Pain under left shoulder blade/stiff neck

[Tiffany Canada]

I also am a smoker and have been incountering a ton of discomfort and throbbing pain under my left shoulder blade, I also work in an office on computers 9 hours a day and was concidering the possibilities of it being work related. Has anyone found a better handle on whats going on?

[Unregistered2342423]

Im 18 and Male

I dont drink or smoke and This morning I woke up with a stiff neck and shooting pains down my left arm kinda felt like pins and needles in my arm never felt it before!

I just thought I have slept funny but all day at work its still hurting and I cant straigthen my neck it hurts too much my shoulder my neck and my arm all hurt.

when I role my head round the pain shoots down from my shoulder blade to my left arm..

Im worried

[Unregistered11]

I have been dealing with this since November ('07). Woke up one morning and the area between my shoulder blades was a little "tender". A day or 2 later and the pain was worse and now joined with a VERY sore/stiff neck. Poking around my spine I can feel a sore spot when touching it but no amount of massaging or kneading seems to help. Back cracker helps only for a day or two. I've been a good 30-40 times and see no relief in sight. No falls, no car accidents, and nothing I can imagine that would do this. Saying its depressing is a GREAT understatement. I'm a 29 yr old male in very good shape and a relatively good eater. I DO smoke but I fail to see that being the factor although I have been wrong a time or 20 in my life. Like the majority here, I am a desk jockey and will be the first to admit that I have poor posture but I just don't understand the "suddeness" of the whole thing.

[jon2121]

In a followup to a previous post in January. I stated that, at times, I wear a posture/clavicle brace . I put it on when when I use the computer, walk on on my treadmill at a higher elevation or perform any activity which causes me to reach out and bring that middle back area into play.

I mentioned finding a non-flexible, but adjustable brace on Ebay for about $12.

Since then, I found a couple that I like much better. The most comfortable one with the softest padding is from Ezywrap. They actually have four types to choose from. The straps on these braces don't have a rigid centerpiece. They have a slight give or stretch with no velcro running under the arms, making them much softer . Unless you are very large, stay away from the XLG. I ordered a LG and XLG. I have a 46" chest and the XLG is still a bit too slack at it's tightest adjustment. I have the large adjusted about midway.

The other brace is made by Scott. I found it at several places. The one with the best price was OTCRETAIL on the web or on Ebay at OTCRETAIL. Ignore the ugly green picture you see for this brace. It is all beige. It has a 1/2" velcro strip running through it which makes it more rigid. The pads are soft, cloth covered and extend 1/2" on each side. They fold over under your arm so you never feel the velcro strip. This brace runs much smaller than the Ezywrap. I have the velcro strap of a LG adjusted as far as it will go and it is still too tight. The XLG has a longer velcro strap and fits fine. It can be adjusted much smaller or larger.

These braces along with the "neck thing" I started with a chiropractor have helped me to continue working out. My RSI and pulled back muscle problems are getting better every day.

[miamisammy]

My pain started in the wrist and forearm. I thought it was a flareup of a previous Carpal Tunnel Syndrome condition since I work at the computer all day as well. I submitted a worker's compensation claim because the pain was radiating from my elbow which I overextended in an injury lifting a computer a few years ago. The Occupational Health doctor prescribed 600mg Motrin and flexing exercises for my wrist and forearm. The condition worsened, I was sent to a specialist who released me back to work so I insisted on seeing my chiropractor for treatment. By the time I got to her, the pain was shooting up my arm to my shoulder and neck extending behind my shoulder blade. During the exam, she noticed my right shoulder drop and the shoulder blade protruding. She's ordering me a posture brace. The condition was caused by poor posture when seated at the computer over many years which sounds like what most of you who posted here also have experienced. Poor body mechanics during lifting can also contribute to the condition. The tendons are pulling away from the bone causing the pain. The only treatment is to rest the affected areas, warm compresses with massage, light stretching and ultrasound, cold compresses to reduce inflammation, and use a posture or clavicle brace. For the pain, I continue to take the Motrin to relax the muscle, but extended use of Ibuprofen is bad for your liver. I ordered some Zymosine which is supposed to be a natural pain reliever. But, for now, I use aspirin and BioFreeze or some other anagesic balm to apply topically. Its a long process to recovery. Good luck to all!

[kaylisnana]

I am a 55 yo female. I have had an MRI of c spine. I have buldging disc. I have experienced severe pain/tingling in my left arm,thumb and hand. I can feel the muscles in my side and under the shoulder blade tighten up and then the pain starts along with the tingling.

I just can't believe this disc could cause so much pain. It is driving me crazy. I have had therapy but that is temporary relief.

Any suggestions?

[Unreg08]

If you do repetitive work, or ever had a RSI injury or shoulder injury or whiplash look into thoracic outlet syndrome {TOS}

do a search of the term for more info.

[Chris P.]

I've been living with this on and off for 30 years. It's always there to some degree & then the flare ups with extreme pain where I can't even turn my head and a very rigid knot along the shoulder blade. I've never gotten a diagnosis and have tried just about everything from every doctor imaginable but I have found what works for me is when it flares up I take for at least 2 days in a row massive amounts of ibuprofen & cyclobenzaprine which is a muscle relaxer. This usually eases the stiffness & helps it loosen up where I can live with it again. I'll be good again for a few months.
Also my daughter now suffers the same exact thing on the same side and my Aunt suffered the same so I tend to think whatever it is is genetic. Just my opinion.

[Squirrely1209]

Oh the pain, and I've only been dealing with it for a couple hours. I was playing with my 9 month old and made a quick look to the left. Then instant pain down my neck and in under my shoulder blade. It especially hurts when I move my head up and down. I've tried a combination of heat and ice, with some ibuprofen. I hope it goes away soon.

[UnregisteredEE]

Hello all. 25 yr old male here with the same problem over the past week and a half. Pain behind shoulder blade, in the neck, and down the arm (all left side). Went to a bone cracker and a massage therapist, both helped slightly but the pain is still there.

As a suggestion you may want to check out a place you can take lessons to learn Tai Chi or Chi Kung. Both are great for your overall health and keeping your body aligned correctly. I have a book on Chi Kung which i'm going to start putting to use, and if i have time between school and work i'm going to look into tai chi again. When i was having major problems with my back because of bulging discs and herniated discs, Tai Chi helped immensely.