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What does pain under the scapula mean? Causes of pain under the scapula, Pain under the left scapula, Pain under the right scapula, Pain under the scapula – what to do
When was the last time you felt pain under your shoulder blade? In this place it hurts not so often, almost never. That is why such pain is of particular concern.
Like a flashing “check engine” light in any vehicle, pain in any part of the body is a sign that something is wrong and needs to be checked. Moreover, the intensity of the pain does not always indicate the severity of the problem. Among the causes of pain under the scapula, there can be both muscle injuries and more serious problems, such as a heart attack or internal bleeding.
One of the causes of pain under the scapula may be a subscapularis injury. The rotator cuff is made up of four muscles. The subscapularis muscle, as its name suggests, is located directly under the scapula. Trauma or constant strain can cause this muscle to spasm or rupture. The location of this muscle makes it very difficult to massage it on its own. And professional massage therapists and chiropractors have to use all their skills to get to her.
Other causes of pain under the scapula may be in the field of neurology. Many internal organs do not have nerves of their own to function as pain receptors. Sometimes organs share a part of the nervous system with a neighboring area of the body, so the reaction to injury or external irritation of one organ can be given in another. For example, anything that happens to the stomach can signal pain in the left shoulder blade. In general, pain in any of the abdominal organs can provoke pain in the right or left shoulder, or in the center between the shoulder blades. By the way, a combination of abdominal pain and pain between the shoulder blades is considered an emergency when need to call a doctor.
What can cause pain under the left shoulder blade
One of the most common causes of pain under the left scapula is damage to the scapula itself. This, fortunately, happens quite rarely. According to medical statistics, fractures of the scapular bone account for less than one percent of all fractures, that is, this bone is the least likely to break (which is not surprising, given its location, it is strange that someone even manages to break it). Fractures of the scapula can occur when subjected to direct force, such as falling from a motorcycle or car accident. In this case, severe pain will be felt in the back of the shoulder, under or above the left shoulder blade. Left untreated, trauma to the scapula can lead to chronic pain.
Very often, pain under the left shoulder blade is accompanied by chest pain. Every time the chest pain is reflected in the left shoulder, left arm, or jaw, there is a fear that the person is having a heart attack. A heart attack may not be accompanied by any painful sensations at all, but if pain under the left shoulder blade or between them is combined with tightness in the chest or shortness of breath – urgently need to call the doctor.
Pain under the right shoulder blade
Pain under the right shoulder blade can begin for various reasons, one of them is myofascial pain dysfunctional syndrome. Myofascial pain syndrome is a type of chronic muscle pain. These pains are associated with tender and hyper-irritating points in the muscles called trigger points. When you press them, pain spreads throughout the muscle. Common signs and symptoms associated with myofascial pain syndrome include deep muscle pain, persistent or progressive muscle pain, muscle stiffness, and joint stiffness. In addition, in such cases, there is a decrease in the quality of sleep. Myofascial pain can appear anywhere throughout the body, one of the manifestations is pain under the right shoulder blade.
Another cause of pain under the right shoulder blade may be herpes zoster, also known as herpes zoster. Herpes zoster appears as a rash or blisters on the skin and is caused by the chickenpox virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Although this condition is not life-threatening, it can cause severe muscle pain, including pain under the right shoulder blade. Common signs and symptoms associated with herpes zoster include burning, tingling, or numbness in the affected area, a red rash that appears several days after the onset of painful sensations, fluid-filled, itchy blisters.
What to do if it hurts under the scapula?
In order to get rid of pain under the scapula, you need to accurately determine their cause. Your doctor will help you do this, and you, in turn, can speed up the healing process by following simple tips.
Light physical activity helps with pain under the scapula. Exercises such as wall push-ups, push-ups with additional load on the shoulders, shoulder flexion, help to strengthen the shoulder muscles and joints, and are very effective in reducing the sensation of pain under the scapula. For example, to do wall push-ups, you need to stand facing the wall with your feet shoulder-width apart. The load on the arms in this case is minimal, and even basic sports skills are completely unnecessary. Only the shoulders are loaded.
Massage traditionally helps with pain under the scapula. For example, a cold shoulder massage using ice can relieve pain under the scapula if it is caused by any kind of inflammation due to muscle strain or soft tissue damage. When doing such a massage, make sure that the ice does not directly touch the skin, always use some kind of cloth, wrapping ice cubes in it and only then applying to the sore spot. If the pain under the scapula is severe, massage should be done at least three times a day, and the duration of each session should be at least ten minutes.