What could be the reason for pain under the left shoulder blade?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Pain under the left shoulder blade is often caused by nerve compression or underlying issues in the neck (cervical spine) that radiate down into the shoulder area. Common culprits include pinched nerves, herniated discs, poor posture, or muscle strain — but in some cases, the pain may signal something more serious, such as heart, lung, or digestive conditions that refer pain to this region.

Because the causes vary so widely — from minor muscular tension to urgent medical concerns — self-diagnosing can be risky and delay proper care. The fastest, safest way to narrow down what's behind your discomfort is to take a free, AI-powered symptom check. In just a few minutes, you'll receive personalized insights based on your specific symptoms, helping you understand possible conditions and decide whether to monitor at home, see a primary care doctor, or seek urgent care.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/20/2026

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Explanation

Pain under the left shoulder blade can be due to several reasons. One common cause is related to nerve problems. Sometimes, when nerves in the neck are irritated, they can cause pain that spreads to the shoulder blade area. This is because the nerves in the neck are connected to the shoulder and back.

There are a few specific conditions that might be responsible:

Nerve Irritation: Nerves coming from the neck can become irritated due to different reasons, like a slipped disk or arthritis. This irritation can cause pain that feels like it is under the shoulder blade.
Cervical Spine Issues: Problems in the cervical spine, or neck, can also lead to shoulder pain. If the bones or disks in the neck are not in the right position, they can press on nerves and cause pain that spreads to the shoulder blade.

If you're experiencing this kind of pain, you can use our free AI symptom checker to help identify potential causes and determine whether you should seek medical attention.

(References)

Bateman JE. (1983). Neurologic painful conditions affecting the shoulder. Clinical orthopaedics and related research, 6825345.
Mizutamari M, Sei A, Tokiyoshi A, Fujimoto T, Taniwaki T, Togami W, & Mizuta H. (2010). Corresponding scapular pain with the nerve root involved .... Journal of orthopaedic surgery (Hong Kong), 21187551.
Mimori K, Muneta T, Komori H, Okawa A, & Shinomiya K. (1999). Relation between the painful shoulder and the cervical .... Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery, 10472000.

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