How Does The Shoulder Work
Your shoulders each have two joints, making them the most flexible parts of your body.
The main shoulder joint the glenohumeral is a ball-and-socket joint. Its called this because the top of the upper arm bone the humerus is shaped like a ball. This ball fits into the shoulder blade bone, which acts as the socket, giving your shoulder a wide range of movement.
But, the shoulder socket is very small, compared to other ball-and-socket joints, such as the hip. Its held together and controlled by a covering of muscles, which are secured to the bones by strong cords called tendons.
These muscles and tendons form a capsule around the joint and support its movements, but can make it more likely to dislocate than other joints.
Inside the capsule is the synovium, which produces fluid that lubricates the joint and keeps the cartilage healthy. The cartilage helps protect your bones from any impact and sits between the bones of your shoulder joints to stop them rubbing together.
Above the main shoulder joint theres a smaller joint where the top of the shoulder blade the acromion meets the collar bone.
This is known as the acromioclavicular joint. It helps the larger joint below to move through its full range, particularly when youre raising your arm, lifting or throwing.
Is This Cause For Concern
Pain in the right side of your chest can happen for a number of reasons, but most chest discomfort isnt related to your heart. In fact, chest pain on your right side typically isnt the result of a heart attack.
Your chest is home to other organs and tissues that may be inflamed or injured, causing you to feel pain. Any aches you feel are most likely due to muscle strain, infection, stress or anxiety, or other conditions unrelated to your heart.
Keep reading to learn what that may be behind your symptoms and when you should see your doctor.
Chest pain on the left side is typically associated with a heart attack. If you feel any pain on your right side, its most likely not related to your heart.
But you should still seek immediate medical attention if you:
- have unexplained and unexpected severe chest pain
- feel pressure, squeezing, or fullness in your chest
- have severe pain shooting through your arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
- break out into a cold sweat
- feel weak, dizzy, or nauseous
- have difficulty breathing
Any of these symptoms could be caused by a serious or life-threatening condition, so you should seek urgent care as soon as possible.
An anxiety disorder or extreme stress can bring on panic attacks, which can feel very similar to a heart attack. Panic attacks can happen out of the blue or be triggered by a traumatic or stressful event in your life.
Symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks can include:
- shortness of breath
Upper Right Back Pain Under Shoulder Blade
Muscle strain, sprains, and spasms can affect the rhomboid muscles, which are located in the middle of the shoulder blades. This pain is mostly felt in the middle of the upper back, but may radiate out to one or both sides.
Pain under or near your shoulder blade can make it hard to rotate your shoulder fully, or move your arm with full range of motion. This type of pain is often caused by muscle strain, resulting from overuse. It can also happen if you sleep in an odd position, or have poor posture.
If pain in or under the shoulder blade does not dissipate with home treatment within a few days, it may also signal more serious conditions in the lungs or gallbladder.
Everything You Need To Know About Right
Doru Paul, MD, is triple board-certified in medical oncology, hematology, and internal medicine. He is an associate professor of clinical medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College and attending physician in the Department of Hematology and Oncology at the New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center.
We hear a lot about left-sided chest pain and its relationship to heart disease, but what about right-sided chest pain? What causes this symptom? And, most importantly, when should you be worried?
Can Gas Cause Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain is a common irritation to almost anyone. Some studies suggest that more than 70% of people around the world experiences shoulder pain at least once in their lifetime.
When you have pain in your shoulder, it usually comes with muscle or joint problems. In most cases, these are the reasons responsible for the pain. But sometimes it can be something else.
If you experience shoulder pain where a movement of the arms does not make any difference, then it is time to ask can gas cause shoulder pain. It may be surprising for many that gas in the gut can result in shoulder pain. But its true and you can get pain in other parts of your body too.
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Shoulder Pain As A Symptom
Unfortunately, shoulder pain related to lung cancer or mesothelioma can be very similar or identical to that of conditions such as arthritis. If you have any question at all about shoulder pain, it’s better to be safe and talk to your doctor. Yet, there are a few symptoms that make lung cancer more likely.
Symptoms that may be more concerning for lung cancer include shoulder pain that’s worse at night, pain that occurs at rest, and pain that’s not associated with any loss of motion with activity.
Shoulder pain is also more likely to be something non-skeletal if you do not recall any injury or activities in which you may have overused your shoulder.
Shoulder pain is also more likely to be a symptom of lung cancer if you have other symptoms of lung cancer, such as shortness of breath a persistent cough, wheezing, hoarseness, coughing up blood, fatigue, or if you are losing weight for no reason.
Keep in mind that the symptoms of lung cancer in women and symptoms of lung cancer in non-smokers are often less typical than those in menand sometimes very vague, such as the gradual onset shortness of breath with activity and fatigue.
Many people dismiss the early symptoms of lung cancer as being due to age-related changes in exercise tolerance, weight gain, or being too sedentary.
What Is A Gallstone
A gallstone develops when substancesincluding bileharden. This hardened mass may then block the bile duct, causing discomfort and pain.
The pain from a gallstone may be intermittent or constant, says the American College of Gastroenterology. While this pain is usually felt in the upper abdomen, it can spread to your right shoulder.
Other symptoms associated with a gallstone include sweating, nausea, and vomiting.
Some people also have chest pain that feels similar to a heart attack. If you start to experience symptoms, it is always best to err on the side of caution and contact your physician right away.
Shoulder Pain Without Injury: 6 Common Causes
Joshua M. Zimmerman, M.D. contributes to topics such as Orthopedics.
Your shoulder is killing you, but you cant think of anything you did to make it hurt.
I didnt fall.
I didnt get into a fight.
I didnt go all out at the gym.
Well, there are several conditions that cause discomfort but arent caused by a traumatic activity. How can you identify whats wrong and how to make your shoulder feel better?
Joshua Zimmerman, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon with Hackensack Meridian Health Medical Group, helps by sharing six of the most common causes of shoulder pain without injury that he sees in his patients regularly.
Pain In Right Shoulder: Causes And Treatments
Everyone knows that having pain in left shoulder can be a sign of a heart attack. So many people assume that shoulder pain in right shoulder is not really serious and does not need to be checked. But the truth is that other serious conditions are also associated with pain under the right shoulder blade.
Should Blade Pain Symptoms
If you have shoulder blade pain that persists beyond a few days it is important to make an appointment to see your doctoreven if you have participated in activities that you suspect has caused your pain. Which shoulder blade is affected is an important question, as some conditions are more likely to affect the left shoulder blade, and others more likely to affect the right.
If your pain is severe or is accompanied by symptoms of chest pain, shortness of breath, or if you simply have a sense that something serious is wrong, call 911 or your doctor immediately.
What Causes Pain Under The Breast During Pregnancy
Pain under the right breast in pregnancy is common, as the body undertakes various physical changes to prepare for the growing baby.These pains may also be caused by an increase in size of the liver, gallbladder problems, the positioning of the fetus, or the everchanging structure of the hips.
Heartburn and acid reflux are also common pain conditions during pregnancy.
As the baby grows, the diaphragm may also move upwards, placing pressure on the rib cage and causing pain under the right breast.
When To Contact A Medical Professional
Sudden left shoulder pain can sometimes be a sign of a heart attack. Call 911 if you have sudden pressure or crushing pain in your shoulder, especially if the pain runs from your chest to the left jaw, arm or neck, or occurs with shortness of breath, dizziness, or sweating.
Go to the hospital emergency room if you have just had a severe injury and your shoulder is very painful, swollen, bruised, or bleeding.
- Shoulder pain with a fever, swelling, or redness
- Problems moving the shoulder
- Pain for more than 2 to 4 weeks, even after home treatment
- Swelling of the shoulder
Symptoms Can Be Different For Men And Women
Men and women experience heart attack symptoms in slightly different ways. The main difference is how pain radiates.
- For men: Pain will spread to the left shoulder, down the left arm or up to the chin.
- For women: Pain can be much more subtle. It may travel to the left or right arm, up to the chin, shoulder blades and upper back or to abdomen . Women are also more likely to experience these accompanying symptoms: shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting and back or jaw pain. Read an in-depth overview of heart attack symptoms for women here.
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but most start slowly with mild pain and discomfort. Surviving a heart attack depends upon how well you recognize and react to these symptoms. Remember that “time is muscle.” The sooner you receive medical care, the sooner heart muscle can be saved.
What Are The Symptoms Of Trapped Gas
If you experience shoulder pain, it is a good idea to consider the symptoms of trapped gas. This will help you to determine whether the pain is due to gastric health or muscle or joint problem.
There are a few common symptoms of trapped gas that you can look for when you have left or right shoulder pain when breathing:
- Frequently passing gas
- A knotted feeling in the stomach area
- Abdominal cramping and pain
- Experiencing pressure on the abdominal region
Apart from these, you should check for the symptoms of bloating. Some people experience distention when there is too much gas in their stomach. Distention is the visible increase in your abdomens size.
Symptoms Of A Rotator Cuff Tear
Symptoms of a torn rotator cuff muscle can vary depending on which muscle you injure and how severe your injury is. The severity of the injury can vary from microtears to complete tears and can be caused by either a sudden injury or repeated stress over time. Tears from a sudden injury generally cause more intense pain.
Some of the most common symptoms include:
- pain when lying on your injured shoulder
- pain when lifting your arm or rotating at the shoulder joint
- weakness in the injured arm
- cracking or popping in certain positions
If you suspect you have a torn rotator cuff, its a good idea to avoid activities that give you pain and rest your shoulder. A doctor can confirm the diagnosis and recommend the best treatment options.
Can Gas Cause Shoulder Pain And Neck Pain
Yes, people still wonder if gas can cause shoulder and neck pain. Well, it depends on you. Some people experience shoulder pain when they have excess trapped gas in their bodies. Whereas, other complaints about pain or pressure in the chest instead.
In most cases, you experience shoulder pain when there is a problem with a muscle or joint in the area. This could be due to an injury or osteoarthritis. Lifting heavy weights, for example, can cause you to strain a muscle in the shoulder.
When gas is the cause of the pain, doctors call it referred shoulder pain. It means the shoulder pain is not caused by something in the affected area.
It is usually relatively easy to determine if the pain is referred or direct. Simply move your shoulders. If the pain is caused by any shoulder joint or muscle, then it will either get worse or better. When you do not feel a difference when moving the shoulders, then its a referred pain.
Trapped gas in the upper back is also something to consider for referred pain.
However, gas is not the only abdominal problem that can cause shoulder pain. So, can gastric cause shoulder pain too? Yes, it can.
Gallstones are a good example. The phrenic nerve runs next to the gallbladder. The nerve extends through the chest and runs up to the neck area. Gallstones cause the gallbladder to become swollen. And this can irritate the phrenic nerve. When irritated, you will feel the effects as pain on the neck and shoulders.
What Exercises Should I Do
The following exercises may help you. Ask your doctor if you should do other exercises, too. You can also try these rotator cuff exercises.
Range of motion
Stand up and lean over so youre facing the floor. Let your sore arm dangle straight down. Draw circles in the air with your sore arm. Start with small circles, and then draw bigger ones. Repeat these exercises 5 to 10 times during the day. If you have pain, stop. You can try again later.
Good posture
Having good shoulder posture can help prevent shoulder pain. Many people with shoulder pain often lift up or hunch their shoulder forward. Work on improving your posture if you find yourself slumping or hunching. Throughout the day, focus on bringing your shoulder or shoulder blade down and holding there. Another exercise is to stand against the wall with the back of your head, shoulders, legs, and heels touching the wall. Notice if your painful shoulder blade doesnt touch the wall completely. Keep trying that position throughout the day.
Upper extremity strengthening
As your pain goes away, try adding a general upper body weight-lifting program using weight machines or free weights. Lie on your right side with your left arm at your side. With a weight in your left hand and your forearm across your tummy, raise your forearm.
Keep your elbow near your side.
What Outcome Can Be Expected If I Have Shoulder Impingement
If you follow your treatment plan of rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy and cortisone injections, your shoulder may improvement in a few weeks or months. About 60% of people who follow these conservative therapies report satisfactory results within two years.
If your pain does not improve with nonsurgical treatments, surgery may be recommended.
Repetitive Strain Injury Of The Shoulder
Repetitive strain injury of the shoulder is caused by consistent repetitive use.
Rarity: Uncommon
Top Symptoms: shoulder pain from overuse, shoulder weakness, shoulder numbness
Symptoms that always occur with repetitive strain injury of the shoulder : shoulder pain from overuse
Symptoms that never occur with repetitive strain injury of the shoulder : severe shoulder pain, shoulder injury
Urgency: Self-treatment
Some Shoulder Conditions May Become More Common As You Age
You probably don’t think about your shoulders much, until you suddenly experience pain in one of them. Shoulder pain can make a simple act brushing and drying your hair, reaching behind your back to fasten a bra, or grabbing something overhead seem like a monumental task.
As you age, you’re more likely to experience shoulder pain from a variety of common conditions. “Shoulder problems are very common,” says Dr. Arun Ramappa, associate professor of orthopedic surgery at Harvard Medical School. The pain can come on gradually or abruptly, and it may range from mild to excruciating.
Below are some of the most common conditions you may encounter, and some tips for how to address them.
Four Causes Of Pain Between Your Elbow And Shoulder
Shoulder Impingement Or Painful Arc Syndrome
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that keep the upper arm bone held in the shoulder blade socket.
Pain from a problem with the rotator cuff is often called shoulder impingement. The condition causes swelling, pain or damage to the tendons of the rotator cuff. This can make it painful and difficult to move your arm properly.
You may find it painful and difficult to lift your arm away from your body, particularly if youre trying to lift your arm above your head. Your arm may feel weak or you may have a dull lingering pain in your upper arm.
Really, its nothing to do with your tendons being trapped by bones, as was previously thought. Instead, its caused by overuse or age-related problems with the tendons themselves but the name is still used. This condition can also be called painful arc syndrome.
Rest and physiotherapy are the main courses of treatment for a shoulder impingement. Your doctor may recommend an injection of steroids and a local anaesthetic, to help with the pain.
If the pain doesnt settle, or comes back within a few months of treatment, you may need keyhole surgery.
When To See A Doctor
A person who suspects they are having a heart attack should seek emergency medical attention.
People with angina may have difficulty differentiating a heart attack from an episode of angina. If symptoms persist after treatment with aspirin or nitroglycerin sublingual spray, emergency treatment is necessary.
Sports injuries, such as swimmers shoulder and RCT, may require medical attention if rest and ice do not alleviate symptoms. A doctor may prescribe pain relief and may refer the person to a physiotherapist for further treatment.
People with brachial neuritis may consult their doctor for a diagnosis and pain relief. However, there are few other treatment options available. The condition generally resolves on its own.
What Are The Symptoms Of Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
Symptoms of shoulder impingement syndrome include:
- Pain when your arms are extended above your head.
- Pain when lifting your arm, lowering your arm from a raised position or when reaching.
- Pain and tenderness in the front of your shoulder.
- Pain that moves from the front of your shoulder to the side of your arm.
- Pain when lying on the affected side.
- Pain or achiness at night, which affects your ability to sleep.
- Pain when reaching behind your back, like reaching into a back pocket or zipping up a zipper.
- Shoulder and/or arm weakness and stiffness.
Symptoms usually develop gradually over weeks to months.
Shoulder impingement is closely related to other common sources of pain in the shoulder called bursitis and rotator cuff tendonitis. These conditions can occur alone or in combination. Shoulder pain can also be a sign of a more serious injury to your rotator cuff, a small tear or hole called a rotator cuff tear. If your rotator cuff has torn completely, youll likely have significant weakness and may not be able to raise your arm against gravity. In addition, you may have a rupture of your biceps muscle tendon as part of this continuing impingement process.
Possible Causes Of Pain Under The Right Breast
Disclaimer: Results are not guaranteed*** and may vary from person to person***.
Pain under the right breast may indicate a serious medical condition, but breast cancer is not necessarily one of them. The pain may involve one of the organs such as the kidney, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, or right lung. It may also be gas or a muscle strain.
Pain under the right breast needs to be linked to the underlying cause before initiating a proper course of treatment.
The pain may be due to a preexisting medical condition; an injury; or the natural processes of puberty, menstruation, or pregnancy.
In This Article:
What That Pain In Your Shoulder Could Say About Your Gut
When you have pain in your abdomen, its hard to pinpoint its origin. It could be appendicitis, indigestion, a kidney stone, or an intense stomach ache. Because our bodies are so intricate, detailing your symptoms helps our team zero in on the problem area and get to work on a treatment thats going to alleviate your pain.
One of the biggest culprits of abdominal pain is gallbladder disease. Gallstones are the #1 gastrointestinal disorder that causes hospitalization.
Our dedicated team of doctors here at Desert West Surgery are here to answer a few questions about the gallbladder, gallstones, and why a problem with your gallbladder can affect your shoulders.
Can Your Sleeping Position Cause Shoulder Pain
Certain positions, such as sleeping on your side, can put additional stress on your shoulder. This is because when you sleep on your side, your shoulder ends up bearing a lot of the weight of your torso.
One small study in people seeking care for shoulder pain evaluated the link between sleeping position and shoulder pain. It found that 67 percent of the study participants slept on the same side that they were experiencing shoulder pain.
While your sleeping position can contribute to shoulder pain, its not the only culprit. Several other conditions, like those below, can also cause pain when youre trying to sleep. With each of these conditions, sleeping on the affected shoulder can exacerbate the pain.
Possible Causes Of Pain Under Your Shoulder Blade
Having pain under or near your shoulder bladethe triangular bone that forms the back of your shouldermay limit arm movements and interfere with daily activities. This pain can range from being sharp or burning, such as between the spine and shoulder blade, to tender or achy across the shoulder or upper back. Some possible causes of this pain are discussed below.
Watch:Causes of Upper Back Pain Video
