What Causes Shoulder Pain Radiating To The Chest?

Posted on Wed, 30 Aug 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 30 Aug 2017 Answered on

Thu, 21 Sep 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I've been experiencing pain that starts in my shoulder blades then radiates to my chest. It isn't constant and I wear an I-watch that monitors my heart rate. Any thoughts? I am very active and work out 5-6x/week with no pain during exercise at all.

Answered by Dr. Klarida Papaqako (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Most possible a muscular pain due to posture and not proper exercising.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thank you for using Healthcaremagic to post your health query.
I read carefully your question and I understand your concern.

From the location of pain and the way you are describing it, I would think that the pain you have is related to your posture and not proper exercising.
My recommendation is to watch your posture, use Ibuprofen 400mg 3 times/day for 1 week and also use local analgesic and massage gently.
If not better, then you may need a physical exam to a physical therapist who can see what is going on with the muscles in your back and who can advise specific exercises to strengthen the muscles which are weak or even rule out the option of muscular pain if that is the case.

I see you are using Nexium. Yes, gastric pain can radiate in the back, but it goes the other way around, not like you have it (so in gastric pain it starts in the stomach and radiates in the back).

Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need more clarifications.

Regards,
Dr. Papaqako

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T