Common Causes of Shoulder Blade Pain

While shoulder blade pain is a common phenomenon, it should not be avoided. This kind of discomfort is referred to as interscapular pain by doctors. Shoulder blade pain is typically characterized by a dull, aching, sore, or searing pain in the upper part of the back and between the shoulder blades. At times, shoulder blade pain may go away sooner than it came, but at other times, it may persist and may be a sign of a more serious condition. You should not neglect the pain and do not opt for a painkiller before consulting a doctor. Visit a doctor to learn about the underlying reason for the shoulder blade pain and act on the measures recommended by him or her.

Causes of Shoulder Blade Pain
An injury to a tendon or a muscle may lead to the onset of shoulder blade pain. Its pain varies and may range between mild and severe. Muscle strains leading to shoulder blade pain may be caused due to one of the following:

• Straining a muscle while sleeping
• Heavy lifting
• Poor posture
• Sitting in one place for too long
• Pulling a muscle while exercising

Injuries to other parts of your body may also lead to shoulder blade pain. This includes spine fractures, rotator cuff tears, and other injuries that cause shoulder blade pain. Here are a few other causes of shoulder blade pain:

• Gallstone accompanied by a feeling of nausea and pain in the upper right portion of the abdomen
• Nerve compression
• A degenerative disc disease like a bulging disc in the spine or a hernia
• Scoliosis
• Certain cancers like liver cancer, lung cancer, lymphomas, and esophageal cancer
• Acid reflux
• Spinal stenosis
• Osteoarthritis
• Fibromyalgia

While many cases of shoulder blade pain are a temporary phenomenon and may be caused because you have been sitting in an uncomfortable position or putting immense pressure on your shoulder blade while sleeping, visit a doctor if the pain persists. There is no point letting the condition progress without treatment if the underlying cause of the pain is something that requires medical attention. Practicing yoga, taking prescribed medicines such as ibuprofen, avoiding processed food, taking adequate rest, and opting for a massage therapy often helps in curbing the pain.