Back pain is a common complaint among people of different age groups.Unpleasant sensations often occur in the area between the shoulder blades.Pain syndrome can be associated with spinal pathologies, disorders of internal organs.
The use of ointments for pain relief and other analgesics is not an option.Relieving the discomfort will improve your well-being, but the pathological process will further destroy the spinal column 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 the therapy to professionals.
Possible causes of pain
Why does my back hurt in the area of the shoulder blades?Remember: pain is a symptom of other diseases, 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 that cause pain in the shoulder blades: pathologies of the spinal column, diseases of internal organs.Let's consider each group of possible causes in detail.
Intervertebral hernia
This phenomenon is quite rare;often the lumbar region is affected, not the chest.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 is significantly reduced, which leads to pinching of the nerve roots.The annulus fibrosus acts as a shock absorber.
An intervertebral hernia in the thoracic region is characterized by local pain, sometimes the discomfort spreads to the chest, which resembles the symptoms of diseases of the respiratory tract and heart.
Tuberculosis of the spine
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 an X-ray.
Often, the disease is detected in an advanced form, when the patient already has numerous 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 thoracic region, which can spread to nearby tissues.
Muscle strain, hypothermia
Excessive physical activity, improper exercise 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 health condition 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 should take NSAIDs and rub with special ointments.Avoid drafts and avoid excessive physical activity.
Scoliosis
Every schoolchild has heard about this disease from teachers and parents while sitting at the wrong desk.Adults forget about 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, which often affects the thoracic, cervical and spinal parts.The ribs are closely connected to the thoracic part, so patients complain of pain in the shoulder blades.
Characteristic signs of scoliosis include:
- increased back muscle fatigue;
- one shoulder may be located higher than the other;
- discomfort in the shoulder blades appears after physical work, long sitting at the computer or can follow the victim on a constant basis.
Spondyloarthrosis
The disease is similar to osteochondrosis;differences can only be noticed by experts 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 diagnosed even in children;The cause of the pain is an inflammatory process in the soft tissues that are located near the damaged vertebrae, additionally compressing 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 spinal column:
- 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, the discomfort does not last longer than five minutes, the blood pressure drops sharply and a cold sweat appears.In this case, call an ambulance;
- gastrointestinal diseases.Pancreatitis, cholecystitis, peptic ulcers 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 pain.
Back pain during pregnancy
Against the background of increased load, curvature of the spine and the unusual state of the body while carrying a child, patients experience various 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 epidural anesthesia, which is often used for caesarean sections.The procedure itself involves the insertion of a special catheter into the epidural space, where the necessary time remains without contact with the spinal cord.Pain medication is given through a catheter, which causes the lower body to lose sensation for a period of time.
Improper manipulation, sharp turns during catheter placement and other unforeseen circumstances lead to damage to the membranes and substance of the spinal cord.The procedure itself is complex and requires the maximum professionalism of the doctor.
Symptoms
The nature of pain in the shoulder blades is of great importance and helps to discover the cause of the discomfort:
- chronic - the victim constantly feels bad, there are attacks of dull pain and periods of "calm down".This type is typical for osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernias and other chronic diseases of the spinal column;
- angry.Suddenly, the patient feels a stab of pain, and the discomfort also suddenly disappears.This picture is typical for traumatic injuries, pinched 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.
Diagnostics
What to do if your back hurts in the area of the shoulder blades?Often, patients do not know which specialist to turn to.It all depends on the nature of the pain, its duration and the negative events that preceded the onset of symptoms.
The diagnosis is made:
- neurologist.Most victims should consult this doctor, because intervertebral hernias and osteochondrosis are accompanied by pinching of nerve roots and corresponding symptoms;
- orthopedic traumatologist.In case of spinal deformity (kyphosis, scoliosis), ankylosing spondylitis, various traumatic injuries of the spinal column, it is recommended to visit this specialist;
- general practitioner or family doctor.A doctor often solves many problems of patients.The doctor, knowing the family history and characteristics of the person, will determine what caused the discomfort or will refer you to a more specialized specialist.
Several studies are used to diagnose pain in the shoulder blades: radiography, CT, MRI, blood tests, urine tests.Specific manipulations depend on the nature of the pain and the presence of accompanying complaints.
Effective treatment options
In the case of acute pain, the main task is to relieve it.Then they discover 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 discomfort, drugs are used in the form of tablets, ointments, injections;
- physiotherapy treatment (magnetotherapy, UHF, shock wave therapy, mud therapy).In the case of problems with the spine, physiotherapeutic influence on the area of the shoulder blades is a mandatory aspect of therapy.Manipulations relieve pain and reduce inflammation.Such methods cannot be used for tumors or infectious diseases with the formation of pus;
- massage, manual therapy.It is used only for pain caused by pinched nerve roots or damage to the vertebrae.Spinal strokes help to stretch and relax the muscles;
- compresses, lotions.Dimexide (1:3), alcohol (1:1) are used in a ratio with water.Compresses cope with unpleasant sensations and relieve inflammation.Soak 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 selects 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 causes that caused it.
Expert recommendations:
- Massage yourself regularly;
- avoid excessive exercise, but light physical activity has 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 do not occur in one day.The sooner you start treatment, the greater the probability of a full recovery, and the risks of irreversible consequences for the body are minimized.