Pain in Shoulder Blade and Neck

When you experience pain in your shoulder blade and neck, it can cause discomfort that limits your activity. You may feel the pain in the area directly under the shoulder blade, or you might feel a tight or tender spot that feels like a muscle knot. Oftentimes, these muscles become tense or tight as a result of overuse from sports or exercise such as swimming or throwing a ball repetitively. Occasionally, this muscle knot can develop as the result of an injury to the shoulder or neck.

Treatment for pain in the shoulder blade varies based on the cause of the pain, but many cases respond well to rest and over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Medications can help reduce inflammation, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), and others can block or alter the pain signals being sent to your brain.

Other treatments may include applying hot or cold compresses to the area two or three times a day. Massage or physical therapy can also reduce discomfort and restore normal movement.

Persistent shoulder blade pain that doesn’t go away on its own is usually a sign of an underlying condition, and should be examined by a doctor. They can perform a thorough physical exam and review your medical history. X-rays, blood tests, imaging studies, and heart tests may be required to determine the cause of the pain. Once a diagnosis is made, the treatment plan can vary from home care for a muscle strain to radiation or chemotherapy for cancer. pain in shoulder blade and neck