Your upper and middle back area is less prone to trouble than your lower back. That’s because it doesn’t bear as much of the load of your body’s weight and work as your lower back does. But this area, which runs from the base of your neck to the bottom of your rib cage, can still be a source of
pain. You have 12 vertebrae in your upper and middle back. You may hear a doctor refer to them as T1 through T12. The T stands for “thoracic.” Between the vertebrae are spongy discs. You might think of them as shock absorbers for your body. They cushion the bones when you move around. Ligaments and
muscles hold the spine together. The entire area is called the thoracic spine. It works with your ribs to keep your body stable and protect vital organs such as your
heart and lungs. Pain in your upper and middle back may be described as: There
are any number of reasons your upper and middle back can hurt. Strain or injury to the muscles and ligaments that support your spine is sometimes the problem. This can come from overuse. You might also have poor posture. When you sit, try to keep your shoulders
back. When you stand, try to keep your back as straight as possible and your weight evenly placed on your feet. Other possible causes include: Several factors can increase your chances of having
upper and middle back pain. Among them: If you’re like most people with upper and middle back pain, you’ll be able to manage your symptoms at home. Over-the-counter pain relievers, heat, or ice may be enough to ease your condition. You should call your doctor, though, if your pain becomes too intense or starts to keep you away from your daily activities. Certain symptoms require fast attention. They include: Having pain under or near your shoulder blade—the triangular bone that forms the back of your shoulder—may limit arm movements and interfere with daily activities. This pain can range from being sharp or burning, such as between the spine and shoulder blade, to tender or achy across the shoulder or upper back. Some possible causes of this pain are discussed below. 1. Poor posture
 Video: Upper Back Pain CausesPoor posture may cause structural changes to the spine, leading to upper back pain including pain under the shoulder blade. Watch Now Prolonged sitting with poor posture may cause your spine to undergo structural changes that eventually cause pain underneath the shoulder blade. Hunching your back, tilting your head down, or sitting to one side—while working behind a desk or reading from a cell phone, for example—can weaken your muscles and place pressure on spinal discs, muscles, and ligaments. This routine imbalance can contribute to upper back pain. See Posture to Straighten Your Back advertisement Infographic: 7 Causes of Pain Under Your Shoulder Blade (larger view) 2. Improper lifting techniqueLifting weight above your head without proper technique can leave your upper back and shoulders susceptible to injury. If you lift an object that is too heavy, or if the object is held away from the body with the spine misaligned, you can place undue pressure on your upper back. Lifting objects overhead that are too heavy can strain muscles or sprain ligaments, or potentially injure the shoulder joint or spine, which could refer pain under or near the shoulder blade. See Avoid Back Injury with the Right Lifting Techniques 3. OverusePainting a ceiling, helping a friend move furniture, or participating in a softball league are all examples of activities that can put your upper back and shoulders through more work than they’re used to doing. Overuse can lead to muscle strains and ligament sprains, which can cause pain in the upper back, such as between your shoulder blade and spine. Another example is scapulothoracic bursitis, also called snapping scapula syndrome, in which the bursa between the shoulder blade (scapula) and thoracic spine becomes inflamed and painful from overuse or injury. In This Blog Series:4. Cervical herniated disc
Video: Cervical Herniated DiscA cervical herniated disc occurs when the inner portion of a disc in the cervical spine—or neck—ruptures through the outer wall of the disc. Watch Now A herniated disc in the cervical spine (neck) occurs when a disc’s outer layer (annulus fibrosus) tears and the inner layer (nucleus pulposus) starts to leak outward. A disc herniation can cause pain and may inflame a nearby nerve root that radiates pain down into the shoulder, arm, and/or hand. A disc herniation in the lower cervical spine is more likely to radiate pain into or near the shoulder blade area.1 While less common, it’s also possible for a disc herniation in the thoracic spine (upper back) to cause pain near the shoulder blade. See Cervical Herniated Disc Symptoms and Treatment Options 5. Dislocated ribWhile less common, a rib may pop out of place or become misaligned after repetitive strain or reaching for an item overhead. Sharp pain near your shoulder blade can result from this activity, and it can sometimes make it difficult to take a deep breath. advertisement 6. Heart conditionSome heart conditions can present as pain in the shoulder blade region. For example, aortic dissection is a serious, life-threatening condition that occurs when the heart’s largest artery gets a tear and may cause severe pain that can move under or near the shoulder blade.2 A heart attack may also present as pain felt in the upper back and/or shoulder, especially in women. 3 7. Compression fracture
Video: Spinal Compress FracturesCompression fractures occur most often in the thoracic and lumbar sections of the spine and can be caused by traumatic injury or as a result of osteoporosis. Watch Now A compression fracture is when a vertebral bone (typically in your upper back) weakens and compresses, causing back pain that feels better with rest or is sensitive to the touch. Compression fractures are most commonly caused by osteoporosis in older adults. See When Back Pain Is a Spine Compression Fracture This list of possible reasons for the pain underneath your shoulder blade is not exhaustive, but hopefully it gives you a helpful starting point on the journey to relief. Any back or shoulder pain that lingers a few weeks or interferes with daily activities should be evaluated by a doctor. If your pain is severe or accompanied by other red flag symptoms—such as headache, tingling, weakness, or nausea—seek immediate medical attention. Learn more:Diagnosing Upper Back Pain Relieving the Pain Under Your Shoulder Blade References
How do I know if my upper back pain is serious?When should I call my healthcare provider if I have upper back pain?. Your upper back pain doesn't improve after a week.. You develop any tingling or numbness in your legs or buttocks.. You have severe pain or muscle spasms.. You develop new symptoms such as fever, weight loss or bowel or bladder problems.. Why does the middle of my back hurt between my shoulder blades?A dull ache between the shoulder blades, often referred to as interscapular pain, is fairly common. In most cases, this pain is a result of muscle strain brought on by poor posture or by sitting and standing in an uncomfortable position for a long period of time.
What does pain between shoulder blades indicate?Poor posture, injury, or problems with the spine can all lead to upper back pain. A common cause of pain between the shoulder blades is muscle strain. Treatments for mild upper back pain include stretching exercises and pain relievers. Some cases of pain between the shoulder blades are preventable.
When should I worry about upper mid back pain?In most cases, upper back pain is not a cause for worry; however, it can be uncomfortable, painful, and inconvenient. Furthermore, if pain develops suddenly and is severe—such as from an injury (eg, fall)—and, certainly if pain and symptoms (eg, weakness) progressively worsen you should seek medical attention.
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When should i worry about upper back pain between shoulder blades
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