Why do I have pain in my left shoulder blade?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Left shoulder blade pain has several possible causes, including muscle strain from poor posture or overuse, pinched nerves in the neck or upper spine, rotator cuff injuries, and referred pain from conditions affecting the heart, lungs, or gallbladder. Because the underlying cause can range from minor muscle tension to a more serious medical issue, an accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment.

Since symptoms often overlap between conditions, self-diagnosis can be misleading and delay proper care. A free, instant, online symptom check can help you quickly identify possible causes based on your specific symptoms, understand the urgency of your situation, and guide your next steps—whether that means home care, seeing a primary care doctor, or seeking urgent evaluation. Taking a few minutes now could save you time, worry, and unnecessary complications later.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/20/2026

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Explanation

Pain in the left shoulder blade can have several causes. According to the provided references, common reasons include muscle strain or overuse, which can occur from physical activities or poor posture.

Another potential cause could be nerve-related problems. Nerves in the neck or upper back can become irritated or compressed, leading to referred pain in the shoulder blade area. This is discussed in the references focusing on neurologic conditions affecting the shoulder.

Additionally, injuries or conditions affecting the shoulder joint itself might also cause pain to radiate to the shoulder blade. Persistent shoulder pain can be complex and sometimes involves multiple factors, as noted in the literature.

If you experience ongoing or severe pain, you can start by taking a free symptom checker test to help identify potential causes, though it's important to seek advice from a healthcare provider for a thorough evaluation and appropriate treatment tailored to your specific condition.

(References)

Holmes RE, Barfield WR, & Woolf SK. (2015). Clinical evaluation of nonarthritic shoulder pain: Diagnosis .... The Physician and sportsmedicine, 25622930.
Bateman JE. (1983). Neurologic painful conditions affecting the shoulder. Clinical orthopaedics and related research, 6825345.
Meislin RJ, Sperling JW, & Stitik TP. (2005). Persistent shoulder pain: epidemiology, pathophysiology, .... American journal of orthopedics (Belle Mead, N.J.), 16450690.

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