Heaviness between the shoulder blades and hard to breathe. What can cause pain between the shoulder blades in the spine

With soreness between the shoulder blades, patients often attribute unpleasant symptoms to back muscle fatigue and an unsuccessful sleeping or sitting position. But there are many reasons why it can hurt in this area: kyphosis, disc protrusion, thoracic injuries, sciatica, flat feet. Often the causes are pathologies internal organs(heart, lungs, liver or kidneys).

The nature of pain and their clinical picture is also different. She can wear different shape: be periodic, aching, bursting, sometimes there are numbness of the limbs or tingling between the shoulder blades.

Expert opinion

Astafiev Igor Valentinovich

Neurologist - City Pokrovskaya Hospital. Education: Volgograd State medical University, Volgograd. Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after A.I. HM. Berbekova, Nalchik.

Therefore, you should not make a “diagnosis” for yourself, but you need to be examined by a doctor who will prescribe the appropriate treatment.

The reasons

Pain between shoulder blades can have many reasons:

• Household background. The patient often has work associated with a sedentary lifestyle. He sleeps uncomfortably or is in static positions for a long time.
• Injuries. Dislocations, bruises, fractures.
• Physical load on the back. The lack of gymnastics and sports exercises leads in the long run to pain between the shoulder blades and discomfort. Too much load also negatively affects the condition of the spine.
• Pathologies of the thoracic spine (kyphosis, thoracic spine)
• Diseases of internal organs (heart, lungs, etc.)
• Diseases associated with infection.

Kyphosis of the thoracic spine

Description of the disease
it congenital or acquired pathology which is characterized by curvature of the spine. Visually manifested in a hump or stoop, and the physiological curvature of the spine is more than normal. It is often the result of a birth injury or appears due to pathologies of the spine.

Ask your question to a neurologist for free

Irina Martynova. Graduated from the Voronezh State Medical University. N.N. Burdenko. Clinical intern and neurologist of BUZ VO \"Moscow Polyclinic\".

Begin with childhood, rarely develops at the age of 25 to 30 days.

The nature of the pain
The pains are burning aching in nature, irrigate in the lower back and cervical region. Pain is caused by increased muscle tone and squeezing of organs inside chest. In parallel with this, the discs between the vertebrae are destroyed. There are movement restrictions.

If compression of the nerves occurs, then the pain becomes shooting in nature. Numbness of the affected area is added to the sharp soreness.
Localization of pain
Pain is localized between the shoulder blades, with the development of kyphosis in the cervical or lumbar discomfort can be shifted to the affected area.

A person quickly gets tired even from minimal load.

Physician Intervention
An orthopedic doctor diagnoses and treats the disease.

The impact on the disease must be complex. It includes:

• Treatment with medicines to maintain the condition of internal organs. With severe pain, this nonsteroidal drugs or analgesics (Analgin, Diclofenac). If the pathology negatively affects the intervertebral discs, then doctors prescribe chondroprotectors (,). It is also recommended to take vitamins to replenish micro and macro elements.
• Orthopedic therapy. For this, the patient should wear a corset or posture corrector. The corrector is worn at the initial stage of the pathology, which is characterized by stoop and muscle weakness. The corset is used in conjunction with therapeutic exercises or surgery. It brings the vertebrae to a physiological state. Such therapy is prescribed only by a doctor.
• manual therapy and physiotherapy. To relieve pain and to overcome stoop, doctors recommend massage, acupuncture and a complex. Massage increases blood flow in the affected area of ​​the back, improves tissue nutrition, relieves spasms. Acupuncture will help stimulate muscle tissue in cases where the patient cannot perform gymnastics. Therapeutic gymnastics increases muscle tone, normalizes the functioning of the spine, improves breathing.
• Operation. Surgical intervention is performed when other treatment does not help, if the curvature of the spine develops rapidly, compression of the nerves increases and spinal cord.

Osteochondrosis

Description of the disease
it negative dystrophic changes discs between vertebrae, other fabrics. The spine compresses, destroying the discs. They, in turn, become less elastic. The discs pinch the nerves, pain and swelling begin in the affected area. Often, the disease leads to immobilization of a person and disability. Often with osteochondrosis, osteophytes grow. These are growths on the bones or articular processes that develop along with chondrosis or after an injury to the thoracic region.

Even if osteophytes are removed surgically, they begin to grow again.

1. The goal of treatment is to eliminate the deformity of the spine. The patient is recommended to wear corsets and corrective belts.
2. Massage course
3. Manual therapy course
4. At stage 4, the disease is treated only surgically.
5. Swimming helps to temporarily stop the development of the disease.

Description of the disease
bone disease in which they prone to fractures due to a lack of calcium in their composition. The patient is constantly haunted by a crack in the bone tissue and fractures. Reason: disturbed metabolic processes in the body. It develops in women during menopause, menopause, when the hormonal background “goes astray”.

This pathology is more prone to women after forty years.

The nature of the pain
Pain sensations can be in the form of chronic manifestations and acute attacks.

Attacks with acute pain. Most often this is a sign of a microfracture, it is often confused with a “lumbago”. Pain peaks between 14 and 21 days after injury. It can give from one part of the spine to another. The spine becomes more and more deformed with each such fracture, which can affect the patient's growth.

Chronic pain begins due to the lack of treatment of microfractures. The patient has a change in the location of fragments of the spinal column.

In this case, the pain can be different: the burning nature of the pain, pulling, drilling, pressing, etc.

Localization of pain
Pain manifests itself in the thoracic region, neck, back, lower back and coccyx.

In the neck, the pain becomes stronger with sudden movements, and when the patient lies down, the unpleasant symptoms subside.

In the thoracic region, these are usually “shoots” between the shoulder blades or under them. Occurs after squeezing, the symptoms are similar to sciatica.

In the lumbar the pain is strong but dull. It spreads like waves into the sternum and pelvis of the patient. It intensifies when sitting in a static position, with the patient's obesity, lack of vitamin D, calcium and magnesium in food.
Physician Intervention
A traumatologist, endocrinologist, rheumatologist, orthopedist will help the patient.
Treatment

• with an increased amount of calcium in the composition. Vitamins are added to it for better absorption of the mineral.
• to reduce the likelihood of fractures.
• Well hormone therapy aimed at increasing the body's estrogen.
• Walking, aerobics (as prescribed by a doctor). Prohibition on active exercise and sports.
• Diet with an increase in the amount of calcium.

Shoulder-scapular periarthrosis

Description of the disease
This is a disease in which wear and tear of cartilage. With it, the head of the shoulder bone and the scapula rub and gradually wear out. Pathology is equally common in both men and women. The disease is secondary and primary.

The primary develops in the shoulder as a person ages, and the secondary is the result of another disease, it can develop at any time.

The nature of the pain
Pain is dull, intermittent. In the morning, the patient feels stiffness and soreness in the shoulder, but they often pass. Unpleasant sensations are aggravated in frost or rain. The joint crunches, pain may appear during movement, but then they abruptly recede.
Localization of pain
Pain in the neck, head, shoulder blades, between the shoulder blades, in the joints of the shoulders and forearms.

Often, pain is accompanied by numbness of the limbs and limited mobility of the joints and shoulders.

Physician Intervention
This disease is treated by an orthopedist-traumatologist and a rheumatologist.
Treatment

• medication treatment ( nonsteroidal drugs relieve inflammation)
• Physiotherapy course
• Complex exercise therapy
• Hormonal injections
• Hirudotherapy

Injuries

Description of the disease
Bone and rib injuries characterized by a violation of the integrity of the bone tissue. This happens due to a blow, falls, compression of the body, etc. If the fracture is in one bone, then it easily grows together, and injuries to two ribs or bones with displacement can cause death or serious health problems.
The nature of the pain
The pain is acute, aggravated by movement, coughing, breathing, sneezing.

Accompanied pain swelling, difficulty breathing, hematoma in the affected area.

Localization of pain
The pain is strongest at the site of the fracture, but can radiate to the area of ​​​​the shoulder blades, lower back, and sternum.
Physician Intervention
You need to see a traumatologist.
Treatment

• Treatment with drugs that relieve pain, blockade
• Prescribing medications, according to the indications of doctors (NSAIDs, analgesics)
• Using a corset
• Physiotherapy
• If necessary, a lung puncture is made, followed by drainage of the pleural region.

Radiculitis of the cervical or

Description of the disease
it inflammatory process nerve fibers spinal cord. The patient complains of acute pain between the shoulder blades, in the thoracic region. Unpleasant symptoms may irrigate into the abdominal cavity. Usually typical for middle-aged men.
The nature of the pain
The pains are characterized by high intensity, when turning the body they increase, as well as when coughing, sneezing. When choosing a comfortable body position with muscle relaxation, discomfort becomes less.

Sometimes it can burn between the shoulder blades, there is a cutting pain or aching pain that becomes stronger in the evening and at night.

Sometimes they give to the region of the heart, the patient complains of shortness of breath, coughing, discomfort, reminiscent of heartburn.

The patient has a broken stool.

Localization of pain
Pain sensations mainly begin between the shoulder blades, but can radiate to the region of the heart, to the peritoneum, or, in their symptoms, resemble intercostal neuralgia.
Physician Intervention
Treatment requires a visit to a neurologist.
Treatment
An integrated approach is needed to treat this disease, including:

• The course of treatment with medicines (Ibuprofen, injections or Neurorubin). Perhaps local treatment with patches with Olfen or (for example, Fastum gel).
• Physiotherapy course (electrophoresis, acupuncture, exercise therapy complex, UHF therapy course).
• Physiotherapy
• Nutrition, according to a diet developed by a specialist.
• If conservative methods do not help, then doctors recommend surgery.
• Treatment with folk recipes (compresses with honey or burdock leaves).

Myofascial pain

Description of the disease
These are pain sensations that occur due to muscle pain at one point in the area between the shoulder blades, above the shoulder, under the shoulder blade. Such points (triggers) are located in the chest area, rhomboid muscle, etc. On palpation, the doctor feels inflammation of the muscle and its shortening. The pain is sharp, often begins after exposure to cold or wind, after a strong load on the muscles.
The nature of the pain
Pain is fully manifested when the affected muscle moves, the nature of the pain is dull.

Localization of pain

Most often, the pain is localized in the affected muscle, it hurts under the shoulder blade, between them, near the shoulder.

But it can give to the thigh or lumbar.

Physician Intervention
This condition is treated by a neurologist, an osteopath, a manual specialist.
Treatment

1. course of acupuncture. It relieves muscle tension and spasms.
2. Osteopathy, aimed at stretching a sore muscle.
3. Wearing orthopedic corsets.
4. Treatment with hirudotherapy
5. Well drug treatment(drugs to improve blood flow, B vitamins)
6. Massage.

or thoracic spine

Description of the disease
A disease in which part of the disc between the vertebrae bulges into the canal where the spinal cord is located. It is characterized by impaired blood flow in the nerves and spinal cord. If it develops in the cervical region, then impaired functioning of vital organs. First, the patient feels numbness and weakness in the fingers, incoordination, and dizziness.
The nature of the pain
Pain is intense, aggravated by movement. The patient complains of headaches, the fingers become numb, there is a restriction of movement of the head and neck.

Problems with sleep and memory begin. Symptoms vary depending on the location of the disease. The most terrible consequence of untimely treatment is ischemic stroke.

Violation of blood flow in the affected area leads to the gradual death of brain tissue.

Localization of pain
Pain is localized in the shoulder blades, neck, shoulders.
Physician Intervention
Treatment requires the intervention of a neurologist, orthopedist, surgeon.
Treatment
Restoration of the cervical intervertebral disc- this is a complex process, because the head is constantly pressing on it. Treatment is aimed at immobilizing the affected area, enhancing its nutrition, stopping pain and inflammation.

It can be treated both conservatively and with surgery.

Conservative treatment consists in the appointment of a person bed rest, lasting for a week. In this case, the cervical region is fixed.
Medication treatment
The patient is prescribed drugs that reduce inflammation, for example, Celecoxib,. Doctors recommend drugs that relax the muscles that are tense in the affected area.

Chondroprotective therapy is also used, which eliminates the destruction of the fibrous ring. With severe discomfort, doctors use Lidocaine or to relieve pain.
Physiotherapy course
These methods are best used in complex treatment along with drug treatment. These are exposure with the help of current, magnetotherapy, paraffin applications, electrophoresis.
Physiotherapy
They begin exercise therapy while still in bed, the exercises are based on the course of diaphragmatic breathing.

A week after the removal of bed rest, the doctor allows the patient to do exercises for flexion and movement of the wrists, exercises with expanders. At the same time, doctors do not recommend turning the neck.

Doctors also advise using hirudotherapy and cauterization of points with the help of wormwood cigarettes as methods for treatment.
Operation
This is an extreme measure for a severe violation of blood flow, if other methods of treatment within 6 months do not bring results.

• Removal of part of the disc with filling of voids with bone mass
• Replacement of the affected disc with a prosthesis
• Hernia repair through a small incision

flat feet

Description of the disease
it foot deformity, characterized by a decrease in its arches. Due to diseases, the foot ceases to properly absorb shocks when walking and other leg movements. The muscles and ligaments of the legs weaken, the foot settles, takes a flat shape. The load goes to the knee, hip and ankle joints, the spine.

The patient feels pain in the lower back, hips, knees.

The developing disease leads to arthrosis, scoliosis, varicose veins.

The nature of the pain
Periodic pains occur after intensive walking, weaken during rest. There is swelling of the ankles. If left untreated, flat feet develop arthrosis and scoliosis.
Localization of pain
Pain can appear in the shoulder blades, between them, in the legs and lumbar.
Physician Intervention
The disease is treated by an orthopedist.

• Medication treatment. For pain relief, Nimesulide is used. Doctors usually recommend taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Sometimes anesthetic ointments and creams are used, for example, Fastum gel,.
• Physiotherapy. For complex therapy use mud treatment, paraffin applications, electric current treatment, electrophoresis, magnetotherapy.
• Physiotherapy. Daily performance helps to cope with the progression of the disease, restore the anatomical shape of the legs. These are exercises on a chair, with balls, walking on toes and uneven surfaces, jumping on your feet.
• Massage. It helps to relieve swelling, relieve pain, relieve fatigue in the muscles. Massaging the feet with hands, rollers with a studded surface, balls, rugs and other objects is used.
• Recipes traditional medicine. These are lotions from wormwood, compresses based on iodine, lemon and aspirin, baths with sea salt, contrast showers.

Cardiac ischemia

Description of the disease
Disease characterized by vascular damage that provide blood to the heart. Vessels are clogged due to cholesterol deposits on their walls. In this case, one or two valves of the heart are affected.

AT acute form a heart attack occurs, and in the chronic course, angina attacks are possible, which occur from time to time.

Patient heart can stop, if urgent medical care is not provided, coronary disease leads to death.

The nature of the pain
Pain sensations are sharp, similar to an attack, pressing or squeezing. Often the patient notes interruptions in the work of the heart, shortness of breath. He does not have enough air for a full breath, his cholesterol levels are high during tests, and high blood pressure was detected during measurements.
Localization of pain
The pain is localized in the left region of the sternum, irrigates in the region of the shoulder blades, less often the neck.
Physician Intervention
The treatment is done by a cardiologist.
Treatment
Exercise regulation

It is important to limit patient movement. The more he moves and there is an increase in the load on the heart muscle, the more oxygen starvation. Physical activity can cause sudden cardiac arrest.

But at the same time, an increase in the load on the heart muscle is necessary during rehabilitation, but only on the recommendation of a doctor.

Medication treatment

1. Therapy against atherosclerosis: antiplatelet agents (Aspirin, Clopidogrel), β-blockers (Biprol, Niperten, Coriol, Betalok, Egilok, etc.; cholesterol-lowering drugs (Atorvastin, Rosuvastin, Simvastatin).
2. supportive therapy. Nitrates are used for treatment. After these drugs, the patient's blood vessels dilate. For treatment, Nitroglycerin, Isosorbide mononitrate are prescribed. They also use anticoagulants that prevent blood clots from forming (Heparin). Diuretic drugs help remove excess fluid from the tissues (Furomeside, Hypothiazid, Indapamide). Doctors prescribe antiarrhythmic drugs that control the heart rate (, Aimalin). And also sedative drugs are used in the treatment, for example, Persen, Tenoten.

• During treatment, a special diet is needed, which helps to reduce the load on the heart muscle. It is characterized by a decrease in the calorie content of food by 10-15%, a decrease in the amount of fat, proteins and carbohydrates in the patient's diet. Together with them, the amount of salt also decreases. This is followed by the rejection of spicy, salty foods and high-calorie foods.
• Taking vitamins. Doctors recommend vitamin and mineral complexes with vitamin C, E, B3, B11, etc.
• Operation. Surgical intervention is divided into several techniques: coronary artery bypass grafting, balloon angioplasty, stenting.

angina pectoris

Description of the disease
When sick, the patient feels heaviness, discomfort or pain in the thoracic region. It's like he's squeezing his chest.

Pain with angina usually lasts no more than 2-10 minutes. It resolves with rest or nitroglycerin.
The nature of the pain
The pains are dull, aching in nature, occasionally give to the jaw, shoulders, in the abdominal region, between the shoulder blades. The patient complains of shortness of breath, it usually occurs during physical exertion (heavy lifting, while running). The pain is not constant, but short-term, lasting from 5 to 60 minutes.

Pain varies depending on the degree of the disease, at the initial stages it manifests itself only after exertion, and in the last stages, pain is observed even at rest.

As soon as the patient takes Nitroglycerin, the pain immediately recedes.

Localization of pain
The patient feels discomfort and pain in the shoulder girdle, arms, cervical region, back and shoulder blades.
Physician Intervention
The disease is treated by a therapist, a cardiologist.
Treatment

• The disease is treated with nitroglycerin in the form of a spray or capsules. So you can quickly remove an attack of angina pectoris. For a long course of treatment, Aspirin, Warfarin is used. These medicines can cause bleeding, so they are taken only under the supervision of a doctor.
• Stop the development of pathology will help beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers; medicines that lower blood cholesterol levels.
• Doctors often recommend taking an angiotensin receptor blocker. They reduce blood pressure and reduce stress on the heart muscle.
• With the progression of the disease, surgery is required (coronary bypass grafting, coronary angioplasty).

Severe diseases of the lungs and pulmonary pleura

Description of the disease
The lungs themselves do not hurt, since they do not have nerve endings, but with lung diseases possible cough and breathing problems. Pain between the shoulder blades is most often a symptom of damage to the bronchi, pleura. There are many pain receptors that make it clear to the patient that there are problems with respiratory system.

The cause of pain can be pneumonia, lung abscess, pleurisy, etc.

The nature of the pain
The nature of the pain is directly related to the disease.

If soreness manifests itself when inhaling, then the cause is most often dry pleurisy. The patient is weakening, sweating of the skin is observed. Stitching pains due to shortening of the ligaments.

If the pain intensifies with a sigh, then often the cause of such pain is tuberculosis, influenza.

Severe pain when inhaling can be a symptom of lung or pleural cancer.
Localization of pain
With pleurisy, the affected area of ​​the lung hurts. Such soreness becomes stronger when inhaling air, turning the body, moving and with cough syndrome.
Physician Intervention
Pulmonary pathologies are treated by a phthisiatrician.
Treatment
It is possible to treat lung diseases only on the basis of a clear diagnosis. Treatment depends on the disease, based on the elimination of unpleasant symptoms.

Most often it is treated with antibiotics and drugs.

Liver disease

It's sore located in the peritoneum, the liver itself does not hurt due to the absence of pain receptors in it. All pain symptoms are recorded in the connective tissues of the liver. Pain occurs due to an increase in the liver or from the tension of the walls, or if an inflammatory process occurs in bile ducts or gallbladder.

Most often these are hepatitis, yellow fever, cirrhosis, steatosis, abscesses, etc.

The nature of the pain
Pain can be of a different nature, it depends on the disease. It is pulling, becomes stronger when moving, after a hearty meal. Sometimes it happens intermittently, and sometimes it happens constantly.

• Diffuse pain is caused by overstretching of the hepatic capsule and enlargement of the liver. The patient complains of bursting pain, heaviness, bursting discomfort in the right hypochondrium.
• Severe pain under the right rib indicates a strong inflammatory process, possibly purulent, or the presence of stones in the gallbladder.
• Point pain usually appears in diseases of the gallbladder and ducts.
• Asymptomatic pathology. Unfortunately, often the patient already notices the disease at the stage of liver cirrhosis or in acute insufficiency.

In addition to pain, the patient notes itching of the skin, belching, smelling eggs. The skin of a person and the whites of the eyes turn yellow, a migraine occurs, weakness in the muscles begins. The patient is nauseated and depressed.

Depending on the load on the body and nutrition, the symptoms of the disease may vary.

Localization of pain
Pain is localized in the right hypochondrium, irrigated in the back, the area between the shoulder blades, in the cervical region.
Physician Intervention
For the treatment of liver pathologies, the patient will need the intervention of a hepatologist, a gastroenterologist.
Treatment
For conservative treatment liver, patients take choleretic drugs (Allohol, Nicodin), cholespasmolytics (Tifen, Cholagol), honopreparations (chenodiol, Urzofalk).

It is necessary to follow a diet in which it is recommended to refuse bad habits, coffee and tea, grape and tomato juice. It is forbidden to eat tomatoes, fatty meat, fried foods, broths, corn, millet, pasta with fatty sauce, smoked foods.

All seasonings and spices are excluded from the diet.

Cholecystitis

Description of the disease
This pathology characterized by an inflammatory process in the gallbladder. It has an infectious nature, provokes a change in the composition of bile and disrupts its normal outflow.
The nature of the pain
Pain can be provoked by prolonged fasting or, conversely, spicy food, fried foods, smoked meats. Pain occurs paroxysmal, the patient can observe stabbing sensations in the right hypochondrium. The pain is intense, severe, the patient's temperature rises, he vomits, vomits, turn yellow skin.

Vomit leaves a bitter taste in the human mouth, they contain impurities of bile.

The pain disappears after taking antispasmodics.

Localization of pain
Soreness begins in the right hypochondrium, but can radiate to the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe right shoulder blade and to the arm. The pain is diffuse and radiates to the area between the shoulder blades, because the nerves of the gallbladder are connected to the nerves of the chest.
Physician Intervention
In a chronic course, the disease is treated by a gastroenterologist, and in especially difficult cases, the intervention of a surgeon is necessary.
Treatment
Treatment of the disease should be comprehensive and combines the course of medication, diet, and folk remedies.

• Tubage or flushing of the gallbladder from congestion. Course of treatment: 1 time in 7 days for two to three months. It can be carried out using a probe or blind method (a person drinks a medicine or herbal infusion, lies on his side, the bile begins to drain by itself).
• Medication course. To eliminate the inflammatory process, doctors recommend Diclofenac, Meperidine; In some cases, antispasmodics are taken, for example, Papaverine, Odeston. To improve the formation of bile, Allohol, Decholin, Holagol are recommended. Antibiotics can be used in the treatment (Tavanic, Tsiprolet, Azitral, Vibramycin, Rulid, Ketocef). If there is no response to antibiotics, Metronidazole should be taken.
• Phytotherapy treatment is possible, for example, using decoctions of peppermint, tansy, barberry, wild rose, dill seeds, chicory root and other herbs.
• With cholecystitis, you need to follow a diet that will reduce the production of bile. The patient should exclude canned food, soda, alcohol, chocolate, smoked and fried foods from his menu. Average daily calorie intake: 2,500 calories.
• Operation. If the disease is caused by gallstone disease, then the patient is recommended to undergo surgery. They also do it with purulent lesions, problems with the gallbladder and its channels.
• Spa treatment. This is a visit to the resorts of Borjomi, Essentuki, Karlovy Vary, etc.
• Folk methods of treatment. This is a treatment with juices of carrots, beets, aloe, horseradish; decoctions of plantain, parsley, chamomile and other herbs.

Hepatitis

Description of the disease
This pathology of the liver can take two forms: chronic and acute. In the acute form of the liver, it is diffusely affected, it is provoked by viruses that are transmitted through water, blood or sexually. The disease also occurs after prolonged use of medications.
The nature of the pain
The pain is dull in nature, the patient feels constant fatigue, weakness. He is sick, vomits, the patient refuses to eat. Symptoms may be flu-like (fever, joint and muscle pain).

The liver increases in size.

Localization of pain
Pain is localized in the right hypochondrium, can be given to the peritoneum, to the back, to the region of the shoulder blades.
Physician Intervention
The affected liver is treated by an infectious disease specialist, therapist, hepatologist, gastroenterologist.
Treatment
Treatment occurs in two ways:

Radical. The patient needs rest, he does not need medication or diet. It is enough to take herbal decoctions and bed rest. Symptoms go away on their own

Acute hepatitis treated inpatient.

Ulcer

Description of the disease
With this pathology, hydrochloric acid corrodes the mucous membranes of the stomach, forming erosion.
The nature of the pain
The pain is acute, intense, begins after a person has eaten or if there is a long period of time between meals. It can also hurt at night. In addition to pain, the patient has belching, bouts of heartburn, he is sick. It becomes easier only after vomiting and when a warm heating pad is applied to the back or after taking drugs that reduce hyperacidity.
Localization of pain
There is pain in the pit of the stomach, behind the chest, on the right side of the chest.

Sometimes pain is given to the area between the shoulder blades, to the left or right shoulder blade.

Physician Intervention
An ulcer is treated by a gastroenterologist.
Treatment

1. It is important not only to treat an ulcer, but also to eat right so as not to “disturb” the gastric mucosa. You can not eat large portions, take too hot or cold dishes, consume more than 10 grams of salt per day. Should eat more fermented milk products, soups, eggs, low-fat meats and fish, vegetables, berries, fruits. You should refuse broths, do not eat dishes containing fat of animal origin. The use of sausages, canned foods, chocolate is not recommended.
2. Well . This is the intake of macrolides (Erythromycin), penicillins (Amoxicillin), nitroimidazoles (for example, Metronidazole).
3. If the cause of the ulcer is not in bacteria, but in an increased amount of hydrochloric acid in the composition gastric juice, then doctors recommend treatment with H2 inhibitors (for example, Ranitidine), Omeprazole, Maalox, Almagel, etc.
4. Injections may be prescribed in the acute phase of the disease. Minimum course: 14 days.
5. Folk remedies. These are recipes that include potato peel, pork fat, mixtures of honey, butter and walnut kernels.

"Occupational diseases"

Description of the disease
Often the cause of soreness and burning sensation between the shoulder blades is sedentary work. It is caused by long sitting at the workplace, due to the constant tension of the muscles of the back and lower back.

It affects managers, engineers, drivers, accountants, workers of other professions who have to sit for a long time.

The nature of the pain
For "professional" diseases, periodic pulling and burning pains are characteristic, which intensify after prolonged sitting.
Localization of pain
There is tension in the muscles of the back, lumbar, in the area of ​​​​the shoulder blades and between them
Physician Intervention
Unpleasant sensations will be cured by a neurologist, osteopath, manual specialist, massage therapist.
Treatment

1. Warm up periodically and change your position so that your muscles do not numb. You can make several movements by moving - spreading the shoulder blades to improve blood circulation.
2. Massage. It easily relieves pain, while massaging the back muscles can be done independently.
3. You can roll a tennis ball on the back. To do this, the patient lies on the floor and rolls on it with his back, so that it affects the vertebrae and spinal column.
4. Performing special exercises to relieve tension in the muscles of the back.
5. Treatment medicines. Reception is necessary to eliminate inflammation, etc. The course of treatment is usually three to four days. Possible local application local preparations(Fastum gel, Diklakgel). After the inflammation of the muscles stops, you can continue treatment with locally irritating agents, for example, Nicoflex.
6. Additionally, drugs are used to help eliminate inflammation, for example, Nimika, etc.
7. Doctors recommend a course of physiotherapy, for example, electrophoresis, laser treatment.

Shoulder arthrosis

Description of the disease
With this disease, there dystrophic changes in cartilage, nearby affected area of ​​the bones. The disease is chronic, as a result, the cartilage becomes thinner, bone formations begin. With the progression of the disease, the joint loses its mobility, and the functioning of the limb is impaired.
The nature of the pain
The pain is intense, aggravated by moving the arm back or forward. If you palpate the collarbone or scapula, the patient feels pain. A person's joint swells, swell soft tissues in the affected area, his temperature rises, the joint begins to crackle.

There is limited mobility in the affected joint.

Localization of pain
The pain is localized in the shoulder, sometimes irrigating in the elbow, between the shoulder blades, in the arms.
Physician Intervention
For the treatment of the disease, treatment is required from a therapist, physiotherapist, orthopedist, rheumatologist, traumatologist, surgeon.
Treatment
Medication treatment
Doctors recommend treatment with the following drugs:

• Non-steroidal drugs (,). The course of treatment varies from 14 to 21 days.
• Glucocorticosteroids (injections and ointments containing dexamethasone, prednisolone, hydrocortisone). The maximum ointment can be used for no more than 10 days, so that the skin and soft tissues do not atrophy.
• Medicines that relieve pain (Codeine, Oxycodone, Morphine, Promedol).
• , which not only do not allow cartilage to collapse, but also restore. These are sulfate, Wobenzym, etc.

Exercises and gymnastics
Required before exercising you need to stretch your muscles preheating them. The patient should run, walk, jumping rope can be used.

The patient needs to perform gymnastic exercises on the shoulder joints (for example, rotating the shoulders in a circle, pressing the arms to the chest, etc.).

Surgical intervention
If the head humerus is already completely destroyed, then doctors recommend replacing the destroyed tissues with a prosthesis made of titanium or polymers.

Shoulder arthritis

Description of the disease
it inflammation of the shoulder joint, as a result of which degenerative-dystrophic changes in cartilage tissue begin. As the disease progresses, the joint ceases to function normally.

The disease most often affects older people over 50-55 years of age.

It may be the result of hypothermia, injuries, stress on the shoulder girdle, infectious lesions of the joint, a decrease in the body's defenses, allergies, due to hereditary factors.
The nature of the pain
The nature of pain directly depends on the stage of the disease.

1. In the first stage, the pain becomes stronger with physical exertion on the shoulder or arm. The pains become weaker at rest, may intensify in the evening and at night, with a sharp change in the weather. If a person works with his hands, he quickly gets tired.
2. Pain appears more often, with a change in body position, it does not weaken. At the same time, there is a decrease in mobility in the affected joint, and the moving limb crunches, its movement is accompanied by clicks.
3. In the last stage of the disease, the joint collapses, swells and swells. There is a deformation of the shoulder, it practically stops moving. It sometimes wedges in one position, and in some cases, on the contrary, it can be twisted by hand in all directions.

Sometimes maybe temperature rise in some cases, the joint itself becomes hot. The patient becomes weak and tired quickly.
Localization of pain
Pain begins in the shoulder, as the disease develops, it is given to the shoulder blades, between them, to the lumbar region.
Physician Intervention
An arthrologist, orthopedist, traumatologist, rheumatologist, therapist will help to overcome the disease.
Treatment
It is possible to cure this pathology only in a complex way. For this use:

• A course of physiotherapy (treatment with a laser; electrophoresis; applications based on paraffin).
• Treatment medicines, which eliminate the inflammatory process and stop pain. This is Nimid; ointments local application-, Fastum gel, etc.
• Exercises recommended by your doctor
• Folk remedies based on natural products and herbs.
• Surgical intervention. Used when other treatments fail.

Tumors

Description of the disease
Most often it hurts between the shoulder blades or near them when a malignant tumor occurs. It develops as a result of the rapid reproduction of cells that have transformed into cancerous ones.

At the same time, pain develops between the shoulder blades and in the shoulder blades themselves, the joint loses its motor activity, deforms, and swells.

Often, a malignant tumor of the scapula is secondary, that is, it is transmitted from another organ affected by an oncological disease.

The nature of the pain
At the initial stage, the soreness is of a periodic aching nature, it then disappears, then it starts again.

In the last stages this intense pain, is not stopped by anything except medicines containing drugs. It is possible to involve other internal organs in the process, in connection with this, a cough begins, hemoptysis is possible, it is difficult to breathe. With the defeat of large vessels, the hands become numb, swell and lose sensitivity. In the affected area, the fragility of the bone tissue increases, which leads to fractures.
Localization of pain
Depending on the affected area, it may hurt under the shoulder blade, between them or below. Occasionally, the tumor affects nearby organs.
Physician Intervention
The disease is treated by an oncologist.
Treatment
The patient is usually recommended surgery, in which part of the bone and all nearby tissues are removed in order to stop the spread of a malignant tumor. Usually, patients come too late when the metastases have penetrated other organs, so the treatment of the tumor does not end with the operation.

The next step is treatment with chemotherapy. It helps to overcome the recurrence of the disease. Medicines are administered through injections or drips.

Irradiation is possible in the last stages of cancer, when the operation will no longer be effective.

It is important to restore immunity after chemotherapy or surgery.

Meningitis

O
scripture of illness
it an infectious disease caused by viruses, fungi and bacteria. It is characterized by extensive lesions of the membranes of the spinal cord and brain. Often, meningitis ends in the death of the patient if not treated on time.
The nature of the pain
Severe pain begins with meningitis, in addition, marked stiffness of the neck muscles. The patient complains of migraines, the temperature rises to forty degrees, the person is shivering.

He has sensitivity to light, sunlight, dizziness. Loss of consciousness and even coma is possible. The patient refuses to eat, he is sick, vomits, there is a violation of the stool.

Conjunctivitis affects the eyes, lymph nodes become inflamed.

Localization of pain
The pains are localized in the head, neck, spread to the back and shoulder blades.
Physician Intervention
The disease is treated by a therapist, an infectious disease specialist and a neuropathologist.
Treatment

1. Bed rest. The sick person is protected from light and noise. It is treated only in a hospital setting.
2. Medication treatment. Used for therapy antibacterial drugs(eg Ampicillin, Meropenem, Ceftriaxone, Rifampicin). The course of treatment is from 12 to 17 days. Doctors also recommend taking medications for viruses, B vitamins, interferon, and glucocorticosteroids. Admission required antifungal drugs eg Amphotericin, Fluconazole.
3. The next step is to remove toxins from the body. To do this, the patient should drink tea with raspberries, fruit drinks, Atoxil, etc.
4. Elimination of other symptoms: nausea, vomiting, heat. Medications are prescribed depending on the recommendations of the doctor and the symptoms of meningitis.

Tuberculosis

Description of the disease
Infection, bacterial in nature. In most cases it strikes Airways and lungs, but sometimes affects bone tissue, joints, eyes and lymph nodes.

It is diagnosed on the basis of sputum examination.

It is difficult to treat, in especially difficult cases, surgery is possible.

The nature of the pain
Pain is not pronounced, but it is constant. The patient quickly loses weight, is constantly tired and unwell, frequent coughing is possible.
Localization of pain
Pain sensations are localized in the lungs, but can be given to the back, between the shoulder blades, spread throughout the chest.
Physician Intervention
A phthisiatrician will help in the treatment of this disease.
Treatment
The average period of treatment of the disease varies from 6 to 24 months.

1. Admission of the patient to the hospital. After a series of procedures has been carried out and the person becomes harmless to those around him, he is treated on an outpatient basis.
2. Medication treatment. Pyrazinamide, Streptomycin, Ethambutol, etc. are used for it. They can be administered both in the form of inhalations and injections. Drugs can be combined or substituted. If it is not possible to eliminate the tubercle bacillus with conventional medicines, then doctors use treatment with Ethionamide, Cycloserine, Pask.
3. Operations are done in rare cases because this method is ineffective.
4. Spa treatment
5. A balanced diet with sufficient protein, fat and carbohydrates.

Classification according to the nature of pain

Pain and burning, burning pain
The burning sensation usually begins at coronary disease and at different stages of osteochondrosis. When sick of cardio-vascular system nitroglycerin helps to quickly relieve discomfort and pain. If it hurts from pinching the roots, then only relaxing the body and taking an anesthetic helps.
Acute
The patient may complain of acute attacks of pain in cholecystitis. Usually begins after a person has eaten. It can also hurt if the patient suffers from osteochondrosis of the cervical region or a stomach ulcer. With pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract and chondrosis, the pain becomes stronger when a person moves.
Sharp pain
Such pain sensations are characteristic of pinched nerve fibers and endings, if severe inflammation has begun. Often, such symptoms manifest themselves with colic in the gallbladder.
Dull pain sensations
Such discomfort is directly related to diseases of the muscles, tendons, ligaments. Often this is a sign of pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract.

If the muscles hurt, then the patient will feel an increase in discomfort after playing sports or giving them an excessive load.

Constant pain
The cause of it can be a strong overstrain of the back muscles associated with the profession (for example, a seamstress, accountant, manager). In addition, constant pain causes curvature of the spine, for example, because they load the muscles around the spine. Another prerequisite for such pain is arthritis and arthrosis, inflammatory processes due to metabolic disorders.
stabbing pain
It can begin with damage to the respiratory system, pleurisy, cholelithiasis. Often it is a symptom of the onset of perforation of the ulcer. In addition, a person may be disturbed by nausea, vomiting. A similar nature of pain occurs with pyelonephritis and VVD.
Pain and cough
it faithful companions tuberculosis or.

When is the right time to see a doctor immediately?

Emergency help you need a doctor if:

1. The man injured his back, blood is flowing, there are signs of a fracture.
2. With pain, deformation of the shoulder blades is observed, accompanied by swelling, the skin turns red
3. The patient has a strong heartbeat, it is difficult for him to breathe, shortness of breath has appeared
4. A person's head is suddenly dizzy, confusion appears.

Be sure to watch the following video

First aid: how to relieve pain?

• If the cause was muscle spasm, then it is enough just to warm up, change position, stretch the shoulder blades as much as possible, breathe deeply. This method will quickly help to cope with discomfort.
.

Based on the foregoing, we can conclude that pain in the shoulder blades can occur due to infectious diseases, oncology, diseases of internal organs and spine, injuries. Therefore, it is so important to contact a specialist in time for the correct diagnosis of the disease. After all, only the correct diagnosis will help to quickly determine the treatment that will eliminate inflammation and eliminate pain.

The main thing is not to self-medicate, but to entrust your health to specialists.

Remember

1. Causes of pain between the shoulder blades: injuries of the thoracic region, pathologies of the internal organs and the thoracic spine, lifestyle, exercise stress on the back, infections.
2. Diagnosis: clinical examination, history taking, CT, MRI, X-ray.
3. Methods of treatment: medication (nonsteroidal drugs, glucocorticosteroids, diuretics, chondroprotectors, antibiotics), orthopedic and manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, surgery, diet, hirudotherapy.
4. An emergency appointment with a specialist is necessary in case of: injuries, deformation of the shoulder blades, palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, confusion.
5. First aid: warm-up, massage, application of an ointment that relieves pain (Ortofen, Fastum gel), NSAIDs (Nise, Diclofenac, Ketorol, Ketanov).

Back pain is a very common phenomenon, which is common not only among the elderly, but also among young people. These pains can manifest themselves in different locations, including in the region of the shoulder blades.

Discomfort and pain in this area practically do not tell the doctor anything, more specific information is needed. That is why conditionally there are 3 varieties:

1. Pain under the shoulder blades;
2. Between the shoulder blades;
3. In the blades themselves.

Depending on the localization of pain, treatment is determined, and incorrect or untimely recognition of the nature of the disease can lead to the fact that the patient will have to suffer a lot, taking treatment and being examined before the correct diagnosis is determined.

It has been noticed that the work of people who have back pain in the area of ​​​​the shoulder blades involves constant tension in the muscles of the shoulder girdle. This applies to such professions as: seamstresses, drivers, typists, conductors.

At the same time, the thoracic spine is inactive, so dystrophic changes in it almost do not occur. This is confirmed by x-ray examinations. It follows that pain between the shoulder blades in most cases should not be associated with osteochondrosis.

The cause of the pain lies precisely in the muscles of the interscapular region or in their tendons.

If the pain feels tight in the upper back, it is most likely coming from the muscles. But it is worthwhile to make movements with the shoulders, as the pain immediately disappears.

Pain is felt differently, which comes from the tendons of the muscles located between the spinous processes. These processes are bones that are palpable on the back along the spine. And if a person has a pain in the spine between the shoulder blades, and this pain does not go away after changing the position of the body, but at the same time it radiates to the region of the heart, then it is logical to assume that the tendons are the cause of everything.

In this case, there may be a feeling of numbness, freezing and the appearance of goosebumps. Often, such pain is forced to get up in the middle of the night and take drugs for the heart.

However, it is quite easy to explain the appearance of pain in the area of ​​the shoulder blades, referring only to the specifics of human labor. Statistically, it was found that most often pain occurs in those patients who have dysplasia of the ligamentous apparatus. In other words, the ligaments are soft.

This means that since childhood, a “foundation” was laid in a person for the appearance of these pains, and over time, under conditions of constant stress on the ligaments, they gave slack.

Getting rid of pain is quite simple if this muscle pain. If she appeared at work, then it is enough just to perform a few exercises and change her position, as heaviness and discomfort will disappear. For example, you can do circular motions shoulders, reduce and part the shoulder blades.

You can also try to hug yourself so hard that the shoulder blades are separated from each other as far as possible. In this case, you need to take a deep breath (which will spread the shoulder blades even more) and hold your breath for 5 seconds. If the pain is localized in the cervicothoracic region, lower the right shoulder, hold it in this position and at the same time tilt the head to the left and forward until a slight pain from muscle strain appears.

This exercise must be repeated on the other side. Then you need to lower both shoulders and tilt your head forward until mild pain. The idea is to stretch the muscles a little. This will lead to the elimination of spasm and eliminate pain.

In other cases, when the back hurts under the shoulder blades, they do massage of painful joints which helps a lot. You can do it yourself, rubbing your right and left hands alternately with the muscles that you can reach. The Kuznetsov iplicator is perfect for this purpose.

If the pain comes from the tendons of the muscles or dystrophically changed ligaments, then it is much more difficult to treat it. Diseases of ligaments and tendons are formed during prolonged exposure to traumatic factors. Sometimes, if the nutrition of these tissues is disturbed, then they can be replaced by calcium salts near the junction with the bone. In this case, there is no need to talk about the disappearance of painful symptoms at all.

Simple tennis ball perfect for this. You need to lie on it and ride with your back, passing along the line of spinous processes. In this case, you can not overdo it, because this can lead to an exacerbation of pain. The first massage should last a few minutes. Then you can increase the time.

To achieve the maximum effect and improve the biochemical processes in painful tissues, this massage must be performed for four weeks in the evening and in the morning. Also, during the day, you should repeat the procedures with muscle stretching described above. You can do this at work too.

If during the first session you experience sharp pain, then the massage should be postponed for the next 3-4 weeks and taken anti-inflammatory drugs, rub ointments with a similar effect (there are a lot of them in the pharmacy).

Then, when the pain begins to subside, it is advisable to use ointments, which irritate the nerve endings ("Asterisk", "Efkamon"), and only then - ointments with an effect on blood vessels ("Nicoflex").

If no improvement is observed within seven to ten days from the day of treatment, you should consult a doctor.

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Periodically, discomfort can be misleading, sometimes the pain is similar to stomach or lung pain, although its cause is neurological. Therefore, it is very important to pay attention to the accompanying symptoms that often accompany the syndrome.

Causes and nature of pain

Why does the back hurt between the shoulder blades? There are many reasons for clinical signs may be a causative factor. The symptoms are most pronounced when the nerves are pinched, they appear suddenly and can also pass quickly. In diseases of the internal organs, the discomfort is longer, it can last several hours or days.

The cause of back pain between the shoulder blades can be determined clinically, but sometimes the symptoms can be misleading. For example, when squeezing spinal nerves and stones in the abdominal organs, they are similar, but the provoking factors are different.

Aching pain between shoulder blades

Such pain is mild, but may increase with inhalation or be pulsating in nature. By localization, it can be superficial or deep, depending on the clinic of the underlying disease.

The most likely causes of aching pain between the shoulder blades:

1. Rachiocampsis - with incorrect posture, the tone of the muscles and the location of the bone structures change, which can cause damage to the nerves. Such a clinic is characterized by the spread of pain along the branch, for example, in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe rib or the region of the vertebra.
2. Myalgia - aching pain between the shoulder blades can occur with inflammation of the muscles. Its distinctive features are a reaction to cold, when a tingling sensation is felt in the skin when the temperature drops.
3. Pneumonia - Inflammation of the lungs sometimes provokes back pain. Usually characteristic of a croupous, more severe form of pathology.

Sharp pain between shoulder blades

If pain in the back between the shoulder blades suddenly appears, feels like a tingling or shooting and passes at rest, then it is worth suspecting neurological pathologies. The mechanism of their appearance is explained by compression of the spinal nerves.

Causing factors for this condition:

1. radicular syndrome – sharp pain in the back between the shoulder blades may indicate compression of the nerves of the thoracic region from 2 to 6 pairs. Usually, discomfort appears when the position of the body changes.
2. Intercostal neuralgia - occurs when a nerve is damaged. In such cases, the patient notes that it is difficult for him to breathe, there is pain between the shoulder blades, spreading to half of the body.
3. Crick - This is a microtrauma in which fibrillar fibers are damaged. In such cases, the back hurts a lot during sudden loads or after intense training.

Sharp pain between shoulder blades

She suddenly appears, greatly worsens the patient's condition. In severe cases, it can cause hospitalization, as it threatens the health and life of the patient.

Acute back pain between the shoulder blades appears in the following cases:

1. Osteochondrosis - contributes to a change in the geometry of the spine and narrowing the distance between the bone elements, where the spinal nerves pass. With severe deformity in the middle thoracic region, back pain may appear.
2. Protrusion or hernia - with these pathologies, the root is squeezed by a damaged element of the intervertebral disc. This condition can lead to immobilization, which will require the introduction of a large dose of pain medication.
3. Injury - the most dangerous damage to the spine, which can provoke a radicular syndrome or a violation of the integrity of the membranes of the spinal cord. Such symptoms can disturb for many years.
4. Gastric perforation - sometimes acute pain between the shoulder blades occurs due to a violation of the integrity of its wall, if the acid enters the peritoneal cavity. Prolonged gastritis or chronic ulcer predisposes to this condition.

Dull pain between shoulder blades

Occurs gradually, may last for several hours or days. Usually it does not have a strict localization, it is felt between the shoulder blades and gives to half of the body.

Possible causes of dull pain in the spine:

1. Consequences of injuries - bruises, cracks, fractures. If bone growths form after the injury, the discomfort may increase and become chronic.
2. Pericarditis Inflammation of the outer lining of the heart can cause pain in the upper back. The clinic is accompanied by shortness of breath, weakness, pallor or cyanosis of the skin.
3. Diseases of the internal organs - if the lungs are affected, the patient will have difficulty breathing, pain between the shoulder blades in case of digestive pathology is accompanied by dyspeptic disorders. Kidney disease leads to impaired urination.

Burning pain between shoulder blades

Sometimes the back hurts in the spine due to pathologies of the internal organs, which can be acute and chronic course. Most likely causes:

1. Gastritis - provokes pain between the scapula and the spine on the left, usually in the lower sections. This symptom is preceded by dyspeptic disorders, belching rotten, sometimes nausea and vomiting.
2. Pleurisy - occurs with a dry form, when the leaves rub against each other when inhaled. With the defeat of the posterior sections, the patient feels how it hurts between the scapula and the spine on the right or left.
3. heart attack - provokes burning pain behind the sternum or between the shoulder blades. This is an acute condition, accompanied by shortness of breath, impaired consciousness and fainting.

Severe pain between shoulder blades

If you are concerned about severe pain in the spine between the shoulder blades, you should suspect an exacerbation chronic diseases internal organs:

1. Diseases of the biliary system - the presence of stones, dyskinesia of the gallbladder and its tracts or damage to the liver. Often accompanied by jaundice, weakness, and fever may rise.
2. Kidney pathologies - characterized by pain in the back between the lower back and shoulder blades. These can be stones or inflammatory lesions, which are accompanied by a violation of diuresis and the qualitative composition of urine.
3. Suppuration under the diaphragm - provokes severe pain below the shoulder blades, which pulls down and increases with inspiration, when the muscular septum presses on the focus.

Constant pain between shoulder blades

If the back hurts constantly, inflammation or neurology should be suspected. Discomfort can be of any intensity and not be related to the time of day.

The reasons:

• spine diseases - provoke pain between the right shoulder blade or the left one with slight compression of the nerve;
• somatic pathologies - from the lungs, digestive and urinary organs;
• cardiac ischemia - provokes "starvation" of the myocardium and the development of discomfort;
• muscle inflammation - They hurt constantly for a long time.

Many pathologies provoke pain of a different nature - both acute and constant, burning and severe. The listed gradation is applicable only for diseases at the initial stage of development; diagnostics will help to establish the exact cause.

Which doctor should I contact for back pain between the shoulder blades?

To find out why the spine hurts between the shoulder blades, you need to contact a therapist. The doctor will conduct an examination and redirect, depending on the cause, to an orthopedist, neurologist, gastroenterologist or nephrologist.

Diagnostics

Laboratory and instrumental examination will help determine what can hurt in the back. These methods will reveal direct or indirect signs of diseases.

List of diagnostic methods:

• X-ray or CT – help to examine the spine and internal organs;
• MRI - the most informative in the study of internal organs, in the diagnosis of hernias, osteochondrosis;
• ultrasound - will help to find out the cause if the back hurts between the shoulder blades from pathologies of the kidneys or digestive organs;
• ECG - relevant for heart disease;
• blood and urine tests - will help determine the concentration of enzymes and signs of inflammation in case of damage to internal organs.

General principles of treatment

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The main task of therapy is to relieve pain between the shoulder blades, after which basic treatment is prescribed. To eliminate discomfort in the back, the following medicines are used:

• analgesics (Ketotifen, Nise, Voltaren) - in tablets or ointments to relieve inflammation and pain;
• hormonal painkillers (Betamethasone, Hydrocortisone) - used in the absence of the effect of previous drugs;
• antispasmodics (No-shpa, Papaverine) - help with prolonged muscle contractions;
• blockade painkillers - the introduction of novocaine, lidocaine or hormonal analgesics directly into problem areas on the back to relieve pain.

Eliminating back pain without treating the underlying disease is only a temporary measure to alleviate the patient's condition. If you do not undergo a diagnosis and do not identify the cause, the discomfort will return again at the first exacerbation of the pathology.

Discomfort in the back between the shoulder blades is a consequence of damage to the musculoskeletal system or pathologies of internal organs. In the first case, the patient has acute severe pain, with somatic diseases symptoms are less pronounced, but prolonged. Sometimes the clinic can be mixed. To identify the cause, you need to examine the spine, chest or abdominal cavity. Treatment should be comprehensive, aimed not only at relieving back pain, but also at eliminating the underlying pathology.

Useful video about pain between the shoulder blades

There are many various reasons which can cause pain between the shoulder blades. Often such pain goes away on its own and is just the result of muscle strain or strain. If you are sure that, in your case, this is the case, the pain or discomfort should not last long. However, there are other causes of pain between the shoulder blades that may require serious attention from doctors. Often the pain between the shoulder blades is the so-called. referred pain that is the result of an illness or injury elsewhere but feels like back pain.

The reasons

One of the reasons for this prevalence, in its upper, middle or lower part, is that the spinal cord is located inside the spine, and there are a number of conditions and diseases in which an irritating effect on the spinal nerves can occur, which causes pain felt in, seemingly strange places, however, when it comes to back pain, it occurs much more often than pain in the upper back or discomfort or pain between the shoulder blades.

Be that as it may, if you feel pain in the area of ​​​​the shoulder blades, knowing the common causes of such pain can be useful. One of the most common causes is the presence of a herniated disc in the cervical or less commonly in the thoracic spine. Rare but serious causes of pain between the shoulder blades include lung cancer, liver cancer, torticollis, esophageal cancer, and a host of other diseases and syndromes.

Trauma can be an obvious cause of discomfort. Pain can result from a collarbone fracture, rotator cuff injury, shoulder dislocation, or spinal column injury. Another cause of pain can be a muscle strain or a sprained ligament. As for the shoulder blades themselves, they rarely cause pain. Below are nine of the most common causes of pain between the shoulder blades. We hope they will help you figure out whether you need to see a doctor, get a massage, or just take painkillers.

Correct posture

Poor posture is one of the most common causes of pain or discomfort between the shoulder blades. If you slouch while standing or sitting, this position puts undue stress on the neck muscles, due in part to the weight of the head, as it is not in the correct, upright position. If you keep your head straight, the neck muscles provide stability to this area, which requires much less effort. Pain between the shoulder blades occurs due to fatigue, irritation or inflammation of the muscles. Correct posture in combination with exercises that include exercises to strengthen the muscles of the neck, are usually effective treatment with such pain.

Intervertebral hernia

Most often, they appear in the lumbar and cervical spine. A herniated disc occurs when intervertebral disc, which is a soft "cushion" located between the vertebrae, is destroyed. Each intervertebral disc consists of a hard outer shell and gel-like contents and acts as a friction absorber between the vertebrae. Disease or injury can cause disc damage. In this case, a crack appears in the outer shell of the disc, through which part of the gel-like center of the disc protrudes into the spinal canal (intervertebral hernia). Once in the spinal canal, a herniated disc can compress a nearby spinal nerve root. If the compression occurs in the cervical spine, you may experience pain or discomfort between your shoulder blades, as well as pain when moving your arms, neck, and upper back.

Gallbladder disease

Gallbladder disease is a well-known cause of upper abdominal discomfort. The pain is usually felt on the right, but sometimes it can be felt in the area between the shoulder blades. There are two types of gallbladder disease that can cause pain or discomfort between the shoulder blades. The first type leads to the formation gallstones, and the second - to inflammation of the gallbladder. Both of these diseases are not serious. For real serious illnesses gallbladder, such as cancer, are quite rare. Regardless of the presence of gallstones, gallbladder disease can cause quite severe pain - biliary colic. Such pain is not constant, but may recur at the same time of the day or after a heavy meal. The pain can last up to several hours.

Heart attack

A heart attack or an imminent heart attack can cause pain between the shoulder blades. Pain between the shoulder blades caused by a heart attack is more common in women than in men. During a heart attack, discomfort is first felt in the chest area, and then radiates to the shoulder, arm, or upper back, where it can be concentrated in the area between the shoulder blades. In short, upper back pain is not the surest sign of a serious heart problem, as a heart attack can have many symptoms. However, any pain that seems unusual and difficult to explain should be a reason to see a doctor.

Inflammation under the diaphragm

Inflammation under the diaphragm can sometimes lead to referred pain, ie. pain that is not felt in the place where, in fact, there is a problem. At first glance, it is difficult for a person to establish a logical relationship between the diaphragm, which separates the sternum from the lower part of the abdominal region, and the area between the shoulder blades. The diaphragm is a large, dish-shaped muscle that helps us breathe. It moves up and down as the lungs contract and expand. When we breathe, the muscles of the upper back also take part in this process. If one of the muscles of the back is overstretched, the breathing process can become painful. On the other hand, if inflammation under the diaphragm affects the functioning of this muscle, it can also directly affect the functioning of the back muscles. As a result, if these muscles do not function quite as they should, pain can occur with movement.

Spinal stenosis

Pathological narrowing spinal canal. Narrowing can occur anywhere in the spine, but most often stenosis occurs in the lumbar spine, as well as in the cervical region, at the level of the neck or shoulders. If the narrowing of the spinal canal is too severe, stenosis becomes a dangerous condition, as it threatens to compress the spinal cord, which often leads to very serious complications. If the stenosis occurs in the cervical spine, pain may be felt just below the neck or under the shoulder blade. In the event that the narrowing of the spinal canal occurs in the segment of the spine located just below the neck, pain may occur between the shoulder blades. Symptoms of stenosis in mild cases respond well to treatment with medical preparations and exercise. More complex cases may require surgery.

cervical spondylosis

Cervical spondylosis is a condition in which the cervical vertebrae or discs between them undergo a degeneration process. Spondylosis is most common in the lumbar spine, but cervical spondylosis is also not uncommon. When cervical osteophytes become large enough, pinching of the spinal nerves can occur, resulting in pain in the neck or upper back, including the area between the shoulder blades. Conditions such as cervical spondylosis, spinal stenosis, and herniated or protruded intervertebral discs often go hand in hand, as the process of degeneration of the vertebrae or intervertebral discs can also lead to narrowing of the spinal canal.

Osteoarthritis of the cervical spine

Osteoarthritis of the cervical spine is easily confused with cervical spondylosis because the symptoms are very similar. It often happens that both violations occur together. Osteoarthritis pain usually worsens in the morning and late at night and lessens during the busiest times of the day. At first, the pain is often localized in the spine, but later it can radiate to the shoulder or arm. Osteoarthritis usually affects only the joint and, unlike rheumatoid arthritis, is not a systemic disease. Differentiating osteoarthritis from cervical spondylosis can be helped by the fact that the former often causes a feeling of stiffness in the affected spinal segment.

facet syndrome

Facet syndrome (arthrosis of the intervertebral joints) is another source of discomfort. Intervertebral (or facet) joints are located between the vertebrae and are responsible for the mobility of the spine and, at the same time, prevent its excessive mobility, which could lead to displacement of one or more intervertebral discs. Exist different problems associated with the facet joints, which can lead to pain or discomfort in the area between the shoulder blades, one of them is the formation of bone growths in one or more joints. Bone growths are usually the result of wear and tear of the intervertebral joints. With bone growths, one or more joints increase in size - this is the so-called. facet syndrome.

Of all the above causes of pain between the shoulder blades, poor posture is the most common, followed by a herniated disc. Spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis, facet joint problems, and spondylosis are common among older people. However, now they are already found in 30-year-olds. It is probably not superfluous to note that obesity is a risk factor for pain between the shoulder blades, since excess weight affects both posture and the muscles of the back involved in the breathing process.

Acute or chronic pain between the shoulder blades is a very common complaint among people. different ages and professions. It can be a symptom of the usual overwork of the back muscles, and also indicate some diseases of the spine and internal organs.

Important to remember! Shoulder pain should never be ignored. In most cases, this symptom is associated with benign diseases of the spine, but sometimes it is the only symptom of a life-threatening illness, for example, myocardial infarction, dissection of an aneurysm of the thoracic aorta, perforated stomach ulcer. And if you do not provide immediate medical care man, everything can end in death.

A bit of anatomy

To understand what exactly can hurt in the region of the shoulder blades, you need to understand the features anatomical structure this part of the body.

The shoulder blade refers to the flat bones of our body. It performs a protective function, and also takes part in the formation of the skeleton of the hand and provides it with motor activity. Around the scapula is a powerful muscular frame. A large number of shoulder and back muscles originate or attach to the scapula.

In the space behind the scapula there are ribs and intercostal spaces, in which neurovascular bundles run, starting at the spine. Between the shoulder blades passes the thoracic spine.

In the projection of the shoulder blades are the vital organs of the chest and abdominal cavity: heart, thoracic aorta, lungs and pleura, The lymph nodes, thoracic lymphatic duct, superior vena cava, stomach, spleen, pancreas, liver and gallbladder. Pathologies of all these organs can be manifested by pain between the shoulder blades.

Given all of the above, back pain near the shoulder blade can be associated with 2 groups of causes:

1. Diseases and pathological conditions musculoskeletal system: spine, back muscles, intercostal nerves and ligaments.
2. Diseases of the internal organs of the abdominal and chest cavity (cardiological, gastroenterological and pulmonological diseases).

Causes associated with the pathology of the spine

If you wondered why it hurts between the shoulder blades, first of all it is necessary to exclude diseases of the musculoskeletal system, since they occur in most cases.

Pathology of the thoracic spine

Pain syndrome (acute and chronic) in the back manifests such diseases of the spinal column:

• osteochondrosis,
• spondylarthrosis,
• spondylosis,
• spondylolisthesis,
• intervertebral hernia,
• scoliosis, thoracic pathological kyphosis, kyphoscoliosis,
• vertebral injuries, such as compression fractures,
• congenital defects of the thoracic vertebrae.

In these diseases, pain in the spine may be associated with pathological muscle tension, which occurs due to changes in the tissues of the spinal column or due to compression, irritation, and swelling of the spinal nerve roots.

Degenerative-dystrophic lesions thoracic spine often occur with pain in the interscapular zone

As a rule, vertebrogenic pains under the scapula have 2 options:

1. Chronic and aching pain that occurs or increases with movement, bending over to the affected side, with an uncomfortable posture.
2. Sharp and sudden, very intense pain that can be described as an electric shock. The patient is in so much pain that he cannot breathe or move. Such pain lasts for several minutes, then it is replaced by chronic and less intense.

This disease has another name - ankylosing spondylitis. By its nature, it refers to autoimmune systemic inflammation of the connective tissue, but with a predominant lesion of the joints of the spinal column and its ligaments.

Pathology progresses slowly. The pain in the back bothers me constantly, it gets worse at night. Over time, deformities of the spine develop, restrictions on its mobility, which become the cause of a person's disability. In the later stages, internal organs are also involved in the pathological process.

Spinal deformity in Bechterew's disease

Shoulder-shoulder periarthritis

As a rule, this disease develops in people whose activities are associated with increased stress on the shoulder joint. For reference: the acromial process of the scapula takes part in the construction of the shoulder joint. It is to it that the head of the humerus is attached.

Shoulder-shoulder periarthritis develops over several months or even years, has 3 stages:

1. Acute stage - patients complain of pain in the shoulder when moving. Pain often spreads to the area of ​​the scapula and the interscapular space. The function of the hand at this stage is not impaired.
2. Stage of imaginary well-being- characterized by the subsidence of pain, but gradually begins to develop a limitation of motor activity in the shoulder.
3. Final stage no pain, but range of motion shoulder joint significantly limited and sometimes does not exceed 10-15º.

A symptom that will help recognize the disease on early stage, is the inability to put a hand behind the head due to pain, as well as a crunch in the shoulder blade area when trying to do this.

This condition may be congenital or acquired. In the second variant, the pterygoid scapula may be the result of damage to some muscles near it, the nerves that innervate them. Such a disease is not only a cosmetic problem, but is also accompanied chronic pain aching character at the level of the thoracic segment of the spine.

It is easy to detect pathology. For this, a simple inspection is enough. In some cases, to examine the pterygoid scapula, you need to ask the patient to lean against the wall with straightened arms.

Pterygoid scapulae are easy to recognize

Intercostal neuralgia

Most often, this disease is vertebrogenic in nature, that is, inflammation of the nerve along the intercostal space is due to changes in the spinal column during hernia, osteochondrosis, etc. But sometimes the pathology can also be infectious in nature, for example, a herpes virus infection with herpes zoster.

With intercostal neuralgia, patients complain of:

• the pain that occurs between the shoulder blades and spreads along the chest wall to its anterior surface has an intense shooting character;
• pain sensations are localized, as a rule, only on one side, aggravated by pressing on the affected area and tilting in the same direction;
• with herpes zoster, redness and characteristic vesicular rashes appear along the course of the inflamed nerve;
• along the affected intercostal space, one can observe a violation of the sensitivity of the skin, tingling.

Important! Left-sided intercostal neuralgia is very similar in clinical picture with angina pectoris or myocardial infarction. Therefore, in order not to miss such a formidable disease, all patients do an ECG.

Myositis

This is an inflammation of the muscles of an infectious or aseptic nature. Pain under the scapula often disturbs patients with myositis. The pain can be as acute (complicates the course of any acute respiratory viral infection) and chronic.

With myositis, patients complain of pain sensations of a aching nature, which are aggravated by movements, palpation and stretching of the inflamed muscles. As a rule, with myositis, ointments based on NSAIDs, as well as local irritants, are very effective.

Causes associated with the pathology of internal organs

As already mentioned, pain in the region of the scapular bones and between them may be associated with the pathology of several internal organs of the abdominal and chest cavity. Let's consider the main ones.

Spread of pain in angina pectoris or myocardial infarction

Cardiovascular ailments

Among the lesions of the internal organs, which can be manifested by pain in the area of ​​the shoulder blades, diseases of the heart and large vessels are in the first place in terms of distribution and danger to life.

An attack of angina pectoris or myocardial infarction is often accompanied by pain under the left shoulder blade or between them. The following symptoms will help distinguish these dangerous conditions from other causes of pain:

• the attack develops suddenly and is often associated with physical or emotional stress;
• the pain does not have a shooting, stabbing character, but pressing, squeezing, burning;
• pain appears, as a rule, behind the sternum and radiates between the shoulder blades, but there may be options when it hurts only in the area of ​​​​the shoulder blades;
• the patient has shortness of breath, pale skin, cold sweat, fear of death;
• the duration of the pain does not exceed 15-20 minutes, if it hurts longer, then a heart attack may have developed;
• angina pain is relieved by nitroglycerin.

Another cardiac pathology that requires emergency care, is a dissecting aortic aneurysm. If the patient is not operated on immediately, the aneurysm may rupture, causing fatal internal bleeding. Pain in this pathology is similar to an attack of angina pectoris, occurs abruptly, but differs in characteristic migration: it begins in the chest and spreads into the interscapular space, then descends down into the lumbar zone. You can also see a sharp decrease blood pressure.

Pulmonary diseases

Pain between the shoulder blades can occur with such diseases of the bronchopulmonary apparatus:

• pleurisy (inflammation of the pleura);
• pneumonia;
• pulmonary tuberculosis;
• abscess of lung tissue;
• malignant tumors;
• bronchiectasis.

Symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, fever, wheezing when breathing will help to suspect pulmonary pathology. For confirmation, a chest x-ray is mandatory.

Pleurisy often causes pain between the shoulder blades

Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

Pain between the shoulder blades and in their projection can manifest such ailments of the gastrointestinal tract:

• perforated stomach ulcer and duodenum;
• acute pancreatitis;
• acute cholecystitis;
• cholelithiasis;
• hepatitis;
• malignant tumors of the liver, stomach, pancreas.

Additional symptoms (abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, etc.) will help to understand the diagnosis, as well as additional methods examinations (ultrasound, fibrogastroduodenoscopy, radiography of the abdominal organs, laboratory tests).

Other reasons

There are many more reasons that can lead to pain between the shoulder blades. Some of them should be listed:

• osteoporosis and its consequences (kyphotic deformity of the spine, compression fractures of the thoracic vertebrae);
• malignant lesions of the spine and the scapula itself (multiple myeloma, hemangiosarcoma, lymphomas, sarcomas, metastases of other tumors);
• osteomyelitis and tuberculosis of the scapula, spinal column;
• traumatic injury to the spleen.

Thus, there are a lot of causes of pain between the shoulder blades. Most of them do not require urgent medical intervention and do not affect life expectancy, but only reduce its quality. But there are those that require emergency medical intervention in order to save lives. Therefore, with any pain in the area of ​​​​the shoulder blades, you need to seek help from a doctor to determine the exact diagnosis.