Severe burning pain around right shoulder blade, what could it be?

Hi Shari k,

I do not think an XRay will answer your questions. You need to ask for an MRI to actually show how your disks may be infringing upon your nerve. I had XRays at first and that just wasted money and I thought there was nothing really wrong and settle with the insurance company only to find our through an MRI that my disks were herniated and pressing on my spinal nerve.

Just my thoughts. But it does sound like you may have some buldging disks or at least one putting pressure on your nerve which in turn can cause any and all of your symptoms. Read more of the posts in here and please make sure to read the one I just put on here about only hearing bad things in here. I think everyone needs to think possative and hope for the best.

Good Luck,
Rob

:cry: :cry:
I have had pain in my right shoulder, both sides of my neck, and right side of my lower back. My c-5,6, and 7 disc in my neck are herniated. I have fibromyalgia (that came recently) that effects other parts of the body. I keep getting a burning in my right shoulder blade. Under the blade, there is a knot there my husband said, and when I breath in it hurts a lot more. PT is worthless! My husband rubbing at home feels awesome until he stops then it gets worse! I take Roxicodone 3times a day for pain. To be honest it doesn't a lot anymore. Believe me it takes the buring edge off but I am still in pain everyday. I had to stop being a nurse and go back to school. Now I in school to be an attorney, and I work as a Paralegal, very different direction...Does anyone have any excersises I can try to ease the pain and stretch?

Hi

Approx 23 years ago I experienced a cramp in the middle of my left shoulder which then radiated across tomy spine and down my back to the base of my shoulder blade. It started as tension in my shoulders. This came about from data entry without the correct ergonomic furniture and having to rush to meet deadlines. I gave up my job using computers and data entry. This lasted about 4 - 5 years.

In 2005 the same thing occurred win my right shoulder. The doctors are now saying that it is from deterioration of the bones, because of my age. However, I was doing data entry to meet deadlines on workstations that did not have the correct ergonomic furniture as well as working with some very rude people.

There is scientific evidence to show that stress/tension causes calcium to seep from the bones and forms acid in the system. This can cause osteo. But of course the doctors don't believe in this.

I went to a pain management clinic, and one of the best exercises for me was to lie face down on the floor and bring your shoulder blades together without moving your shoulders. This takes the pressure off the muscles around your shoulder blades and helps strengthen the muscles. Also, I requested that the doctor do a Vit D, Calcium and magnesium deficiency test which showed I was lacking in all three. (The doctors don't seem to think of doing this themselves - all they are worried about is getting paid for the visit).

Hi
New to this and hope someone can help. Experiencing severe pain in right shoulder for about 12 months. Problem is when it goes into a spasm it also affect my arms and right across my chest. Breathing is not affected but the pain stops me in my tracks. Had all the usual tests - ECG, x-ray and even an MRI scan on neck as Dr said it was a trapped nerve. All results showed nothing. Had treatment from chiro and PT - PT did have some results but pain has never completely gone away. Does anyone out there have an idea what this might be and does anyone have the same pain across the chest.
Any answers would be appreciated as my Dr is now convinced that I am depressed (who isn't when there is continual pain) and I'd like to get ack to a normal life.

hello everyone,

i have similar symptoms of AmieRenee..first it starts at my shoulder blades then it goes to my neck then sometimes i can feel numbness on my face but not too much.. then i can feel heavy on my whole right shoulder. i dont know either what this is..but it worries me..
when i cook that uses my right arm a lot then in the evening its very painful that i cant concentrate.
i was thinking that it could be from my scoliosis or from my sleeping posture which is i really like to sleep on my right side. i've never been to a doctor to check my shoulder because im afraid that it might be very very bad. now i was thinking that it could be RSI..because i am sitting in front of my computer a lot..then before i had this job, i use to work in a bank which also uses 100% of my right arm..counting money,typing number keys, writing numbers,using adding machine..for "more" than 8 hours a day..5 times a week.

I experienced the same type of pain several months back - a constant burning sensation in my right shoulder scapula area that pain relievers nor BenGay seemed to help (which is how I found this site – after several weeks, I was desperate to find out what was going on and how to fix it). After thought, I realized that I had spent, not too long prior to the time this started, several weeks inputting data entry into my computer for up to 8 hours or more a day (something I did not usually do). I believe this repetitive action likely brought on this pain. However, I went to my dr. to rule out something more serious – he agreed with my “diagnosis” and told me I should put a hot pad on it several times a day (which helped a little, but not much). The first thing I did was stop using the computer like I had been, taking long breaks during the times I was using the keyboard/mouse and trying to keep my right elbow in toward my waist, resulting in less movement of that arm when I used the two. Then a nurse friend of mine suggested the following exercises – I found that doing them in the hot shower every day really helped and, after a few weeks, the pain is nearly totally gone:
• The YES-NO-MAYBE exercise: Keeping your shoulders squared, with the hot shower water hitting the area that is painful, slowly shake your head in an exaggerated “Yes” motion, with your chin pointed toward the ceiling and then down to your chest. Do this 3-6 times, slowly. For the “no” motion, slowly move your head, eyes straight ahead, from one shoulder to the other, again in an exaggerated, slow-motion right to left, left to right movement. Do 3-6 times. For the “maybe”, keeping your eyes straight ahead, shrug your shoulders in a slow, exaggerated manner. Again, repeat 3-6 times.
• The second exercise is to extend your right arm over your head and left shoulder (like you were a ballet student!). Hold that for a few seconds and repeat with the left arm. Do that movement several times.
• The third exercise is to bend at the waist and drop the arm of the shoulder that is bothering you limply in front of you. With small concentric circles, keeping the arm relaxed and letting the shoulder joint do the work, make an ever-widening circle. Then make the circles smaller until the arm is back at the beginning point. Now do the entire thing again, but in a backwards movement. If, at any point, any of these exercises start to hurt, stop at that point and continue the exercises only as far as they are comfortable (you will likely find that “comfort zone” increases with time).
• Lastly, give yourself a hug for a job well done – cross your arms in front of you, with your right hand on the left shoulder and the left hand on the right shoulder – hold that “stretch” for several seconds, letting the hot water slosh over your back and shoulder area.
The YES-NO-MAYBE exercise can be done any number of times per day just about anywhere you are (watching TV, reading, etc.). If your pain is caused by some repetitive type of issue like mine was, I believe that these exercises, after several weeks, will really help – but only if you change the behavior that originally caused the pain. I still have twinges if I spend too much time at the computer, but nothing like the constant burning I had for several weeks. And, though I don’t have the pain now, just to keep everything limber, I still do the exercises every day. Good luck and I hope that this helps!

I have the same pain! Help us!
Did you ever figure it out I too have had many tests!

I have the same pain under my right shoulder blade. I think I have worked out how the pain is cause as it only flares up when I'm using the computer frequently and for a long time:

I am right handed, and as I have a laptop I sit lower than I would at a normal computer as I don't like looking down at the screen. However I find that this means my arms are squished on the table. For some reason I hold myself up on the desk with my right elbow because I don't have enough space between my arms and the table. Subsequently I tense the whole area around my right shoulder blade continuously for hours, as it keeps me propt up.

I've recently raised my chair a lot higher, so that my arms just comfortably hang, rather than putting all my weight onto my elbow. Now I have a straight back posture, and a 90 degree angle between my forearm and upperarm. The pain hasn't completely gone yet, but I can feel as I'm typing now, my muscles under my shoulder blade feel a lot more relaxed.

I hope this might help some of you out - raise your chair and stop leaning on your elbow!

I have the same burning pain in my left shoulder blade. It started a few months ago. I also work on the computer all day and I am an online college student. I stretch and try to take breaks often from the computer. This helps some, but not alot. I have not gone to the doctor because my sister has had horrible experiences with this same thing. I will start light weight lifting to strengthen my back muscles and see if this helps.

Hi,
I have been reading all these posts. And some of the cases I see that you guys tried so many things, even surgery, without effect. I am in no way trying to sell anything here, this is not a spam. I really recommend you take a look at one of Dr. E Sarno's books. Specially if you tried different treatments and nothing worked.
Regards

Unfortunately there are a lot of people in pain, and the use of pain medication is very frowned on by doctors. That is doctors that have not experienced this kind of pain. I have been having pain in my shoulder, behind the shoulder blade, radiating up into my neck. I must be very strong in saying that pain medications, such as narcotic pain killers can be used. These should be as a last resort to the other treatments here. No one should have to suffer just because their doctor never has suffered. Find a doctor that will help you with pain medications, but I want to even be stronger here. Pain medications, such as narcotics can become habit forming. What doctors don't know is that these medications can be taken safely for years, if you don't take them daily, or even every other day. You should use the medication with rest and heat and there are some days that you will have to endure the pain. If you start taking narcotic pain medication, and feel the need to increase the dosage, or feel the need to take it, to keep the pain from coming on, that is a sign of dependency. You will need to back off a bit.
Most doctors will prescribe pain meds, if they understand pain. Some won't and you will need to find a doctor that is sympathetic to your pain. Remember this is your pain, and you have the right to get relief. You also need to have a doctor that will help you to control the meds to not get dependent on them, but have the ability to use them responsibly.
good luck

i have had the pain under my right shoulder blade for like 5 years now.I have also tried everything. everything as far as to have spine fused together. the only thing that helps is for me not to type on a computer and not to write much.. I do most things left handed now, including writing.. i can work out as much as i want as long as i dont work out my back or type or write. very frustrated . I started the injury by tearing the muscle in my mind back and shoulders. im 30 200 pounds very athletic and very good posture now. deep tissue massages helped me the most.

I had shoulder pain that can be so severe I end up just nearly in tears with it and I have had clients with frozen shoulder. I'm a massage therapist. One of the problems that I have been reading in the post is that the muscles that are affected are not being addressed. Many PT can't massage the way massage therapist can or they do not work on the correct muscles. Most of the muscles affected are the rotator cuff muscles in particular the subscapularis.

When I have pain in my shoulder the first thing I do is ice the shoulder down. It's in pain because there is inflammation. The next thing I do is treat it with magnetic therapy. I use a magnetic field generator, but any therapeutic magnet will work.

Why is this effective? It is because many of the issues with shoulder pain, tendonitis, frozen shoulder, torn ligaments is because of the healing process. Inflammation is present and the area needs blood flow and the muscle needs to relax. It's contracted and stuff and stiff. Magnets help increase blood flow a lot faster than ice can.

I would not know what to do if I did not have my magnet. The pain is terrible. Yes I've been there. It hurts to do laundry, to fold sheets, dishes, type, and it pulls your hold body down. I end up weak and tired and I just want to lay down. But laying down will not fix it.

After the pain is gone or subsided, you MUST work on the muscle. This is only after the area has healed. You must start an exercise regimen. The muscle is weak and overused and that's why the pain started in the first place.

Sterioid injections, epidurals, etc only is a temporary fix. I don't have a med degree but I know enough about muscles and pain to know that stopping the symptoms doesn't mean you actually fix what is going on.

Surgery is only successful some of the time. Most of the time, scar tissue comes back and causes the area to become stiff a few years later. It all depends on how you heal.

I've written extensively about shoulder pain and magnet therapy. You do have natural remedies because pain drugs. You can't juts mask the symptoms. It's like have a dirty room. If you close the door you can't see the mess but it's still there. Same with your muscles, just because you take drugs it doesn't fix the problem, it just gives you some relief.

You can check out my site at magnetic-therapy-living.com/shoulder-pain.html

Contact me if you have questions.

AmieRenee I have the exact same EXACT problem with my shoulder. Same place, same burning pain, same weird numb feeling when you press the one spot. It's weird because it kind of hurts and feels good at the same time, but at the same time it feels dead/numb, like i keep telling my boyfriend to press even harder there cause I can't feel it enough. I think it has to do with my posture because when I sit at the computer for long periods of time it gets a lot worse. If you ever find out what it is PLEASE share it with others!!! THIS SUCKS!

Several months back, I collided head first with a sliding glass door in my home, hitting quite hard as I barrelled my way forward. I was not prepared for the collission, as I thought the door was open. Since that time, I have had an almost constant burning sensation in my neck/upper back, on the left side between my shoulder blades. Whether sitting or standing, I have this burning sensation. At work, I am on my feet the entire day, and the pain and burning increases over the course of the day. I am on pain meds for lower back pain due to arthritis and bulging disks and for pain related to two right shoulder surgeries. Currently, I am taking 20mg OxyContin, with 10/325mg Percocet for breakthrough pain. The meds have been effective for my lower back pain, but only somewhat effective for my shoulder pain, which, I have found out, will be requiring a third surgery. However, the pain meds have absolutely zero effect on the burning pain in my neck/upper back. As time progresses, I have had an increase in pain. I am beginning to look for alternatives for treating my neck/upper back. I am leaning towards chiropractic treatment. Has anyone had a similar issue and successfully found a way to treat it?