Pain in Left Shoulder Blade When Taking a Deep Breath
If you've ever felt pain in your left shoulder blade while taking a deep breath, you're not alone. Many people experience this type of discomfort, which can be very unsettling.
What causes it? It can happen for several reasons, the most common being muscle strain. However, there are more serious issues that could be contributing to your pain.
In this article, we will explain some common reasons for this type of pain in and around the shoulder blade and when it might be advisable to contact your doctor. We will also briefly look at what physical therapy in Amityville, NY, might be able to do for you if your pain persists.
Causes of Pain in the Left Shoulder Blade When Breathing
Feeling pain in your left shoulder blade when you take a deep breath can be uncomfortable and worrying. There are many potential reasons for this, ranging from something common and not concerning to serious medical problems requiring attention.
Some of the reasons why you may be experiencing left shoulder blade pain when breathing include;
Muscle Strain or Tension
The muscles supporting the rib cage, up through the back to the neck, and around to the front or shoulder area are important for smooth and pain-free deep breathing. If those muscles aren't working right, you may feel pain when you take deep breaths.
Muscle strain can occur if you have poor posture, overwork your muscles, or make sudden, twisting movements.
Rib Injury
Breathing is heavily reliant upon the proper functioning of the ribs. If one or more ribs are misaligned or injured, pain radiates through the upper back and shoulder blade, particularly when taking a deep breath. With the ribs out of place, the muscles in between get overworked during normal breathing and are now strained. Rib dysfunction can occur from a pure impact injury, twisting around the wrong way, or just sleeping awkwardly.
Lung Problems
Sometimes, pain associated with the shoulder blade upon deep breathing comes from the lungs. Certain lung conditions can cause this type of discomfort. For instance, Pleurisy is an inflammation of the lining around your lungs. This condition can cause pain that radiates to your shoulder blade whenever you breathe deeply.
Also, pneumothorax is a much more serious condition. It occurs when air escapes into the area between the lung and chest wall, partially causing the lung to collapse. The sharp pain worsens when you try to take a deep breath.
Gallbladder Problems
If you have gallstones or gallbladder inflammation, you can sometimes have referred pain in your shoulder blade, especially after eating anything fried or fatty.
Herniated Discs
A herniated disc occurs when one of the soft, gel-like discs between your vertebrae (the bones in your spine) bulges or ruptures, pressing on nearby nerves. The lower back is prone to this condition, but it can also affect the thoracic spine.
With time, the thoracic spine discs can weaken due to overuse or heavy lifting, or sudden injuries can damage them. When this happens, you can experience sharp, stabbing pain in the upper back left side under the shoulder blade and feel it when you are simply breathing.
Heart Conditions
Heart problems like angina and heart attack can cause pain that radiates to your upper back and shoulder blade. If you experience pain in your back left shoulder blade when taking a deep breath alongside chest pain, seek immediate medical attention.
Acid Reflux
Shoulder pain and acid reflux together? It’s not the most likely combination you’d think of, but in some cases, the two can be related.
Acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus and irritates its lining. This irritation can cause referred pain, meaning you can feel it in other parts of your body besides the actual source of the problem. For some people, this can manifest as discomfort in the chest, throat, and even the shoulder blades.
When to Seek Medical Attention for Shoulder Blade Pain
Shoulder blade pain can sometimes result from minor problems, but there are signs that can help indicate when it is a serious issue. You should consult a doctor if the pain persists or worsens, radiates into an arm, chest, or neck, is accompanied by numbness, tingling, or weakness, or affects your ability to breathe. If you also experience unexplained weight loss or fever with your shoulder blade pain, it is time to see your doctor.
Treatment for Pain in the Left Shoulder Blade When Breathing
After identifying the possible reasons for your shoulder blade pain, you can manage and treat it. Treatment will vary, of course, depending on the source of the discomfort. Unfortunately, that source is often quite difficult to pin down.
In the short term, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as aspirin or ibuprofen) can relieve pain and inflammation. They are useful when discomfort arises from injury to or strain of the muscles, ligaments, or tendons around the thoracic spine or shoulder blades. These medications provide temporary relief, and their benefits might be most pronounced when the pain prevents you from performing necessary movements or daily activities.
If poor posture, poor body mechanics, or muscle tension contribute to shoulder blade pain, especially when breathing, relaxation techniques might help. Learning to breathe mindfully and practicing deep abdominal inhalations instead of shallow chest inhalations can help relax the muscles around your ribcage and in your upper back.
How Can Physical Therapy Help With Shoulder Blade Pain?
Shoulder pain therapy in Merrick is a drug-free treatment for pain in the left shoulder blade. When you visit your therapist, they will examine the cause of your condition and create a tailored care plan, which may consist of the following;
Heat and Cold Therapy
If you have muscle tightness, apply a heating pad or warm compress to the area that's hurting for 15-20 minutes. If you have swelling, use an ice pack wrapped in a cloth for 10-15 minutes to reduce it, especially after an injury or flare-up.
Stretching Exercises
Stretching improves flexibility and reduces muscle tension—both can alleviate the pain between your shoulder blades. Your physical therapist might recommend stretches like the thoracic extension stretch, the child's pose, or a doorway chest stretch.
Strengthening Exercises
Strengthening exercises work with stretches. They target the muscles around your shoulder blades and thoracic spine, helping to support proper alignment and prevent future pain. During physical therapy sessions, you might do scapular squeezes, thoracic band pull-apart, or wall angels.
Postural Training
Postural training is one of the primary elements of physical therapy that addresses pain between the shoulder blades. Poor posture—for instance, when sitting or standing for long durations—can place excess stress on the thoracic spine and the surrounding muscles, leading to pain.
A physical therapist will work with you to assess your posture and guide you through exercises and techniques that help you achieve a more optimal posture. Your physical therapist may also suggest ergonomic modifications to your work or home environment to help you maintain a better posture.
Massage Therapy
Another effective treatment component for shoulder blade pain, particularly if muscle tension is involved, is massage therapy. A trained therapist can work on specific areas of tightness in the upper back and shoulder muscles to reduce tension and improve blood flow.
Conclusion
Experiencing discomfort in your left shoulder blade when taking a breath can be unsettling, but familiarizing yourself with the likely culprits can help you find the right pathway to relief. The reasons this could be happening range from basic muscle strains to more complex issues with your spine.
Thankfully, if you're experiencing persistent shoulder blade pain, physical therapy offers effective treatments like stretching, strengthening exercises, and postural training. If you're having any sort of consistent pain, it's always best to check in with Summit Physical Therapy to rule out anything more serious.