Anatomy of Shoulders
Knowing a bit about the anatomy of the upper back between your shoulders can help you understand why you might feel pain.
Your upper back and shoulders often feel pain because of muscles and nerves connected to two main parts of your spine: the cervical spine in your neck and the thoracic spine in your mid-back.
The cervical spine has seven neck vertebrae, while the thoracic spine has twelve, and it’s the biggest part of your spine. This area not only protects your spinal cord but also connects to the twelve ribs.
In your thoracic region, there are many muscles, including the trapezius, rhomboids, serratus anterior, levator scapulae, and latissimus dorsi. These muscles are all linked to your shoulder or shoulder blade along your thoracic spine.
Also, muscles like the pectoralis major and minor from the front of your body attach to your upper back. Doctors often use a highway analogy to explain the back’s structures. The main highway represents your brain and spinal cord, while the smaller roads are nerves traveling throughout your body. The landscape surrounding these roads consists of your muscles and tendons.
Potential Causes of Pain Near Shoulder Blades
Pain between your shoulder blades can happen for various reasons, including:
- Muscle Strain: Pulling a muscle from poor posture, heavy lifting, or twisting activities can lead to pain between the shoulder blades.
- Trauma: Injuries like shoulder joint separation or rotator cuff tears can cause shoulder pain.
- Herniated or Bulging Discs: Disc issues in the cervical or thoracic spine can irritate nerves and cause pain.
- Arthritis: Arthritis in the neck or ribs can cause pain between the shoulder blades.
- Heart Attack: Women may experience pain between the shoulder blades as a symptom of a heart attack, along with other symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath.
- Cancer: Lung, esophageal, mesothelioma, lymphomas, and other cancers can cause referred pain between the shoulders.
- Gallbladder Disease: Pain between the shoulder blades, along with nausea, can occur after eating fatty meals due to gallbladder issues.
- Pinched Nerve: Conditions like myofascial pain syndrome can cause muscle spasms and pain.
- Acid Reflux: GERD may cause pain between the shoulder blades, along with other symptoms like chest discomfort or swallowing problems.
- Scoliosis: Severe curvature of the thoracic spine can cause pain between the shoulder blades, though it’s rare.
- Thoracic Aorta Tear: A tear in the thoracic aorta can cause sudden, severe pain in the upper back.
Diagnosis & Treatment Options
When you visit your doctor for pain between or around your shoulder blades, they will ask you questions about your symptoms and medical history. Furthermore, you might need tests like X-rays or MRI scans to figure out what’s causing your pain.
Treatment depends on what’s causing the pain. If it’s from muscle strain, you might take over-the-counter pain meds like ibuprofen, do stretches, or use ice packs. Surgery might be needed for serious issues like a rotator cuff injury. You might need medication or lifestyle changes if it’s a heart problem or something else.
Trusted By The Houston Community
Patient Reviews
Tom Conklin
Gilmer Phillips
Jack Roland
Peffley Nazlin
Thank you for a pleasant experience! The front office staff as well as the medical staff made me feel like family. They answered all my questions and I didn't feel rushed. The wait time was also less than 5 minutes of my scheduled appointment.
A M
Very enjoyable experience, the people are super nice and extremely knowledgeable. I highly recommend Dr Cusick and his team
Robert Peeler
Kyle Powell
Kathy Zenker
DR CUSICK was very thorough. He explain everything so I could understand. I didn't feel like I was being rushed through.he took time with me
Sandy Coalson
Ending Note
See a doctor if you have pain between your shoulder blades or upper back that lasts a few weeks. If the pain is intense or accompanies other serious symptoms like headache, tingling, weakness, or nausea, get medical help immediately.
You can also visit Dr. Cusick at Michael C. Cusick, M.D. Our board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializes in shoulder and elbow surgery and has extensive experience in general orthopedic surgery, trauma, and joint reconstruction. Dial (713) 794-3599 to reach out.
