A deep, aching pain between the shoulder blades is something many people experience – but fewer know what actually causes it. The pain can range from mild discomfort to intense and disabling, and it often has a clear muscular cause that can be effectively treated.
The muscles between the shoulder blades
The area between the shoulder blades contains a number of muscles that work hard to stabilize the shoulders and keep the spine in position. The most important ones are:
- Rhomboids – pull the shoulder blades together and hold them in place.
- Trapezius (middle part) – stabilizes the shoulder blades and upper back.
- Serratus posterior superior – a deep muscle that affects breathing and can cause deep, piercing pain.
Common causes of pain in the area
A forward-slung posture is the most common cause. When the shoulders are pulled forward – as they do when we sit in front of a screen – the rhomboids and trapezius are constantly stretched. Read more about why shoulders become tight from stress and office work .
Referred pain from the neck is another common cause. Trigger points in the neck muscles can radiate pain down between the shoulder blades – which causes many people to treat the wrong area.
Overloading one side – for example, by always carrying a bag on the same shoulder or using a mouse with one arm – can create imbalance and tension on the loaded side.
How to treat it
Trigger point therapy targeting the rhomboids, middle trapezius and deep back muscles often provides quick and noticeable relief. Book a treatment at Triggerpoint Studio – we will help you find the cause and treat it effectively.
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