hello, new here. so, what is the answer for burning between shoulder blades? is it disc related or nerve related? i have some spinal stenosis going on but this is painful and it feels more muscle related. pain now extending down to about elbow on right arm. sleep is mostly impossible as pain is so bad. any ideas how to make it stop or lessen the severity.

could be either one, without tests, only guessing. I personally use A LOT of Ben Gay patches on the painful place between my shoulder blades, hubby has to put them on, don't smell pretty but only use at home or at bedtime, they are a good temp. fix.

Okie46

Welcome to the board

sounds muscular....however the pain down your arm "could be" nerve impingement ..... any history of problems w/your spine? How did you come to know of your stenosis?

..... you need to get it ck'd out only thing til then ~ rest, ice, heat....

Bionic

well, an update! found out friday that the burning and what i thought might be muscle related is old c-5 in the neck with a bone spur working on mr. nerve whos making mr deltoid muscle very weak. i participate in martial arts and was having neck pain and left arm and hand were going a little numb and tingling for awhile. my family dr. sent me for an mri which indicated some stenosis(narrowing in spinal column) he suggested seeing the orthopod doc first who told me the next hit i took to the head in a sparring match could be my last-scary. wanted to operate immediately. let me think about that i said! went to the big city to a neuro doc who looked at mri and also wanted to cut immediately. he was recommended by the wife of a guy in my office who had some work done and was happy. my family dr did some research and found another one who was younger an absolutely great.started by doing the myleogrem, found 1 or 2 cervical disks going bad and one in lower back. but before throwing me on the operating table like the other two docs he suggested trying traction. luckily, i have a friend who is a physical therapist and he lets me come in 3x week for about 15min. of traction time. lo and behold after a couple weeks pain and tingling in left arm gone!! 3 weeks ago, through god knows what, pain in back,down arm etc. you guys know the story! anyway old mr bone spur seems to be the problem, so its more traction, no karate for awhile, pain meds for the nerve pain, and if that fails,time to get cut on, get those discs power washed and sanded and screwed together- yeah, cant wait. i have absolutely every confidence in my neuro doc he's just great, and it seems that when i mention it to friends etc. they all knew somebody whos had this done and is doing just fine. i'll really be scared to death more than likely when the time comes for this operation. happy holidays to all! and yes, MERRY CHRISTMAS! to me jesus is still the reason for the season!