Why Does My Shoulder Blade Hurt When I Breathe?
Taking a deep breath should be something you barely notice.
So when you feel a sharp or aching sensation around your shoulder blade each time you breathe in, it can be unsettling.
There are several possible explanations. Sometimes the discomfort may be related to the muscles, joints or ribs around your upper back. In other situations, pain that becomes worse with breathing can be associated with conditions affecting the lungs, heart or other internal structures.
That is why shoulder blade pain when breathing shouldn’t automatically be assumed to be a muscle problem.
Understanding the pattern of your symptoms can help you decide when professional assessment is appropriate.
Why Can Breathing Affect Your Shoulder Blade?
Breathing involves much more than your lungs.
Every breath causes movement through your:
- ribs
- chest wall
- upper back
- diaphragm
- neck and shoulder muscles
When you take a deep breath, your rib cage expands and several surrounding structures move with it.
If muscles or joints around the upper back are irritated or restricted, this movement may reproduce discomfort.
For some people, the pain may therefore feel as though it is coming from underneath or around the shoulder blade.
Could It Be a Muscle?
Yes, particularly if the discomfort started after a change in activity.
Muscles around the shoulder blade and upper back can become irritated after activities such as:
- lifting weights
- gardening
- moving furniture
- repetitive work
- reaching overhead
- playing sport
- prolonged computer use
A strained or fatigued muscle may hurt when you move your arm, twist your upper body or take a deep breath because these movements cause the surrounding tissues to stretch or contract.
Your Ribs May Also Be Involved:
The ribs connect to the spine and move every time you breathe.
This means irritation or stiffness around the joints connecting the ribs to the spine may sometimes contribute to upper back or shoulder blade discomfort.
You may notice symptoms particularly when:
- taking a deep breath
- coughing
- sneezing
- twisting
- reaching
- changing position
A musculoskeletal assessment can help determine whether the ribs, upper back or surrounding muscles may be contributing.
Your Neck Can Sometimes Contribute:
The shoulder blade doesn’t work independently.
It is connected functionally to the neck, upper back and shoulder.
Neck stiffness or changes in movement can sometimes contribute to discomfort around the shoulder blade.
This is particularly relevant if you spend long periods:
- at a computer
- driving
- using a phone
- looking down at a screen
If your shoulder blade pain occurs alongside neck stiffness or headaches, the neck and upper back may be worth assessing.
What If It Hurts Only When You Take a Deep Breath?
This is an important detail to mention to a healthcare professional.
Pain that is specifically triggered by breathing can have musculoskeletal causes, but it can also occur with conditions affecting structures inside the chest.
For that reason, it isn’t possible to determine the cause from the location of the pain alone.
Consider the bigger picture, including whether you have other symptoms.
Don’t Just Focus on the Shoulder Blade:
Pain around the shoulder blade can be influenced by several areas working together.
An assessment may consider:
- neck movement
- upper back mobility
- shoulder movement
- rib movement
- muscle strength
- posture
- breathing-related movement
- recent physical activity
This can provide a clearer picture of what may be contributing to your symptoms.
How Chiropractic Care May Help:
If your symptoms appear to have a musculoskeletal component, chiropractic care may form part of an individualised management plan following an appropriate assessment.
Depending on your presentation, care may include:
- manual therapy where appropriate
- soft tissue techniques
- upper back and shoulder mobility exercises
- strengthening recommendations
- posture and ergonomic advice
- movement education
The aim is to address relevant contributing factors rather than assuming that every case of shoulder blade pain has the same cause.
FAQ
Why does my shoulder blade hurt when I take a deep breath?
Pain with deep breathing may be related to muscles, ribs or joints around the upper back, but it can also have other causes. Persistent or unexplained pain should be assessed.
Can a pulled muscle hurt when I breathe?
Yes. Muscles around the ribs and upper back move during breathing, so an irritated muscle may become uncomfortable when you take a deep breath.
Can poor posture cause shoulder blade pain?
Prolonged time in one position may contribute to muscle fatigue and upper back discomfort. However, posture is only one possible contributing factor.
Should I see a chiropractor for shoulder blade pain?
If the symptoms appear musculoskeletal, a chiropractor may be able to assess relevant movement and muscle factors. However, pain associated with breathing should be medically assessed urgently if it occurs with chest pain, significant breathlessness or other concerning symptoms.
When is shoulder blade pain an emergency?
Seek urgent medical attention if shoulder blade pain occurs with significant shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, coughing up blood, fainting, severe dizziness or other sudden concerning symptoms.
If shoulder blade pain is persistent, recurring or affecting your movement, book an appointment online with Wellbeing Chiropractic. With clinics across Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, our experienced chiropractors can assess potential musculoskeletal contributors and recommend an appropriate next step based on your symptoms.
