Back pain is a common complaint among people of different age groups.Unpleasant sensations are often noticed in the area between the shoulder blades.The pain syndrome can be associated with pathologies of the spine, disorders of internal organs.
The use of 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 matter responsibly and entrust the 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, not a separate pathology.Only by identifying the main cause of the discomfort can you overcome the disease and get rid of the 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 take a closer look at each group of possible causes.
Intervertebral hernia
This phenomenon is quite rare;the lumbar region is often affected rather than the thoracic region.The pathology is characterized by the fact that the fibrous ring, against the background of various negative factors, begins to protrude, the distance between the vertebrae decreases significantly, which leads to pinching of the nerve roots.Annulus fibrosus acts as a shock absorber.
Intervertebral hernia in the thoracic region is characterized by local 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 is a carrier of 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 on X-rays.
Often the disease is detected 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 an elevated body temperature, a burning sensation in the chest area, which can spread to nearby tissues.
Muscle tension, hypothermia
Excessive physical activity, incorrect exercises in the gym and constant sitting in an uncomfortable position lead to overstrain 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 area of the shoulder blades intensifies, the patient must 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 while sitting incorrectly at the desk.Adults forget about 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 that often affects the thoracic, cervical and spinal regions.The ribs are closely connected to the chest area, 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 positioned higher than the other;
- discomfort in the shoulder blades appears after physical labor, long sitting at the computer, or may accompany the victim constantly.
Spondyloarthrosis
The disease is similar to osteochondrosis;differences can only be noticed 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 the pain is the inflammatory process in the soft tissues that are adjacent to the damaged vertebrae, further pressing 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 sharp chest pain radiating to the shoulder blades.During an acute attack, the discomfort lasts no more than five minutes, the blood pressure drops sharply and a 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.Pain in the shoulder blades is accompanied by cough, chills, fever and muscle aches.
Back pain during pregnancy
Against the background of increased load, curvature of the spine and unusual state of the body while carrying a child, patients experience varying degrees of pain.The 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 the epidural anesthesia that is often used in caesarean sections.The procedure itself involves placing a special catheter in the epidural space, where it remains for the necessary time without coming into contact with the spinal cord.Painkillers are administered through a catheter, causing the lower body to lose sensation for a period of time.
Improper manipulation, sharp turns during the introduction 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 on the part of the doctor.
Symptoms
The nature of the pain in the shoulder blades is of great importance and helps to establish the cause of the discomfort:
- chronic - the victim constantly feels bad, there are bouts 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 piercing pain and the discomfort also suddenly disappears.This picture is characteristic of traumatic injuries, pinched nerve roots and diseases of internal organs.
Pay attention!In addition, patients may complain of unpleasant sensations throughout the spine, headaches and other clinical manifestations of the underlying disease.
Diagnosis
What to do if your back hurts in the shoulder blade area?Patients often do not know which specialist to turn to.It all depends on the nature of the pain, its duration and the negative events preceding the onset of discomfort.
The diagnosis is made:
- neurologistMost victims should consult this doctor, since intervertebral hernias and osteochondrosis are accompanied by pinching of nerve roots and the corresponding symptoms;
- orthopedic traumatologist.In case of deformation of the spine (kyphosis, scoliosis), ankylosing spondylitis, various traumatic injuries of the spine, it is recommended to visit this specialist;
- general practitioner or family doctor.The doctor often solves many problems of the patients.The doctor, knowing the family history and the features of the person, will determine what caused the discomfort or refer you to a more specialized specialist.
To diagnose pain in the shoulder blades, several tests are used: radiography, 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 its relief.Then they determine the cause of the discomfort and prescribe the necessary therapeutic course.
For unpleasant sensations in the shoulder blades, it is recommended:
- temporary pain relief.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used.Depending on the severity of the discomfort, drugs are used in the form of tablets, ointments, injections;
- physiotherapy treatment (magnetic therapy, UHF, shock wave therapy, mud therapy).In the case of problems with the spine, a mandatory aspect of the therapy is the physiotherapeutic effect on the area of the shoulder blades.Manipulations relieve pain and reduce inflammation.Such methods cannot be used for tumor or infectious diseases with pus formation;
- massage, manual therapy.It is 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 a ratio with water.Compresses deal with unpleasant sensations and relieve inflammation.Soak the gauze in the finished 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 chooses an individual therapeutic course.Self-medication is harmful to health, even life.
Prevention measures
It is important to prevent not the discomfort itself, but the root causes that caused it.
Expert recommendations:
- Get a regular massage;
- avoid excessive load, but light physical exercises have a beneficial effect on the muscle corset;
- avoid drafts, 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 one day.The earlier you start the treatment, the greater the probability of a full recovery and the risks of irreparable consequences for the body are minimized.