I have throbbing pain on my left side back near shoulder blade and chest. Also hurts when I laugh or take deep breaths. I am short winded also. Do I have gas or is it a mild heart attack?

There are various types of shoulder pain and depending upon the disorder causing it, proper treatment must be sought. Let us look at some of the different types of shoulder problems. Some of the common shoulder pain and troubles include:

• Shoulder Dislocation - One of the most frequently dislocated joints of the body is the shoulder joint, and in most cases the dislocation is caused due to a significant force impacting the joint. Any force or trauma that impacts on the joint tends to separate the ball of the shoulder joint away from the shoulder joint socket.
• Separation of the Shoulder Joint - In some cases the shoulder gets detached when the connective tissue bonded to the collarbone (clavicle) gets torn apart, or partially torn, from the shoulder bone (scapula). This particular condition is usually caused by an abrupt and forceful blow to the shoulder blade; it can also take place as a result of a heavy fall.
• Inflammation of the Shoulder known as Bursitis - Bursitis often takes place when the tendons get inflamed and due to the impingement syndrome there is inflammation caused to the bursa sacs that assist and shield the shoulder from injury or damage.
• Impingement Syndrome - An Impingement syndrome is the result of unreasonable compacting or rubbing of the rotator cuff, which is a supporting structure of the shoulder consisting of the muscles and tendons that attach the arm to the shoulder joint, and enable the arm to move. There is great pain and inflammation associated with the syndrome due to the inflamed bursas over the rotator cuff. Due to this syndrome, inflammation is also caused at the rotator cuff tendons, when the calcium deposits in the tendons start to depreciate. The impingement syndrome can cause the rotator cuff to get torn.
• Tendonitis - Shoulder Tendonitis is the result of an inflammation of the rotator cuff and the bicep tendons. This condition takes place when the surrounding structures around the tissues tart to get pinched. The condition may vary from a mild inflammation of the rotator cuff to the involvement of almost the entire rotator cuff. When the rotator cuff tendon gets inflamed and thickened, it may get trapped under the outermost point of the spine of the shoulder blade thus causing tendonitis.
• Rotator cuff Tear - when there is excessive use of the shoulders, leading to the rotator cuffs becoming inflamed or the individual experiencing either a collision or a sudden fall on the outstretched hand, a rotator cuff tear is likely to be caused.
• Frozen Shoulder - Frozen shoulder is an extremely intense and severe restrictive condition that takes place due to an injury. In most cases patients who experience the frozen shoulder syndrome are wary of exercising their shoulders and in doing so may actually cause even more inflammation and adhesions to take place between the joint surfaces, thus constraining motion.

Given the scope and types of shoulder disorders, it is essential to get the right kind of treatment dealing with the specific shoulder problem that you are experiencing with some good shoulder remedies. Your physician will be able to determine the right kind of treatment depending upon the symptoms that you experience. Treatments can range from physiotherapy, medications and drugs, complete rest, activity modification and in some cases even surgery.

answered by G M

You have mentioned that it is a throbbing pain and it hurts every time you take a deep breath or laugh but you have not mentioned how long you have been experiencing this. Did it start due to an injury or do you have any heart problems? You also have not mentioned anything about seeing a doctor. If the pain is extreme and is recurring then you should go and get a medical check up. Your doctor would probably recommend a few tests and after seeing your reports he would tell you if there is any serious problem or not. If there is anything serious then an early diagnosis and treatment would be beneficial and will help in quickly relieving your problem.

Most of the time, pain in the shoulder blade arises due to some strain or problem in the neck or spine. The muscle and bone of the shoulder blade area shares many nerve pathways as the joints of the neck. The pain in the shoulder blade is also felt when there is some problem in the upper or lower back. The shoulder blade is also known as the scapula and the pain in the shoulder blade is also sometimes called scapular pain. Shoulder blade problems are not very common and may arise due to certain bone disease like bone tumor or infection. Generally excess strain or problems in the lower part of the neck or the upper part of the back cause pain your shoulder blade. This kind of pain is also called as referred pain. Usually referred pain is felt along the inner side of your shoulder blade. If you have been doing any activity that is putting an excess amount of strain on your neck or back that might be causing the pain in your shoulder blade. In that case you should change that particular activity or avoid it for some time and see if that helps to relieve the pain. Depending on the cause and the part that is strained your doctor will recommend the treatment that might consist of anti inflammatory medicines or painkillers, acupuncture or physiotherapy. Heart attacks and sometimes coughing or laughing may cause referred pain too. After consulting your doctor you may try yoga as it helps to increase the blood and oxygen flow to each and every part of your body keeping it supple and flexible. Yoga also helps in relieving pain and stress and is great as an overall workout.

answered by G R