Causes
There are many possible causes for pain between your shoulder blades. An injury to a muscle or tendon is a common reason for this type of pain. Muscle strains can result from:- heavy lifting
- poor posture
- working at a computer for extended periods of time
- exercise
Other causes for shoulder blade pain include:
- degenerative disc disease, or a herniated or bulging disc in the spine
- scoliosis
- osteoarthritis in the joints around your neck, spine, or ribs
- spinal stenosis, or a narrowing of your spinal cord
- acid reflux
- fibromyalgia
- certain cancers, such as lung cancer, lymphomas, liver cancer, esophageal cancer, mesothelioma, and cancers that spread to bones
- nerve compression
Diagnosis
Your doctor will begin by taking a careful history and doing a physical exam. Many causes of shoulder blade pain can be diagnosed based on your medical history. Doctor will perform a careful physical exam, yet studies suggest that it’s often difficult to diagnose the cause of shoulder blade pain based on physical exam alone. Other tests and studies may include:- Radiological studies. Radiologic studies may include a chest x-ray, a CT scan of your chest or other regions of your body, an MRI of your chest or other regions, and/or a PET scan if you have a history of cancer.
- Heart tests. If your doctor is at all concerned that your pain may be originating in your heart, tests such as an EKG or stress test may be recommended.
Treatment
Treatment depends largely on the exact cause of the pain. For simple cases of overuse, strain, or sleeping poorly, a person may be able to try a range of treatments from home. These may include:- rest
- ice
- medications, such as ibuprofen
- medicated rubs and ointments
- stretching
- massages
