The shoulder blade, or scapula, is the bone that connects the upper arm with the collar bone. Pain felt in the shoulders may originate in the neck, the arms, or the back. People who work in office environments or who perform repetitive tasks at work, such as reaching across counters or lifting objects, may experience pain in their shoulder blades.
When you experience a minor injury, the injured area may become inflamed. Inflammation, or swelling, is part of the healing process and occurs as your body responds to the injury. However, the swelling itself can contribute to pain and soreness. Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen, work by reducing inflammation and thereby alleviating pain.
Treat shoulder pain and injuries with the RICE method
RICE is an acronym to help you remember the steps to take after a minor injury. RICE stands for:
Rest: Stop using your injured shoulder for 48 hours.
Ice: Use an ice pack wrapped in a towel over the injured area up to 8 times per day, for no longer than 20 minutes at a time.
Compression: Compress your aching shoulder with a wrap or bandages to help reduce swelling.
Elevation: While sleeping, elevate your shoulder above heart-level using a pill
These steps may reduce discomfort and help to expedite the healing process.
Reduce stressful and repetitive motions
If your job requires repeated stressful motions, such as continuous lifting or reaching, you may develop an injury to your shoulder blade over time. You can reduce the risk of these injuries by using ergonomic office supplies and furniture in your workplace. Ergonomic office products are designed specifically to conform to the needs of the user and reduce workplace injuries, especially those due to repetitive motion. Examples of ergonomic alternatives that may reduce shoulder blade injuries can include:
Adjustable height desk
Keyboards and mice designed for hand and wrist comfort
Gel-filled mouse pads and palm supports
Swivel components for monitor arms or keyboard trays
Ergohuman chair
Any of these ergonomic supplies may help reduce pain or soreness due to repetitive motion stress. However, if pain is persistent, you may want to seek professional medical assistance.
Permission for Reprint or Use Content on a Website: If you want to use one or more of our articles on your website, ezine, and/or in print, we typically will allow you to do so with our permission. Just email us a short description of where and what you plan to use. We will respond to you, usually within 1 business day, detailing our conditions of your reprint. If an article will appear on a website, it is required that all of our links stay intact. If the article will appear in print, it will usually require a mention of our website with toll free number and a quick excerpt of our company. If the article will appear in an email ezine a link and our toll free number will be required. That's usually all we need, but please note that permission is required!
Reduce stressful and repetitive motions 
