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Jan 07
2016

If you’ve experienced pain between the shoulder blades in the past, or you are currently, you may think it’s due to a harmless problem.  You could have slept in the wrong position, sat in front of the computer too long or had a hard workout this week.  Although the pain could simply be caused from excessive movement or poor posture, pain between the shoulder blades may also be something more.  We see this condition often at our clinics and want to help each patient find out what is causing that dreaded pain between the shoulder blades.

Let’s breakdown 3 possible causes of your pain between the shoulder blades.

Herniated Disc

A herniated disc happens when the disc breaks down or ruptures.  Each of these discs act as a pad-like structure between the vertebrae, enabling the disc to act as a spinal column shock absorber.  Either an injury or disease can cause one of these discs to become damaged and eventually break down.  A herniated disc or swollen joint can cause pain, discomfort and numbness. This pain can radiate to the upper back and between the shoulder blades.

Facet Joint Syndrome

Swollen facet joints can produce aches in your upper back and—you guessed it—between the shoulder blades.  Your spine’s flexibility is due to these joints.  If they become injured or swollen, it can affect your day-to-day movements like turning and bending.   Facet joints become swollen when there are gaps in the vertebrae.  Factors such as aging, excessive pressure or injury can cause the intervertebral discs to lose their thickness and springiness. This can narrow the gap between the facet joints and vertebrae.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis can be a culprit causing pain between the shoulder blades.  Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of the joint cartilage and underlying bone which can cause pain and stiffness.  Osteoarthritis causes the cartilage in your joints to break down causing swelling, pain and problems moving the joint.  Over time, bones may develop growths called bone spurs which may chip off and float around in the joint.  Osteoarthritis is the most common chronic condition of the joints, affecting approximately 27 million Americans.

Need to figure out what’s causing your pain between the shoulder blades?  Schedule an appointment with Above & Beyond Physical Therapy today.    We have solutions and treatments for pain between the shoulder blades to get you back to living life free of pain.  At Above & Beyond, your recovery is our passion.