Pain between shoulder blades can be due to a number of reported factors. In many cases the pain occurs as a result of inflammation of the tissues near the scapulae. For instance, heavy and straining activities could take a toll on one’s muscles surrounding the shoulder blades. Many instances of such reported complaints are musculoskeletal in origin in which tendons, joints and ligaments are involved. Other cases involve infections or cancerous growths within the region.

Nevertheless, not all the pain felt around the area is where the main problem originates. There are a number of cases when patients complain of back pain between the scapulae but with no visible injury or disorder at the aching site. Such cases are often considered to be “referred pain,” in which other organs that are not located in the area result in pain in the region.

For instance, a usual cause of neck and back pain near the shoulders is herniated disc. Chronic pain between shoulder blades coupled with neck pain may be a signal of a herniated disc. The pain may radiate to the arms to the distal regions – hands and fingers. The symptoms of pain may also be associated with numbness in the scapular region and the arms. The shoulder area is prone to this disorder due to joint instability. Note that the cervical vertebral column handles some of the most demanding tasks than any other part of the human skeletal system. After a time of strenuous activities, this region could succumb to its own function. On the other hand, poor posture may bring on unnecessary strain on the shoulders and the lower neck or cervical region.

Other conditions affecting the bone (osteoporosis, arthritis, spinal disc disorders) and congenital disorders could also cause such pain in the lower cervical vertebral region.

Lifestyle could be a culprit of that disgusting pain in the back between shoulder blades. For instance, people who spend long periods in front of their computers without proper posture may succumb to that disabling back pain sometime in the future. In fact, many people suffering from the said shoulder pain have a serious posture flaw, which must be addressed through proper training and conditioning. The matter with bad posture is it is habit forming and once the wrong posture is established the muscles and bones tend to “memorize” the false musculoskeletal orientation.

Pain between shoulder blades, in a few cases, may actually be a signal of underlying problems in the adjacent organs. People with gall bladder disorder may experience the so-called “referred pain” at the spinal region between the scapulae. In more fatal cases, the pain could signal a progressing cardiac arrest. If the pain is recurring and debilitating, it is imperative that an appointment to a doctor be in order immediately.