Burning Upper Back Pain Between Shoulder Blades: How to Get Relief

Key takeaways:

• Most causes of upper back pain are musculoskeletal in nature.
• There are more serious conditions that cause upper back pain, but these are rare.
• See your doctor if your back pain lasts longer than 24 hours or if you have other symptoms.

Upper back pain is a common experience. It is estimated that nearly 40% of Americans will suffer back pain in any three-month period. This is a frustrating and often activity-limiting experience.

Many times, upper back pain is due to a mechanical cause. This means the pain comes from the muscles, bones, or other soft tissue around our back. Often, the problem is related to sprains, strains, or even arthritis. This causes dull and aching pain.

But what about the pain that burns? Is that from a mechanical cause? The answer is often yes. But there can be other more serious causes.

Burning upper back pain defined

Most often, this kind of pain is characterized as “burning” by patients, but there can be other sensations. It may feel like something hot is poking you in the back. It may also feel like a stabbing, pricking sensation.

Health risks associated with burning upper back pain between shoulder blades

Back pain is more commonly experienced by obese, smoking, and unfit patients. These conditions stress the back's muscles, bones, and joints, increasing the chance of conditions such as muscle spasms or strain, arthritis, disk disease, and others.

Symptoms associated with burning upper back pain between shoulder blades

Frequently, back pain presents by itself. Sometimes, other symptoms are present. These usually indicate something beyond a simple sprain or strain.

Chest pain

Chest pain associated with back pain can be a sign of something serious. If you are experiencing chest pain with back pain, seek medical attention now.

Radiating pain

If back pain radiates to the buttocks, hips, or legs, or even down the arms, the nerves to these areas may be compressed. Please call your doctor if this is the case.

Rash

Burning back pain accompanied by a rash can indicate shingles. This condition is discussed further below.

Causes of burning upper back pain between shoulder blades

9 times out of 10, back pain is musculoskeletal or mechanical in origin, but there are times when there are more serious explanations.

Musculoskeletal

The list of musculoskeletal causes of back pain is long. It includes muscle strain or spasms, disk herniation, arthritis, osteoporosis, and spondylolisthesis. Sometimes, there is a preceding injury or traumatic event. This includes trying to lift heavy objects or repeated motions involving the upper back.

The treatment for musculoskeletal back pain depends on the cause. It usually requires rest, heat, and, at times, over-the-counter medication. Your doctor may also recommend stretches or prescribe physical therapy.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

GERD stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease. In this condition, acid from the stomach splashes (or refluxes) up into the esophagus. This causes painful inflammation of the esophageal lining. The pain from GERD is also known as heartburn.

Usually, GERD causes upper abdominal or lower chest pain. Sometimes, it causes upper back pain. This is known as referred pain. In referred pain, pain is felt in a part of the body away from the source of the pain.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ that sits in the back of the abdomen, behind the stomach. Inflammation of the pancreas frequently leads to upper/middle abdominal pain. Other symptoms include nausea and vomiting. Due to referred pain, back pain can be a sign of pancreatitis. If you are experiencing back pain and nausea/vomiting, seek medical attention.

Aortic dissection

The aorta is a large vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. When the wall of this vessel is torn, it’s known as aortic dissection. This leads to severe, tearing chest pain in many patients. It may also lead to weakness or numbness in the arms or legs. In some cases, aortic dissection leads to sudden-onset, severe back pain. Fortunately, this is a rare cause of back pain.

Shingles

Shingles is caused by a virus that lives in the cells of your spinal cord. If you had chickenpox as a child, the virus can hide in your spinal cord. When the virus is active, a rash spreads from the middle of the back to the front of your body.

Other causes of burning upper back pain between shoulder blades based on another symptom or situation

If you have other symptoms accompanying burning upper back pain, this helps guide doctors to the diagnosis.

Burning pain between shoulder blades and burning sensation in the chest

This may be a symptom of GERD or a problem with your aorta. Please seek medical care if you are having burning chest and back pain.

Burning upper back pain during pregnancy

Back pain during pregnancy can be from pregnancy-related changes. Please call your doctor if you are pregnant and experiencing upper back pain.

Burning upper back pain with a GERD diagnosis

If you have been diagnosed with GERD and are experiencing this symptom, it may be referred pain. You may need your medications or treatment plan adjusted.

How to get short-term relief from burning upper back pain between shoulder blades

If you are experiencing burning upper back pain, there are some simple remedies you can try. If there is no improvement after 24 hours, or if you have other symptoms, see your doctor.

Avoiding triggers

Back pain is most frequently caused by overuse or repetitive movement and muscle strain or spasm. Therefore, it is important to avoid the motion or movement that triggers the pain.

Heat or ice

Heat or ice is helpful for pain due to musculoskeletal injury. One is not necessarily better than the other. Use an ice pack or a heating pad over the painful area. Do it for no longer than 20 minutes at a time. If you are using heat, don't apply the pad to your bare skin. This can lead to burns.

Over-the-counter medication

Over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen are helpful for back pain. Start with a low dose first. You can always increase it later. A good starting dose for acetaminophen is 325 mg every 6 hours. For ibuprofen, start with 200 mg every 6 hours. Take no more than 2000 mg of acetaminophen in 24 hours. Do not take more than 2400 mg of ibuprofen in 24 hours unless directed by a doctor.

If you have a history of stomach ulcers or kidney problems, avoid ibuprofen.

How to prevent burning upper back pain between shoulder blades

Preventing upper back pain is the best treatment of all.

Stretching

Stretches for lower back pain are helpful. Regular stretching prevents strain on the muscles, bones, and joints of your back.

Healthy habits

Smoking cessation and living at a healthy weight are key preventative measures. Tobacco and excess weight strain the muscles and bones of your back.

Lifting safety

If you need to move or lift heavy objects be sure to use safe lifting practices. These are available on websites such as OSHA.com.

When you should see a doctor about burning upper back pain between shoulder blades

If you have burning upper back pain, please call your doctor. They may want to see you immediately or may advise treatment at home.

You should see a doctor if:

• Your symptoms last longer than 24 hours.
• You have a rash associated with the pain.
• Your pain is severe.

You should go to the emergency room if:

• You are experiencing chest pain.
• You feel numbness or weakness in your arms or legs.
• You have nausea or vomiting.
• You have abdominal pain.

Questions to ask your doctor about burning upper back pain between shoulder blades

• What is causing this?
• When should it get better?
• Is there anything I can do to prevent it?

How a doctor may help treat burning upper back pain between shoulder blades

Your doctor may make several recommendations for treating your back pain.

Pain medication

Over-the-counter medications may not be strong enough for your pain. Your doctor may prescribe something stronger. Take it as prescribed and only as long as needed.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy may be prescribed to you. This is so that you can strengthen the musculoskeletal system around your back to prevent future injury.

Additional treatment

If you have GERD there is specific medication for that. You may also need to avoid certain foods.

Frequently asked questions: burning upper back pain between shoulder blades

It is normal to have questions. Please ask until you understand your condition.

Is burning upper back pain between shoulder blades a sign of a heart attack?

Not usually. However, if you have chest pain, weakness, or numbness in your arms or legs, be seen immediately.

How long should this type of pain last before you see a doctor?

No more than 24 hours.

What specialists or medical professionals can help treat burning upper back pain?

Physical therapists may assist with preventive exercises that will strengthen your back muscles. A GI doctor may be needed to evaluate you for GERD.

Managing burning upper back pain

Burning upper back pain between the shoulder blades is a painful and frustrating symptom. Thankfully, the causes are usually not serious, and symptoms should subside within a few days.

General Medicine follows a strict editorial process, including using real experts to write our articles, vetted primary sources, fact-checking, a secondary medical review, and updates as necessary. This article was medically reviewed and fact checked by Dr. Lane Thaut, DO.

Sources

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National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. “Back Pain.” National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, 23 Apr. 2019, www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/back-pain.

Nair, Pragya A., and Bhupendra C. Patel. “Herpes Zoster (Shingles).” PubMed, StatPearls Publishing, 4 Sept. 2023, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441824/.

Antunes, Catiele, et al. “Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.” Nih.gov, StatPearls Publishing, 3 July 2023, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK441938/.

Mohy-ud-din, Nabeeha, and Suzanne Morrissey. “Pancreatitis.” Nih.gov, StatPearls Publishing, 4 July 2023, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538337/.

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Levy, David, and Jacqueline K. Le. “Aortic Dissection.” PubMed, StatPearls Publishing, 23 Apr. 2023, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441963/.