Back pain is a common complaint among people of different age groups.Unpleasant sensations are often noted in the area between the shoulder blades.Pain syndrome can be associated with pathologies of the spine, disorders of internal organs.
Using analgesic ointments and other painkillers 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 problem 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 unpleasant sensations.Experts distinguish two categories of causes causing pain in the shoulder blades: pathologies of the spine, diseases of the internal organs.Let's consider each group of possible causes in detail.
Intervertebral hernia
This phenomenon is quite rare;It is often the lumbar region that is affected, and not the thoracic region.The pathology is characterized by the fact that the annulus fibrosus, against the background of various negative factors, begins to swell, the distance between the vertebrae significantly decreases, which leads to pinching of the nerve roots.The annulus fibrosus 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, which resembles 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 bruise.Pathology cannot always be recognized in time, even by x-ray.
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 shoulder blades.A characteristic sign of tuberculosis is high body temperature, burning sensation in the chest area, which can spread to nearby tissues.
Muscle tension, hypothermia
Excessive physical activity, improper exercise in the gym and constant sitting in an uncomfortable position lead to overload of 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 blades intensifies, the patient needs to take NSAIDs and rub with special ointments.Avoid drafts and avoid excessive physical activity.
Scoliosis
Every schoolchild heard about this disease from teachers and parents while sitting uncomfortably at his 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 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, prolonged sitting at the computer, or can accompany the victim continuously.
Spondyloarthrosis
The disease is similar to osteochondrosis;the differences can only be noted by specialists 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 pain is the inflammatory process in the soft tissues adjacent to the damaged vertebrae, further pinching the nerves.
Diseases of internal organs
All organs and systems of the body are interconnected;pain in the shoulder blades can indicate many diseases not related to the spine:
- diseases of the cardiovascular system.Myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease, and angina can cause sharp chest pain radiating to the shoulder blades.During an acute attack, the discomfort lasts no more than five minutes, blood pressure drops sharply and cold sweats appear.In this case, call an ambulance;
- gastrointestinal diseases.Pancreatitis, cholecystitis and peptic ulcers are common causes of chest pain originating 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 cough, chills, fever and muscle pain.
Back pain during pregnancy
Against the background of increased load, curvature of the spine and the body in an unusual state when carrying 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 cesarean sections.The procedure itself involves the insertion of a special catheter into the epidural space, where it remains for the required period without coming into contact with the spinal cord.Painkillers are administered through a catheter, which causes a loss of sensation in the lower body for a period of time.
Improper handling, sharp turns when inserting 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 allows you to find out the cause of the discomfort:
- chronic – the victim constantly feels 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 pang in the heart and the discomfort also suddenly disappears.This picture is typical for traumatic injuries, pinched nerve roots and diseases of internal organs.
Be careful!Additionally, patients may complain of persistent discomfort throughout the spine, headaches, and other clinical manifestations of the underlying disease.
Diagnosis
What to do if you have back pain 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 appearance of the discomfort.
The diagnosis is carried out:
- neurologist.Most victims should consult this doctor, because intervertebral hernias and osteochondrosis are accompanied by pinched nerve roots and corresponding symptoms;
- orthopedist-traumatologist.In the event of spinal deformity (kyphosis, scoliosis), ankylosing spondylitis, various traumatic spinal injuries, it is advisable to consult this specialist;
- general practitioner or family doctor.A doctor often solves many problems for patients.The doctor, knowing the family history and the characteristics of the person, will identify the cause of the discomfort or refer you to a more specialized specialist.
To make a diagnosis of pain in the shoulder blades, several studies are used: x-ray, scanner, 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 treatment.
For unpleasant sensations in the shoulder blades, it is recommended:
- temporary pain relief.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories are used.Depending on the severity of the discomfort, drugs are used in the form of tablets, ointments, injections;
- physiotherapy treatment (magnetotherapy, UHF, shock wave therapy, mud therapy).In case of spinal 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 tumors or infectious diseases with pus formation;
- massage, manual therapy.Used only for pain caused by pinched 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 to water.Compresses cope with unpleasant sensations and relieve inflammation.Dip the gauze in 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, even to life.
Prevention 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 muscular corset;
- avoid drafts, hypothermia;
- eat right, try to give up bad habits.
Prompt contact with a specialist in case of pain between the shoulder blades plays an important role.Pathological changes are not formed in one day.The sooner you start treatment, the greater the chances of complete recovery and the risks of irreparable consequences for the body are minimized.