Sounds like a pinched nerve. If Asprin, Muscle Relaxers, and anti inflamitories don't work (like for me). I got my pain riding my bike 15 miles a day for two years. Now I can bearly drive and have a terrible time sleeping due to the pain. Nothing over the counter really helps.
This sharp pain under my left shoulder wakes me up every night now. It feels just like a hot knife. Been through the standard tests and therapy for two months now. Latest diagnosis is arthitis in neck. Running out of pain pills!
I too suffer from this horrible pain. It started about 4 months ago, and at first it was a very dull pain that I thought was caused from sleeping wrong. A few hours into the day I turned wrong and the pain exploded with only a few positions I could be in that didn't hurt. Went to the ER and was told I had pericarditis. I went to a cardiologist who told me that I was very obviously misdiagnosed, and that it was simply back pain. The sharp pain went away after about a day, but I always have a dull pain slightly under my left shoulder blade and if I turn to quickly or sharply the pain gets really bad. Today it has flared up again, and the pain is excruciating. It's disheartening to see so many people have this problem without a diagnoses :-(
Get the book "Structural Yoga Therapy"--it describes the relationships between the various muscles in your body and what happens when they become imbalanced. I've had severe knee pain for several years and yoga and strength training have done wonders.
I too have just started to get this shoulder pain. I had read the various posts and a few of the things mentioned could be related. Firstly, I have just got back to work (secretary, typing all day.) after over 2 weeks off during Xmas..that could have something to do with it. Also, I had a bad spate of cold/flu and was taking my asthma meds again after months off it, that could have something to do with it. I too find it very difficult to inhale and it is excruciating. I had this a while back, but it has returned. It could also be a reaction to the asthma drugs after so long off them. Also for years as a woman who wore her handbag over her left shoulder for years, it could be a bit of RSI...It's strange how we are all experiencing left shoulder syndrome. I too was quite worried the other morning, it came on literally in an instant and it really takes you aback and you do get worried. I happened again on the train this morning but what I did was not get as worried and told myself it was not serious and it did go away.
It's good to know we are not alone
It's good to know we are not alone
I have had this pain for almost 3 months now...sometimes it is one shoulder some times it is both...my mom thinks it is muscle strain since I lift boxes all day and it occurs mostly in the evening...but it sometimes effects my breathing and makes me cough...I don't know its rather scary...the pain is so horrible I don't know what to do sometimes :-(
I have been experiencing the same left shoulder blade pain, but I also have pain, numbness and tingling in my left arm and fingers. I to have seen numerous doctors, had EKGs, EMG, X-rays, and MRIs been prescribed all kinds of pain meds and none work. There has to be a connection here...what about the medicines that you currently take. I currently take Plavix, Lipitor, Coreg CR and an aspirin daily.
I, too, suffer from awful shoulder pain. I am only 22 years old and have been living with it for 3 !/2 years now. Doctors say i have a bursitis, a muscle inflammation caused by repetitive motion. I've tried everything; physical therapy, chiropractic, cortisone shot in my bursa, lidicane injections and even acupuncture. NOTHING worked or even suppressed the pain for more than a few days. I cannot type or even dry my hair for more then a few minutes. I am actually scheduled for surgery on May 20th. I hope this isn't your case but it is a good thing to bring up. Good luck!
I too am suffering from the pain in my back and left shoulder blade. It seems to be inside, between shoulder blade and rib cage with radiating pain in multiple directions. The pain progressed into my thoracic area and now that pain causes more pain than the initial shoulder issue. Also at the top and front side of my shoulder near my clavical theres an uncomfortable motion it seems to be stuck in. I can't figure it out but for some reason my left shoulder just won't move in some directions my right will.
The pain has been coming and going for 4 years or so, with good and bad times. I always feel better after a work out, but it's short lived and usually more intense afterwards. I've been researching plenty of possibilities, and everyone says not to use the internet to self diagnose but when the doctors can't come up with an answer, or refuse to look hard enough...what are we to do?
Here's some leads that aren't exactly my problem, or I haven't been tested yet, that may help some of you.
-Pre frozen/frozen shoulder
-Connective Tissue Disorder/disease
-Motor vehicle accident where a seat belt restrained you - strapped across shoulder in pain. (most likely the cause of my pain as I was in a 85mph accident with the seatbelt being the only thing keeping me in the car)
-Scoliosis
-Other chiropractic reverseable issues, IE bad matress, posture etc.
I'll be consulting with my chiropractor tomorrow, who has resolved all of my other spinal allignment issues but this one seems to be beyond his methods, about seeing an orthopedic specialist. If the specialist can give me some answers, I'll be sure to come back and post them.
Take care.
Shane
The pain has been coming and going for 4 years or so, with good and bad times. I always feel better after a work out, but it's short lived and usually more intense afterwards. I've been researching plenty of possibilities, and everyone says not to use the internet to self diagnose but when the doctors can't come up with an answer, or refuse to look hard enough...what are we to do?
Here's some leads that aren't exactly my problem, or I haven't been tested yet, that may help some of you.
-Pre frozen/frozen shoulder
-Connective Tissue Disorder/disease
-Motor vehicle accident where a seat belt restrained you - strapped across shoulder in pain. (most likely the cause of my pain as I was in a 85mph accident with the seatbelt being the only thing keeping me in the car)
-Scoliosis
-Other chiropractic reverseable issues, IE bad matress, posture etc.
I'll be consulting with my chiropractor tomorrow, who has resolved all of my other spinal allignment issues but this one seems to be beyond his methods, about seeing an orthopedic specialist. If the specialist can give me some answers, I'll be sure to come back and post them.
Take care.
Shane
does any of u feel that its a problem with the spine? i am suffering from the same problem, with pains around/on my shoulder blade when i take a deep breath etc... However, my spine isnt straight like other people, instead it is slanted to one side. My shoulder blades are also nt symetrically align, like one is high above the other...
THIS MAY HELP A LOT OF YOU WITH SIMILAR ALL AROUND GENERAL SHOULDER PAIN AND TROUBLE!
I was diagnosed with SICK SCAPULA, even my physical therapist said few dr's will diagnose it.
Seek a very experienced physical therapist. I've been through 3-4 sessions and some 2 weeks of "homework" execises and I've already seen great improvement.
I hope this helps some of you!
Shane
I was diagnosed with SICK SCAPULA, even my physical therapist said few dr's will diagnose it.
Seek a very experienced physical therapist. I've been through 3-4 sessions and some 2 weeks of "homework" execises and I've already seen great improvement.
I hope this helps some of you!
Shane
I have been have similar problems, I went to an ortho docotor, had xrays, and was told I had Ahesive Capulitius. (frozen shoulder) the right should seems to have "healed" but now it is starting in my left. I didn't feel as if I lost range of motion except when the pain was SO intense it sent me to the ER. This one in my left, now, feels like it is under my shoulder blade. We do not have insurance, so I am trying to study it on the net first. any suggestions? THANKS!
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My shoulder blade area is killing me too. I am a hairstylist so I think this comes with the occupation,,,,,but lately that area hurts when I swallow food. Anyone else have that?
I fell about 2yrs ago on a wet floor and landed on my tail bone. Unfortunatley it was only 3 or 4 months after give=ing birth to my first child. Since then I've been getting the shoulder blade pain that spreads though my back and neck mostly on the left side. It makes it almost impossible to look over my left shoulder. Now with my second child Im finding it hard to even hold my 6month old! This is a serious problem for me, being a single mom... I can't afford the chiro's and neurolagist. However I do find it ever such a slight and temporary reliefe to do what Yoga instructors would call the"CAt" pose, when you elongate your entire spine tucking your head under chin to chest. I have an exercise bal that I will be trying next but I have to go b/c the pain of typing this msg is excrusiating...not to mention I had to stand up just to finish typing.... Hope the yoga helps!!! God bless you ALL and I hope this pain is soon relieved for us ALL!!!
I am experiencing bad pain under my right scapula which feels like a stabbing sensation when I move in certain ways. I also feel it when I cough or sneeze on some occasions. Overstretching is the culprit,I believe. I enjoy doing standing sidebends with my arms alternately reaching above my head. This repetitive stretch is what I think has strained a ligament or tendon. As was mentioned by somebody earlier,it seems to ease when I swim and even if I do light weightlifting with restrictions. But I too,as is the case with an earlier writer,pay the price afterwards when hours later it hurts even worse. Usually,when something is painful,it hurts to exercise.but with this injury I feel better--- until I end up feeling worse. It's crazy!.
I get massages which seem to help,but the pain continues. I don't take pain medication because I only have pain with certain movements. I am guessing total rest might be best,but I don't know. The exercise which a blogger mentioned about sitting on a chair with a ball against the back of the chair and squeezing the shoulder blades together---yes,this seems to help!
I think the repeated injury to this area builds scar tissue which is the way the body protects itself. But scar tissue tightens the ligament/tendon stretch,so it is prone to further injury. The continual buidup of scar tissue results in pain when there is even moderate stretch. It becomes a terrible cycle of injury-reinjury. I also know that the shoulder construct gets less blood flow than a number of other body parts,resulting in less heat,oxygen,other nutients,and depletion(exchange of used nutrients). I also think aging and years of exercise make one more prone to shoulder injury. I am not a physician,but I've read a number of pieces about shoulder injury.
It's tough to decide the best course of action. Perhaps total rest;perhaps light exercise,eliminating any painful movements;perhaps stepping up acupressure and general massage treatments;perhaps eventually an MRI. I don't know. FRUSTRATING!!! I am a 66 year-old male who has exercised for so many years.
The process of being forced to s l o w d o w n is aggravating,to say the least. The aging process hits us in varying ways. Exercise is one of them,unfortunately.
I get massages which seem to help,but the pain continues. I don't take pain medication because I only have pain with certain movements. I am guessing total rest might be best,but I don't know. The exercise which a blogger mentioned about sitting on a chair with a ball against the back of the chair and squeezing the shoulder blades together---yes,this seems to help!
I think the repeated injury to this area builds scar tissue which is the way the body protects itself. But scar tissue tightens the ligament/tendon stretch,so it is prone to further injury. The continual buidup of scar tissue results in pain when there is even moderate stretch. It becomes a terrible cycle of injury-reinjury. I also know that the shoulder construct gets less blood flow than a number of other body parts,resulting in less heat,oxygen,other nutients,and depletion(exchange of used nutrients). I also think aging and years of exercise make one more prone to shoulder injury. I am not a physician,but I've read a number of pieces about shoulder injury.
It's tough to decide the best course of action. Perhaps total rest;perhaps light exercise,eliminating any painful movements;perhaps stepping up acupressure and general massage treatments;perhaps eventually an MRI. I don't know. FRUSTRATING!!! I am a 66 year-old male who has exercised for so many years.
The process of being forced to s l o w d o w n is aggravating,to say the least. The aging process hits us in varying ways. Exercise is one of them,unfortunately.