What is going on when that neck pain all the sudden starts to hurt by the shoulder blade? This event is much more common that people may realize.
That shoulder blade pain is often called referred pain…meaning pain that appears in a spot that it did not originate. Frequently when the muscles and joints about the neck become irritated, pain will radiate to the shoulder blade, upper trap, or arm. This is because of the high degree of interconnectedness of our body. For example, as you raise your arm up get something off a shelf, the upper trap is likely to get involved. And this upper trap muscle runs from the top of your shoulder to you neck. So as you reach and the upper trap fires, it pulls some on the neck…and there starts this irritation (in some individuals).
My doctor said it must be a disc issue that is causing the pain…
A disc could potentially be involved; as a person ages those discs in the neck do change. They shrink and that is why you are no longer as tall as when you were 18 years old. And the good news is that even when discs do change they are not likely to be the source of pain as the majority of people over 40 show signs of changes and report NO pain or symptoms whatsoever.
BUT regardless of the exact source, a successful treatment plan can be enacted. In the case of neck plus shoulder blade pain, often there is stiffness somewhere between the neck and upper back. And once this stiffness is addressed with movement (either independently or with professional help), the pain will tend to ease.
If this is what you feel, active movement is the BEST 1st choice. It is ok if it hurts some initially as it should reduce with continued movement. However, if it does not, then seeking professional guidance to learn the best movement(s) for you should be done. Very likely a neck specialist can get you moving again quickly.
Don’t know where to start? Fill out this QUICK FORM to start a conversation to learn exactly how you get start to be rid of neck pain for good.