sharp pain between shoulder blades when sitting at a computer desk for more than four hours
Summary
Sharp pain between the shoulder blades, often called "interscapular pain," is a classic sign of postural strain from prolonged desk work. When we sit for hours, the muscles and joints in the upper back (thoracic spine) become overworked and stiff, leading to acute irritation and localized discomfort.
Most likely causes
- Postural Fatigue: Slumping or "forward head posture" overstretches the mid-back muscles.
- Rib Misalignment: A small joint where the rib meets the spine can become restricted, causing sharp, localized pain.
- Thoracic Joint Restriction: Stiffness in the T1-T12 vertebrae that limits movement.
- Trigger Points: Tight knots in the rhomboid or trapezius muscles.
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