Causes of Pain Between the Shoulder Blades

Experiencing Pain Between the Shoulder Blades is a common issue with a range of potential causes. From everyday muscle strains to more serious conditions like herniated discs or arthritis, identifying the source is vital for appropriate treatment. Explore various reasons behind this discomfort and emphasize the importance of seeking medical advice when needed if you are having pain between the shoulders. Continue reading to learn more.

Upper back pain between the shoulder blades has many causes, including muscle strain, herniated discs, arthritis, or, less often, a serious health problem. Treatment for pain between the shoulder blades depends on the cause but frequently includes stretching and medications for pain.
This article goes over some of the reasons you might be experiencing pain between your shoulder blades, and when you should see a doctor.

Possible Causes of Pain Between the Shoulder Blades

Pain between the shoulder blades can develop from a problem with any body parts located between the shoulder blades, such as:

The skin between the shoulder blades
Muscles like the rhomboids, middle trapezius, and lower trapezius, which all help keep your shoulder blades back and down1
The thoracic spine (center portion of the spine)
The thoracic aorta, which is part of the largest blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body
Part of the esophagus
Part of the heart
A portion of the lungs

You might also have referred pain. When this happens, nerves send signals that cause pain near the shoulder blades, even though the original source of the pain is somewhere else.

Muscle Strain

Muscle strain (pulled muscle) is the most common cause of pain between the shoulder blades. You can pull a muscle from:

Poor posture, especially when you lean forward while you sit or stand for long periods of time
Lifting heavy objects
Activities that involve twisting, like golf or tennis
Sleeping on a mattress that doesn’t give you adequate support

Trauma

Trauma can cause injuries that lead to shoulder pain, such as shoulder joint separation and rotator cuff tears.2

A shoulder joint separation is different than a dislocated shoulder, which you might feel in the shoulder joint.

Herniated or Bulging Discs

Degenerative disc disease in the cervical spine or thoracic spine can irritate or press on your nerves or spine. This can lead to pain between your shoulders.

Other symptoms of a herniated disc include: