Shoulder Pain Treatment

Shoulder and back pain can be closely related - sometimes one leads to another and sometimes the two share a common source related to nerve entrapment.

The shoulder joint and all of its muscles and soft tissues are derived from the same part of the embryo as the fifth vertebra and nerve of the neck. This means that lower neck pain and shoulder area pain can be directly related.

Sometimes shoulder pain and back pain between the shoulder blades can also occur. Irritation of the lower segments of the neck will typically send pain down into the area between the shoulder blades - this pain is called referred pain. It is often dull and aching in quality and made worse by movements of the neck. This type of shoulder related back pain often causes trigger points to form in the muscles and these can be felt as acutely tender spots.

Labels: back pain, frozen shoulder, pain control, shoulder and back pain, shoulder blade, shoulder nerve, shoulder pain

Shoulder Blade Pain

What causes a pain in the Shoulder Blade area?

Interestingly, but importantly, shoulder blade pain only rarely arises due to a problem with the shoulder blade.

The shoulder blade is also called the scapula. True problems in the region of the scapula are rare and include bone disease such as infection or bone tumour. These causes account for no more than a tiny percentage of shouder blade pain problems.

Nearly every case of shoulder blade pain is due to a problems in the lower part of the neck or in the upper part of the back. This pattern of pain is known as referred pain. Referred pain from the neck is usually felt along the inner side of the shoulder blade - the side nearest the spine in other words.

How to diagnose Shoulder Blade Pain
Your doctor or therapist will begin the diagnosis of shoulder blade pain with a simple examination. They will examine your shoulder joint, muscles and the nerves of the upper arm. Your cervical spine (or neck) will also be examined - along with your upper back or thoracic spine.

If your shoulder blade pain is arising in the cervical spine then neck movements will trigger it or make it worse.

Your doctor may organise an x-ray of the neck or an MRI scan to confirm the diagnosis of a neck problem although this is not always required.

If your doctor suspects another reason for your shoulder blade pain then you may need blood tests, a chest x-ray or an MRI scan of the chest or thoracic region.

Severe shoulder blade pain of sudden onset can be an indication of serious heart or blood vessel problems. You should seek medical attention immediately if this occurs

How to treat Shoulder Blade Pain
The treatment of shoulder blade pain will in part depend on the cause that your doctor or therapist discovers. The commonest cause is related to the neck or cervical spine and treatment is usually best directed at this area.

Neck treatments for shoulder blade pain often result in a quick and full recovery.

Treatment options for shoulder blade pain include:

painkiller or anti-inflammation medication
physical therapy from a physiotherapist, chiropractor or osteopath
manipulation of the neck or thoracic spine
acupuncture

Labels: arthritis, joint pain, shoulder blade, shoulder pain