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Behandlerverket

Pain between the shoulder blades

Did you know that stiff/locked joints and tight muscles between the shoulder blades can cause chest pain? Pain in the upper back is a common complaint that many people experience one or more times during their lives. The pain can be in the middle of the spine, spread out like a belt between the shoulder blades, or out to one side.

About pain between the shoulder blades

If the pain in the upper back lies out to the side, it is not unusual for the pain to follow the ribs around to the chest. It is also not unusual to experience the pain spreading into the arms, shoulders and neck.

The most common cause of pain between the shoulder blades is stiff joints in the spine and reduced function in the joints between the spine and the ribs, as well as muscle spasms. Such reduced function is often called a joint lock. A neck disc prolapse can also cause pain in the upper back. Other causes are stress of both mental and physical origin, which often affects breathing so that you tense the chest. In addition, rib fractures and complications related to osteoporosis can cause pain in the chest and upper back.

Common symptoms of pain between the shoulder blades and in the chest:

  • Sharp or cramping pain located to one side
  • The pain varies with movement and position of the body (often better sitting leaning forward)
  • Worse on breathing in, on coughing or sneezing, and with neck movements
  • Difficult to find a comfortable lying position, so that it affects sleep
  • Constant ache that can last for hours or days

Chest pain should be taken seriously, and many people feel anxiety and fear with pain in the chest. You should contact a doctor or the out-of-hours medical service (legevakt) if you are unsure or have these symptoms:

  • Severe, squeezing or tightening pain in a band around the chest
  • Pain that radiates to the neck, throat, lower jaw and out into the arms, usually the left side
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Clammy, pale and/or cold sweat
  • High pulse
  • Pain that gets worse with light physical exertion
  • Angina often lasts only a few minutes, but a heart attack usually lasts more than 30 minutes and does not get better with rest

A thorough history and clinical examination are important when you come to us at Behandlerverket so that we can find out which treatment you are most likely to respond best to.

The treatment plan you receive from us aims to reduce pain and normalise mobility as quickly as possible, so that you can return to the activities you usually want to do, and preferably a little stronger and more active than before. With sharp pain it will probably include manual treatment of stiff joints and sore muscles to begin with, and exercises/training as soon as you have improved the function between the shoulder blades. We see the need for both. After all, our concept is based on easy access to treatment and exercise.