Unexplained Burning Sensation in Left Shoulder Blade
I am an 18-year-old male, standing at 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 64 kilograms. I don’t use any medications and do not have a habit of smoking. Approximately two years ago, I abruptly halted after a sprint and felt an unusual sensation in my left shoulder blade. Since that incident, I’ve experienced a constant, subtle burning discomfort in that area. Activities that I enjoy, such as writing, drawing, and playing the guitar, tend to provoke this pain severely. Since I recently embarked on my journey at art college, this issue has become incredibly challenging and threatens my aspirations. I have undergone thorough examinations, including assessments of my heart, lungs, bones, and muscles, as well as an MRI scan, all of which yielded no concerning results. This leaves me feeling confused and uncertain about the source of my discomfort. I am seeking advice on potential causes or solutions for this persistent issue.
Answers (1)
9/15/2025, 6:10:55 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds very concerning to have a persistent burning sensation in your shoulder blade, especially since it affects activities that are important to you, like writing, drawing, and playing guitar. While it’s good that you’ve already undergone thorough medical examinations, I’ll help you explore potential causes and some immediate steps to manage your discomfort.
Main Points:
- Potential Causes: This burning sensation could be related to muscular, nerve, or postural issues rather than a serious medical condition since your tests returned normal results.
- Management Strategies: Focusing on gentle exercises, posture correction, and muscle relaxation techniques may alleviate your discomfort.
Explanation:
The burning sensation may stem from a few different issues:
- Muscle Strain or Overuse: Given that you are active in art pursuits, repetitive motions or inadequate muscle support might lead to strains.
- Postural Issues: Long hours of sitting or poor ergonomics while drawing or writing can create tension in your back and shoulders.
- Nerve Compression: Sometimes, nerve-related pain can feel like burning and arise from muscle tightness.
Next Steps:
-
Posture Improvement: Ensure your workspace is ergonomically set up. Keep your back straight, and your shoulders relaxed while drawing or writing. Consider sitting on a chair with good back support.
-
Gentle Stretching and Strengthening: Integrate neck and shoulder stretches into your daily routine. Exercises like shoulder rolls, neck stretches, and light resistance exercises for your upper back can strengthen and relax the muscles.
-
Heat Therapy: Using a warm compress on the affected area can help relax tight muscles and alleviate the burning sensation.
-
Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Practices such as deep breathing or meditation can help reduce overall tension in your body.
-
Keep Track of Symptoms: Maintain a diary of when the pain occurs, its intensity, and any other associated activities. This can help identify triggers and track improvement.
If the discomfort persists or worsens, consider visiting a physical therapist who can provide tailored exercises and manual therapy to address your specific needs. It’s essential to be patient with your body as it heals, especially when dealing with nagging discomfort. Let me know how it goes or if you have more specific questions!
Related Questions
Injury to the Sciatic Nerve
At 25 years old and weighing 135 pounds, I am currently taking naproxen and Lyrica to manage my sciatic nerve injury. The pain in my right leg has made it incredibly difficult for me to remain upright. It’s been two weeks since I first sought treatment; I consulted a physician who advised medication and attended a physiotherapy session. Initially, I experienced some relief after the appointment, but unfortunately, the pain returned the following day—even the prescribed home exercises exacerbated my discomfort. Just yesterday, I attempted the cobra pose, along with the flossing technique, which only heightened my pain. I find it nearly impossible to stand for more than a few seconds before the discomfort becomes intolerable. Additionally, I have an appointment with an osteopath on Tuesday, but I can't shake off my worries— is it normal to still struggle with walking after two weeks? Although I am experiencing some numbness in my toes, I haven’t encountered any loss of bladder or bowel control, worsening numbness, or weakness in my legs, so I feel stable in that regard. Nonetheless, I fear the possibility of never fully recovering and being left with a lasting disability. The pain is overwhelming, adding to my anxiety about the future.
Inquiry Regarding Metronidazole Use for Recurrent Bacterial Vaginosis
I am a 32-year-old female, measuring 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 248 pounds. My current medications include Vyvanse at a dosage of 40mg, a medication for asthma, vitamin D, a 325mg iron supplement, and as of now, I am also taking amoxicillin to treat strep throat. I am about to begin using Metronidazole 0.75% Vaginal Gel, with a total of 70 grams available. The instructions indicate that I should administer 5 grams vaginally twice a day for seven days, followed by twice a week for a period of two months. During the initial treatment phase when I will apply the gel twice daily, I anticipate abstaining from sexual activity. However, once I transition to the twice-weekly application, is it permissible to engage in sexual intercourse? I would normally consult my physician about this matter, but she is currently unavailable, and the nurse is also out of the office, which is quite frustrating.
Concern Regarding Persistent Tongue Bump with White Coating
I am a 24-year-old male, standing at 190 cm tall and weighing 109 kg. For the past five weeks, I've experienced a peculiar issue on my tongue. Specifically, there's a noticeable bump on the right side near the tip, which I believe may have been developing over time, although I'm not entirely sure about that timeline. Recently, I've been troubled by an unusual sensation, including dryness, an odd taste, and a slight decrease in my sense of taste. Additionally, I've observed a white coating that is more pronounced on the aforementioned side of my tongue. The bump in question: - Does not cause any pain. - May have increased slightly in size over the weeks, though I'm uncertain. - Appears smooth with a pink surface, free of bleeding or ulceration. Given that this issue has persisted for over a month, I am feeling quite anxious and am concerned that it may indicate a serious problem. I have no significant medical history, but I confess that my dental hygiene has not been up to par, as I haven’t been brushing regularly. At this moment, I’m also under medication for H. pylori, known as Pylera, but this tongue concern predates my treatment. I am a non-smoker and am reaching out for any insights on this condition. Has anyone experienced something similar? Could this be a sign of irritation, infection, or something benign? I really appreciate any guidance you could provide. Thank you!
Experiencing Clear Fluid from Ear with No Discomfort: Should I Wait for My Appointment?
I am a healthy 57-year-old female, weighing 120 pounds and standing 5 feet 5 inches tall. My daily medications include 100 mg of Losartan for effectively managed high blood pressure, 200 mg of Lyrica taken twice daily for post-herpetic neuralgia, 100 mg of Synthroid following treatment for thyroid cancer, and a combination hormone replacement therapy patch. Additionally, I take Zyrtec and Flonase every day to combat allergies. Since October, I have been dealing with persistent tinnitus in my right ear, accompanied by some pressure and a muffled sensation. Recently, I've noticed that when I speak, it feels akin to the sensation I experience when my ears clear during a flight after chewing gum—my voice sounds amplified in my head. I've scheduled an appointment with a physician's assistant in an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) office for the end of March due to my worries about the tinnitus and any potential hearing impairment. Yesterday, I noticed that my ear emitted a clear fluid. Thankfully, there was no associated pain. The fluid was somewhat thicker than water, completely odorless—unlike the unpleasant discharge I recall from my daughter's ear infections—and there was no sign of blood. Could this indicate a perforated eardrum? I suspect this might be the case, but can this occur without an underlying infection? Should I seek attention sooner than my appointment in March? I would prefer to avoid urgent care during flu season; however, if this situation is serious, I am prepared to take precautions and visit.
Understanding the Increased Pain in My Foot While Reclining
At 30 years old, I am nearing the five-week mark since undergoing surgery on my metatarsals. I've encountered a troubling issue: I can’t seem to find comfort when lying down, whether it’s with my foot raised or lying flat. My pain level escalates to a severe 10 out of 10, unless my foot is making contact with the floor or I dangle my leg off the side of the bed so that my toes touch the ground. Is this situation typical for someone in my circumstances? Are there any suggestions that might assist me in getting a better night's sleep?