Back Shoulder Blade Pain
Back shoulder blade pain is usually caused by muscle strain, but it may also be a sign of a serious health condition. It may be caused by a rib or cartilage injury, or it can also be an indication of a heart problem. If the pain is not relieved by home remedies, a doctor should be consulted for a diagnosis and treatment plan.
The musculoskeletal injuries that cause pain between the shoulders include problems with muscles controlling the scapula (shoulder blade) and the ligaments that connect the muscles to the bones, as well as the tendons connecting those tendons to the bones. Other causes of pain between the shoulders are referred pain from the chest and abdomen, such as from peptic ulcer disease, acid reflux, or gallstones; and pain due to shingles, which often leads to chronic burning sensations called postherpetic neuralgia.
Some of these conditions can be prevented by maintaining good posture, which involves pulling the shoulder blades back together and bringing them forward so that they rest against your body. Over-the-counter pain medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), can be used to reduce inflammation and relieve some types of shoulder blade pain, but they should always be taken as directed on the label.
Other treatments for reducing shoulder blade pain often involve physical therapy, which is recommended by most doctors and therapists. This will likely include strengthening exercises that target the area and stretching exercises to help relieve tension in the muscles. For most types of shoulder blade pain, the outlook is good, and most people recover with proper treatment.find a chiropractor