Pain Between Your Shoulder Blades? This May Be the Reason

Pain between your shoulder blades, sometimes referred to as scapular pain, is a very common problem. In fact, it affects about 8 percent of adults in the United States. About 4.5 million Americans visit doctors about the condition every year, according to the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. 

 

Whether it’s a sharp spasm or a dull ache, scapular pain certainly is unpleasant. It’s important to understand the cause in order to treat it properly. In this article, we will examine the most common causes for this discomfort, how to recognize them, and when to see a doctor. 

 

1. Bad Posture 

Posture is probably the biggest contributor to scapular pain. Many of us spend daily hours sitting in front of a computer, which can definitely lead to discomfort between our shoulder blades, particularly if you slip into a forward-leaning position. This can easily happen when the screen is too far away, or our eyesight is not so good. Consider increasing the font size or lowering the resolution of your screen so you don't lean forward. 

 

 

When your shoulders are rounded forward instead of down your back and away from your ears, it flexes your neck forward too and causes the shoulders to rotate internally. The muscles on the front of your body, like the pecs or chest, get tight or overworked, and the muscles on the back of your body, like the mid traps, become weak or overstretched. This muscle imbalance leads to discomfort and potentially - a more serious injury. 

When you continuously lean forward, the neck and upper traps are stressed too because they must stabilize the head on top of their main purpose - to elevate or shrug the shoulders. This, too, can contribute to the pain. 

So, how can you improve your posture? Habits are hard to break, we know, but it’s definitely not impossible. To start, try to sit actively rather than passively. By sitting forward on your chair and staying upright, you’ll avoid relaxing into a poor position. Other steps you can take include: 

 

Making sure to keep your chest tall, with shoulders rolled down and back and away from your ears.

 

Keeping your head over your shoulders, rather than in front of them. 

 

If you work on a computer, the screen should be at your eye level and the keyboard close enough so you don’t have to reach for it. 

 

For more in-depth tips on improving your posture, take a look at our previous article 8 Great Tips For Improving Your Posture. There is also a variety of exercises that can help you strengthen the muscles in the shoulder area and improve your posture. You can find them here - 10 Easy Exercises to Improve Posture. 

 

2. Nerve compression

 

There are a number of nerve-related issues which can lead to pain between the shoulder blades. One common trigger for scapular pain is compression of the cervical spine (the neck region). It is usually the result of sitting in a rounded position for long periods of time. 

 

Another possible cause of shoulder blade pain is thoracic outlet syndrome. This is an umbrella name for a group of disorders that occur when the blood vessels or nerves in the space between your collarbone and your first rib are compressed. The common causes for thoracic outlet syndrome include physical trauma from an injury, certain anatomical defects, or pregnancy. 

 

The condition is characterized by pain and weakness in the shoulders, and tingling or pain in the fingers. Usually, physical therapy can help ease those symptoms, strengthen the chest and improve your posture.  

 

3. Rotator cuff injuries

 

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint. A tear in your rotator cuff can be caused by overusing or repetitively performing overhead motions. Tennis players and baseball pitchers, for example, who constantly repeat hitting and throwing motions, are at higher risk of rotator cuff injuries. But you don't have to be a professional athlete to suffer from this condition. It can be the result of any repetitive overhead motion, like painting a wall or lifting heavy objects. 

 

Another contributor to rotator cuff tear is age. According to the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, people over 40 are more prone to such injuries. If you suspect a rotator cuff injury, consult a doctor for an assessment and a treatment plan. Usually, physical therapy will help, but more severe cases might require surgery.

4. Herniated disc 

 

Another condition that might cause pain between the shoulder blades is a herniated disc. Discs are soft, rubbery pads position between each bony vertebra. They act as shock absorbers to the spine, hold the vertebrae together, and allow for slight mobility in the spine. 

 

Age increases the risk for a herniated disc - a condition where the softer material inside the disc slips through its tough outer layer, sometimes compressing nerves and causing pain. It can also be the result of repetitive and intense exercise. 

 

Besides pain between your shoulder blades, you might experience weakness in the arm, tingling, or burning pain. Occasionally, a herniated disc is treated with surgery. However, depending on the severity, a herniated disc can also be eased with rest, over-the-counter pain relievers, anti-inflammatory medication, and muscle relaxers. 

 

 

5. Gallbladder issues

The gallbladder is a tiny sac-like organ found under the liver. Its function is to store bile, a fluid produced by the liver that helps break down fatty foods. Gallstones - hard pieces of material often made up of cholesterol - can develop in the gallbladder and block the bile ducts. 

 

While the most common symptom of gallstone disease is abdominal pain, A study published in 2018 found that about 37 percent of patients with gallstone disease complained of shoulder or back pain. 

 

This condition leads to sudden and sharp pain and requires immediate medical attention. The gallbladder is not an essential organ, so surgery to take it out is often a viable treatment if you develop medical issues with it. 

 

When to see a doctor?

Most of the conditions we mentioned above can be tricky to identify and can be easily confused with the effects of bad posture, so it can be difficult to be sure whether your situation requires medical attention. 

 

According to physical therapist Colleen Louw, spokesperson for the American Physical Therapy Association, if you have tried improving your posture and you regularly exercise to strengthen and stretch the muscles of the upper body, yet you still experience pain, it’s time to consult your doctor. “Pain is meant to protect—it’s an output from the brain, based on the perception of threat,” she told the Healthy. 

 

Other things to look out for are: unexplained weight-loss, redness, swelling, or warmth in the shoulder areas. Another common warning sign is waking up at night due to pain. If you notice those warning signs or experience persistent pain between your shoulder blades, it’s best to seek help to avoid any long-term issues. 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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7 Serious Causes Of Tingling Sensations In the Back

We often underestimate a sensation of tingling or numbness in the back and dismiss it as our back simply “falling asleep” much like our hands or legs often do, but these symptoms may indicate a bigger problem. An unexplained, new or persistent occurrence of pins and needles sensations, also called paresthesia, in the back can be caused by nerve damage. 

 

Many equally serious conditions ranging from spinal injuries to tumors can cause paresthesia in the back, and all of these conditions require medical attention, so if you experience persistent tingling and numbness in your back along with some of the other symptoms we will list, it definitely warrants a doctors visit. You can read about the 7 most common conditions that cause tingling in the back below.

1. Spinal infections

Several strands of bacteria or fungi can sometimes penetrate the spinal column, causing inflammation and damaging your nerves, which can cause tingling in the back. These infections can occur as a complication of surgery and injury, or they develop spontaneously.

People who are at risk of developing spinal infections are those who suffer from chronic conditions like diabetes, HIV, cancer, obesity and those who are taking immunosuppressants. The symptoms can vary from hardly noticeable to debilitating depending on the severity of the condition, but they do tend to worsen with time.

The most common symptoms of spinal infections include

A stiff and painful back

Numbness or tingling in the back, it can also happen in the limbs

 

Fever, chills and headache

 

The skin in the affected area can be hot and tender to the touch and red

 

Spasms ans muscle weakness

 

 

2. Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition the causes of which are still unknown, but scientists today have begun to understand that there is both a biological and psychological aspect to it. The condition is more common in women than it is in men, and it can manifest itself very differently.

Most patients suffering from fibromyalgia have specific tender points around the different joints in the body that are tender to the touch and often become very painful. Some patients also experience tingling and numbness in different parts of the body.

Other biological and psychological symptoms of fibromyalgia include:

Headaches

Fatigue and Trouble falling asleep

 

Depression and anxiety

 

Brain fog and difficulty concentrating

 

 

 

3. Arteriovenous malformations

An arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is an abnormally shaped or tangled blood vessel. These tangled blood vessels develop while a baby is still in their mother’s womb, but scientists aren’t sure why they occur.

AVMs can develop in any part of the body, but they are typically found when they occur in the brain or spinal cord because, in these cases, they can cause severe symptoms. The main problem with these malformations is that it can block or otherwise affect blood flow to certain body parts and nerves in particular.

Depending on the location, AVMs can cause the following symptoms:

Tingling, numbness and back pain

 

Headaches and dizziness

 

Seizures

 

Vision Problems

 

speech problems

 

Loss of co-ordination

 

 

 

 

4. Spondylolisthesis

Our spines are complicated and fragile systems, and one weak or misplaced link can disrupt the entire system. In spondylolisthesis, one of the vertebrae in the spine, typically in the lower back slips out of its place, and sometimes, this misplacement can press on a nerve, causing tingling and pain in the affected area.

This pain and tingling can even radiate to the thighs and worsen with physical activity. Sitting and leaning forward can usually relieve the pain. The compressed nerve can manifest itself through other symptoms as well, such as: 

 

A stiff back

Weakness in the legs

Difficulty walking and standing for extended periods of time.

5. Spinal Fractures

Fractured vertebrae, too, can cause numbness and tingling in the back. Like any other fractures, spinal fractures are usually the result of trauma and injury, but people with weakened bones and the elderly can get these fractures more easily. 

 

The majority of spinal fractures happen in the lower or middle parts of the back, and they can be very painful and make it difficult to stay active, as movement usually worsens the pain. When the fracture causes severe nerve damage, these fractures can make it difficult for the patient to move their legs or even control their bladder and bowel movements.

6. Spinal cord tumor

Both malignant and benign tumors in or near the spine can cause a pins and needles sensation in the back. Benign tumors can press on the spinal cord, whereas malignant tumors can also invade the surrounding tissue, both of which can affect the nerves. The symptoms and their severity depend on the location of the tumor, as well as its size, but the most common symptoms include: Back pain 

 

Numbness and paresthesia in the back, neck or limbs 

 

Weakness and poor coordination in the limbs

 

Insensitivity to temperature or pain 

 

 Incontinence.

7.Shingles

 

 

Shingles is an itchy and painful rash that can develop on any area of the skin, typically on the back or neck. The rash develops into painful blisters filled with liquid that eventually turn into scabs and clear up in a month. Both shingles and chickenpox are caused by the same virus, and a person can get shingles only if they had chickenpox because the varicella zoster virus stays dormant in the body all your lifetime. 

 

Unlike chickenpox, however, it is possible to get shingles more than once and the severity of the symptoms can vary each time. Before a rash appears, some patients experience itching, tingling and burning sensations in the area. Like any other viral infection, shingles can come with headaches, fever, chills and an upset stomach.

 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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Identifying and Treating a Herniated Disc

Many patients with leg pain, back pain, or weak lower extremity muscles are diagnosed with a herniated disc. When a disc herniation occurs, the cushion that lies between the spinal vertebra is pushed out of its regular position. A herniated disc wouldn't really be an issue if it weren't for the spinal nerves that are extremely close to the edge of these cushioning discs.

Spinal Discs

The spinal disc is the soft cushion that sits between each vertebra of the spine. 

 

This disc becomes more rigid with age. In young individuals, the disc is soft and elastic, but much like many other of the body's structures, it gradually loses its elasticity and becomes more vulnerable to injury. In fact, even in individuals in their 20s, MRIs frequently show early evidence of disc deterioration. 

 

As the spinal disc loses its elasticity, it can rupture. When a rupture occurs, a part of the spinal disc pushes away from its normal boundary, causing a herniated disc. When a herniated disc bulges out from between the vertebrae, the spinal cord and the spinal nerves may become pinched. If a herniated disc is pushed far enough, these structures may become compressed, and that's where the pain begins. 

 

Symptoms of a Herniated Disc

There a quite a number of reasons behind why someone might develop a herniated disc. It may occur gradually with repetitive straining of the spine, or it might occur suddenly in an event such as an accident or a fall. 

 

People who experience a herniated disc often already have spinal stenosis, a problem that causes narrowing of the space around the spinal nerves and spinal cord. A herniated disc would then further reduce the amount of space remaining, leading to irritation of the nerve. 

 

Some of the most common symptoms of a herniated disc include electric shock pain, coupled with sensations of tingling and numbness. If these sensations are felt in your arms, then this indicates a compression in the neck region. If you feel electric shocks going down through your legs, then you've probably got a compression in your lower back. 

 

If you've got a herniated disc, then you might also experience muscle weakness, due to the interruption of certain brain signals. Bowel or bladder problems are other common symptoms of a herniated disc, and these shouldn't be ignored since they may be a sign of cauda equina syndrome. If you're finding it hard to have bowel movements, urinate, or if you experience numbness around your genitals, then visit your doctor immediately! 

 

Diagnosis and Treatment of a Herniated Disc

Typically, your doctor will be able to diagnose a herniated disc through a thorough physical examination, by testing reflexes, sensation, and muscle strength. An MRI is also commonly used to make the diagnosis more accurate. 

 

While people diagnosed with a herniated disc sometimes have to undergo surgery, it is usually considered as a last resort, especially in less severe cases. There are many different treatments an individual can try out first, and the most effective include: 

 

• Rest & Activity Modification 

The first treatment is to rest and to avoid carrying out any activities that might aggravate your symptoms. Many disc herniations will resolve if given enough time. 

 

• Ice & Heat Applications 

 These can be extremely helpful in relieving a disc herniation's most painful symptoms. By helping to relax the back's muscles, ice and heat applications can relieve muscle spasms and provide efficient pain relief. 

 

• Anti-Inflammatory Medications 

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) are often prescribed, and help to relieve some of the pain. By reducing inflammation, these medications can reduce some of the pressure on the compressed nerves. NSAIDs should only be used under a doctor's supervision. 

 

• Oral Steroid Medications  

These can be very helpful in episodes of an acute (sudden) disc herniation. Some of these medications include Prednisone and Medrol. Like NSAIDs, these powerful anti-inflammatory medications can relieve your symptoms by reducing inflammation around the compressed nerves. 

 

• Other Medications  

Other medications used include muscle relaxers and narcotic pain medications. Narcotic pain medications are useful for severe, short-term pain management. Be warned though, these medications can be addictive and can make you drowsy. It is important to use these for only short stretches of time. Muscle relaxers are used to treat the spinal muscle spasms often seen with disc herniations. Such muscle spasms are often worse than the pain from the disc pressing on the nerves, so muscle relaxers provide some welcome relief. 

 

• Epidural Steroid Injections 

Cortisone injections can be administered directly to the area of nerve compression. Like oral anti-inflammatory medications, the idea is to relieve the compression on the nerves. When an injection is used, the medication is delivered directly to the affected area, rather than traveling throughout your entire body, as is the case with oral medication.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement