Scapular Pain Treatment in Ballantyne
That deep ache between your shoulder blades shows up by mid-afternoon and follows you home. Massage, heat, and stretching may help for a while, only for the same tight spot to return the next day. When scapular pain keeps coming back, there may be more to consider than the muscles alone.
Why the Muscles May Be Only Half the Story
At Ritchie Chiropractic & Wellness, the evaluation looks beyond the sore spot to consider what may be keeping it irritated. Restricted movement in the mid back, a shoulder injury, posture, or an issue higher in the neck may all be worth evaluating.
Dr. Ritchie also considers whether upper cervical positioning may be affecting posture. The body’s righting reflex works to keep the eyes level, so changes higher in the neck may be accompanied by compensatory changes through the shoulders and upper back.
How Desk Days and Workarounds Add Up
Small, repeated strains can add up over time. Factors we consider include:
- Hours at a computer with the shoulders rounded and head forward
- Using a mouse with the same arm for much of the day
- Past falls, sports injuries, or car accidents
- Avoiding overhead movements because they hurt
As the head moves farther forward, the upper back muscles have to work harder to hold that position. Over time, repetitive movements and prolonged postures can also create muscular imbalances from one side of the body to the other.
When That Ache Won’t Stay Gone
Some people notice a persistent tight or burning spot along the inside of one shoulder blade. Others see that one shoulder sits higher than the other or find certain movements becoming harder to perform.
Dr. Ritchie also looks for symptoms elsewhere, including neck discomfort, headaches, or numbness and tingling into the arm or hand. These findings can provide clues about which areas need a closer look.
If pain is changing how you work, exercise, or move through your day, it’s worth finding out why rather than continuing to work around it.
Looking Beyond the Spot That Hurts
Your evaluation doesn’t stop at your shoulder blade. Dr. Ritchie examines the entire spine, including the neck, mid back, lower back, and pelvis. He also looks at posture, shoulder and scapular positioning, spinal movement, and signs of a previous injury.
Those findings help determine whether the problem appears to be primarily around the shoulder or mid back, involves the upper cervical spine, or has more than one component.
When indicated, X-rays can provide additional information about spinal positioning and help guide recommendations. Rather than treating every case the same way, your care is based on what your history and examination show.
Care Based on What Your Examination Finds
Depending on your findings, care may include chiropractic adjustments, Atlas Orthogonal care, work on scapular positioning, and attention to the surrounding muscles. MLS laser therapy is also incorporated into patient care at the practice. It may be used with the aim of addressing pain and inflammation and assisting tissue recovery.
The goal is to address the areas that may be affecting how your neck, upper back, shoulders, and surrounding muscles are functioning so you can work toward moving more comfortably again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does massage only provide temporary relief?
Can my neck really be related to pain between my shoulder blades?
Stop Working Around Your Shoulder Blade Pain
You shouldn’t have to keep skipping movements or reaching for a massage gun every evening. Reach out to Ritchie Chiropractic & Wellness to book an appointment and take a closer look at what may be contributing to your scapular pain.
