back.

Stress can cause tension in the upper back and shoulders. Yoga or stretching exercises can help ease tight muscles. It is easy to strain muscles in the upper back and cause pain between the shoulder blades.

Common causes are leaning over a laptop, carrying heavy bags, or sitting in an uncomfortable seat for long periods. Most causes of upper back pain are mild. Blann A. What is the purpose of liver function tests? Nurs Times. Negative chest X-rays in primary care patients with lung cancer. Br J Gen Pract. Referred shoulder pain. Kibler, W. Scapular dyskinesis and its relation to shoulder injury. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.

Suh, B. Can axial pain be helpful to determine surgical level in the multilevel cervical radiculopathy. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery. Warth, R. Scapulothoracic bursitis and snapping scapula syndrome: a critical review of current evidence.

American Journal of Sports Medicine. Wright, A. Diagnostic accuracy of scapular physical examination tests for shoulder disorders: a systemic review. British Journal of Sports Medicine.

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Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. Heart attacks, especially in women, need to be considered with any form of pain in the torso. Physical Therapy for Shoulder Pain. Frequently Asked Questions What is referred pain? How can I relieve shoulder blade pain? Why do I feel pain between my shoulder blades? Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign Up. What are your concerns? Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles.

Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Epub ahead of print Choi, H.

Scapuloplasty alleviates scapular pain resulting from lung cancer metastasis.