Shoulder Blade Pain: Soreness or Nerve?
Shoulder Blade Pain Radiating to Arm: Just Soreness or a Nerve Warning Sign?
In daily life, especially for those who sit for long hours or use repetitive postures, soreness around the shoulder blade area that radiates down the arm is often dismissed as mere fatigue. But did you know that these symptoms could be warning signs from your body indicating more serious underlying issues?
Shoulder Blade Pain: Symptoms and Causes
Pain, tightness, and soreness around the shoulder blade area can arise from
- Muscle Trigger Points: Specific tender spots within the shoulder blade muscles that can refer pain down the arm.
- Muscle/Tendon Tension: Muscles or tendons around the shoulder blade becoming tense, inflamed, and forming painful Trigger Points.
- Primary Causes: Often linked to prolonged sitting, incorrect posture, or in some cases, degenerative disc disease.
Warning : If the symptoms are due to a pinched nerve, do not ignore them, as this could impact arm and hand movement in the long run.
When is Shoulder Blade Pain Dangerous?
Beyond general soreness, certain types of shoulder blade pain are dangerous signs that require immediate medical attention
- Caused by Accidents: Such as a fractured or broken shoulder blade or back bones.
- Chronic, Unresolved Pain: Resulting from inflamed shoulder joint tendons or torn shoulder joint tendons.
- Acute Shoulder Blade Pain: Especially in individuals experiencing heart ischemia (lack of blood flow to the heart), pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs), or aortic dissection (tear in the aorta).
Easy Shoulder Blade Stretches (Do Daily)
Regular stretching helps reduce tension and increase muscle flexibility. Here are 3 stretches you can do:When is Shoulder Blade Pain Dangerous?
1. Interlace hands, raise arms overhead : Hold for 20 seconds, repeat 3 times.
2. Raise arm behind head, use other hand to pull across : Hold for 20 seconds, repeat 3 times.
3. Hold onto a rail or chair edge, press chest down : Hold for 20 seconds, repeat 3 times.
Treatment Approaches at Refreshy Clinic
If your shoulder blade pain doesn't improve or if there are dangerous signs, seeking expert care is crucial. At Refreshy Clinic, we offer diverse and targeted treatment approaches:
- Physical Therapy : Physical therapists will assess the cause of your symptoms and design a personalized treatment program. This may include using physical therapy modalities to reduce pain and inflammation, mobilization or manipulation techniques to restore structural balance, and teaching strengthening exercises for muscles.
- Traditional Thai Massage by Thai Traditional Medicine Practitioners : Thai Traditional Medicine doctors utilize specific massage techniques to release tight muscles, reduce Trigger Points, enhance blood circulation, and rebalance the body. Professional Thai massage can effectively relieve accumulated muscle tension from prolonged sitting.
- Acupuncture/Cupping : These complementary therapies help reduce pain, inflammation, and stimulate the flow of energy (Qi and blood) according to Traditional Chinese Medicine principles. They are effective in breaking down deep-seated and chronic painful knots.
Don't let shoulder blade pain radiating to your arm become chronic!
Understand your symptoms and seek proper care before the condition worsens!
