The shoulder blade, also called the scapula, is a triangular bone that sits midway up your back. It is surrounded by a network of muscles that allows you to move your arms and shoulders. Pain under the shoulder blade can be caused by a variety of problems ranging from a minor muscle strain to a life-threatening heart condition or lung cancer. An accurate diagnosis and early treatment can help you find long-term relief from shoulder blade pain.
In some cases, the pain in your back shoulder blade may be caused by a herniated disk in the neck or upper back. This slipped disc puts pressure on ligaments, nerves, and other tissues in the area around the shoulder. This can lead to a tight knot or tenderness that is felt under the shoulder blade. The pain may also radiate elsewhere in the body, including the chest and arms.
Other causes of shoulder blade pain include a heart attack or aortic dissection, where a tear occurs in the inside layer of the large blood vessel that extends down from your heart. Women are more likely to experience this as a symptom of heart disease and should seek emergency medical treatment immediately. Cancerous tumors, especially Pancoast tumors that occur in the lungs, may cause pain that is felt under the shoulder blade.
Preventing shoulder blade pain involves a combination of techniques and exercises. The most effective method is regular exercise, especially strength training, which should be done two or three times a week with one or two days of rest in between. You should also perform stretching exercises daily. pain in back shoulder blade