Everything You Need To Know About Shoulder Blade Pain
Shoulder Blade Pain: 7 Common Causes & Treatment Options
The scapulae, also known as shoulder blades, are characterized by their triangular shape bones located in the upper back. The scapulae is an essential complex structure for proper support and the pivotal movements of the shoulder. Shoulder blade pain often appears as a result of an injury, bad posture, spinal diseases, among others. Although shoulder blade pain may originate in the joint or tendons, this pain can travel to other parts of the body, and may get worse with repetitive movements performed with the corresponding arm. Shoulder blade pain can be located at the right shoulder blade, left shoulder blade or in between the shoulders.
Rhomboid Muscle Strain
The first cause for a shoulder blade pain is a condition called rhomboid muscle strain. Rhomboids are a group of muscles that help to retract your shoulder blades back. Sometimes these muscles can be pulled due to heavy lifting or poor posture.
Signs and symptoms include pain with movement of the arm, restricted motion in the arm and pain right in between the shoulder blades.
A holistic treatment is recommended for this condition. Ideally, the treatment plan would consist of chiropractic care and physiotherapy, as well as other complementary therapies such as massage and acupuncture. Chiropractic adjustments in between the mid back would assist increasing range of motion in the area. Physiotherapy would be used to get the rhomboid muscle group stronger through specific stretching and strengthening protocols. Finally, Acupuncture and massage therapy would focus on decreasing pain, any swelling that could be present, or any trigger points that are visible.
Snapping Scapular Syndrome
Snapping scapular syndrome is cracking, popping or grinding along the inner side of the shoulder blade, and it is usually due to instability of the shoulder blade, due to repetitive strain, or lifting something heavy.
The treatment goal is to strengthen the subscapularis muscle. Physiotherapy can help strengthening the muscles surrounding the shoulder joint through electrical stimulation therapy, kinesiology taping, heat and cold treatments, and assisted stretches, among others. Chiropractors would focus on the shoulder joint itself, working on it to make it stronger through joint mobilizations.
Rotator Cuff Tear
The rotator cuff is made up of a group of four muscles that surround the shoulder joint which merge to form a common tendon. Rotator cuff tears can be degenerative or traumatic.
When a tear occurs in this area, there is usually weakness in the arm, trouble lifting the arm up, pain in the shoulder joint, and pain in the shoulder blade area as well.
Current research indicates that non-surgical intervention should be initial course. Physiotherapy will help to strengthen the group of muscles around the shoulder joint and to stretch the ones that are tight and inactive. Massage therapy helps to loosen up the muscles that are not letting proper movement in the joint occur.
Rib Sprain
This injury occurs usually to a direct force. Signs and symptoms include trouble breathing cause the ribs also make up our rib cage. There is mighty visible swelling and visible muscle spasms as well.
Treatment options include adjusting the rib back into its proper position. Acupuncture around the rib joint can help to decrease pain and get better movement. Massage helps relieve some of the tight muscles in and around the shoulder blade and physiotherapy to help stretch and strengthen the muscles that are weak as a result of this condition.
Non-Musculoskeletal Cause
The fifth cause for shoulder blade pain could be due to a non-musculoskeletal cause. This could be referred pain from the gallstones or inflammation from the pancreas. Most people feel pain in between their shoulder blade area and the pain does not go away with rest.
When this occurs it is quite imperative to go to your local emergency hospital and get treatment right away. A referral to a medical doctor is appropriate as well. Once everything is stabilized and the inflammation is under control a naturopathic doctor can also help for further prevention.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a widespread pain disorder that’s characterized by symmetrical pain points in the body. Four of these pain points are located in and around the shoulder blade area. There’s usually pain in the back and pain in between the shoulder blades.
Treatment options include chiropractic, massage, physiotherapy, and most importantly naturopathy can help to treat the underlying cause of fibromyalgia. Naturopathy can also help with anti-inflammatory support and any associated stress or anxiety.
Arthritis
Arthritis can lead to inflammation in the Facet joints in the mid back and in the thoracic spine. Usually, with arthritis, you get pain in the shoulder blade area or in between the shoulder blades, as well as, around the top of the shoulder joint.
Treatment options include conservative care. Massage therapy helps relax the stiff and tight muscles. Chiropractic joint mobilizations will work on improving range of motion in the shoulder blade and in the shoulder joint as well. Lastly, Physiotherapy stretches and strengthens the muscles in between the shoulder blades and also in the rotator cuff muscles.
If you’re experiencing any of these conditions and are getting pain in the shoulder blade please make sure to get a thorough assessment done to figure out what the root cause of the pain is. You can always contact us at our phone number or you can visit our website for more information.
How Can PhysioChiroWellness Help?
At PhysioChiroWellness Integrated Health Centre our highly-skilled practitioners work together to create fully integrated health solutions that may include physiotherapy, chiropractic, massage therapy, acupuncture, naturopathy, medical aesthetics amongst others. Our professionals will work together towards achieving an optimal health for all our patients through a holistically approach when treating any condition or pain they may present. This service is provided in our Ajax, Mississauga, Newmarket, & Vaughan clinics and can be booked at any time.
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