Upper Back Pain Between the Shoulder Blades
Pain between the shoulder blades, or interscapular pain, is a common type of upper back pain. The most common cause of this pain is usually from muscle strain. However, there are also several, more serious conditions that can cause pain between the shoulder blades. Traumatic injuries, herniated discs, gall bladder disease, and heart attacks are some of the conditions that can cause upper back pain between the shoulders.
What Causes Muscle Strains?
There are several things that can cause muscle strains in the upper back region. Poor posture such as hunching over a computer or at a desk all day can cause muscles to tense up or provide less support for your spine. These muscle strains can also lead to headaches. [1] Lifting heavy objects can also strain muscles in the upper back causing pain. [1] It is important to always utilize proper lifting techniques. Continuous strain on the back overtime can buildup and cause pain overtime, even without an acute strain. Other causes of muscles strains can be from sleeping on an unsupportive mattress, or it could be sports related especially with sports that involve a lot of twisting such as tennis or golf.
Treating pain at home
There are many at home treatments you can try to relieve interscapular pain due to muscle strains. Stretching can help improve poor posture and relieve tension in muscles from the strain. Heat and cold therapies can help reduce swelling and pain, and over the counter pain relievers can also help. If you strained a muscle in your upper back it is important to let it rest to heal. It can take several weeks for some strains to heal, if the pain does not go away with at home care, or if it gets worse, it is important to discuss it with your doctor. Treatment may include working with your doctor, physical therapist, chiropractors, or other specialists. [1]
Back Pain from Traumatic Injuries
Traumatic injuries from sports or car accidents can cause shoulder injuries such as rotator cuff tears and joint separation. [1] These are more severe than a muscle strain and can cause constant upper back pain or pain that worsens with movement. Any traumatic injury should be evaluated by a healthcare professional to help determine the best course of treatment.
Herniated Discs and Back Pain
Herniated discs and arthritis are two other causes of pain between the shoulders. Herniated discs in the neck or upper back can cause pressure on the spine or nerves that cause pain throughout the neck or between the shoulders. [2] Upper back pain caused by a cervical herniated disc can be positional, where the pain worsens when the neck is extended.
Other symptoms you may experience with a herniated disc include numbness, tingling, or pain that radiates down the arms. [2] Pain experienced from a herniated disc may be a burning or stinging sensation rather than an ache as experienced with muscle strain. [2] Arthritis can cause stiffness in the spine that leads to pain and decreased flexibility. There can also be swelling or tenderness over the effected vertebrae.
Serious Conditions Causing Back Pain
Though less common causes of back pain, there are a few serious medical conditions that can have upper back pain between the shoulders as a symptom. Some people, especially women, can experience a persistent, dull pain between their shoulders when having a heart attack. Other symptoms you may experience with a heart attack are chest pain, lightheadedness, or feeling short of breath. [3]
A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot that blocks blood flow to your lungs, it can have the same symptoms as a heart attack. Some types of cancer may also first present with pain between the shoulders, sometimes with no accompanying symptoms.
Finally, gallbladder disease may have pain that radiates to the space between the shoulders. This pain is experienced after eating meals containing a lot of fat. If you begin experiencing new, sudden, or severe back pain it is important to seek medical attention to rule out any serious medical problems.
It is estimated that 39% of adults live with back pain. [4] If you are experiencing pain that is unrelieved by at home treatment, is worsening, or sudden onset, reach out to your doctor to work to find the relief you deserve.
Sources
El Sayed M, Callahan AL. Mechanical Back Strain. [Updated 2022 Jan 24]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542314/
David DeWitt, M. D. (2009, July 28). Upper back pain from a thoracic herniated disc . Spine. Retrieved June 17, 2022, from https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/herniated-disc/upper-back-pain-a-thoracic-herniated-disc
Warning signs of a heart attack . www.heart.org. (2022, April 11). Retrieved June 17, 2022, from https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/warning-signs-of-a-heart-attack
Lucas JW, Connor EM, Bose J. Back, lower limb, and upper limb pain among U.S. adults, 2019.
NCHS Data Brief, no 415. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2021. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.15620/cdc:107894external icon.
