Painful small lump under left shoulder. Is it just a muscle knot ? Please help !?

I have this small (slightly painful most of the time) lump under my left shoulder blade. Sometimes the pain can increase and radiate down my arm but it's nothing unbearable. On a 1 to 10, I would say the pain - at its worst - is a 4 . The lump is not really visible but you can feel it when you push down and move back and forth in that area. Sometimes, when I stretch that area (turning my neck to the right and looking down), I feel it pop/snap (just a lil bit, not always). Also sometimes, when I push my neck neck towards that area (i don't really know how to describe that), I feel like a pinch in that area. Would just a muscle knot provoke all those symptoms? Additional details: I am athletic (soccer, running) and I also lift weight. I have cut down a lot on weightlifting due to this condition though. Weightlifting seems to affect it. I've had this thing for over 6 months now and I am seriously losing my mind. Someone help please !

[loimmarmar]

Hello,
  Welcome here and now for this pain....NO, you are not even CLOSE to losing your mind...just remember...YOU ARE WHAT YOU SAY!!!   now, do you do a GOOD stretch warm up before and after exercising or sports? Is it a lump right under the skin that moves around when you feel it, like say a smooth stone or is It kinda like as if it were a pulled muscle and or nerve that is now being pinched sometimes, like when you move your neck...all those could have the radiating pain down the arm...Now at this point I must say that most people do know of the pain in the left arm of those who have had a heart attack...so I'm glad that that is not the case here, as it would have happened by this 6 months later time frame and QUIT feeling the area as the feeling with the fingers (palpulate)of it several times a day can make it more sensitive and keep it activated. Have you tried heat in that area or a hot shower to relax it...Do you have any other health problems...have you tried a sling type stability for several days to rest it and allow the swelling to go down then slowly do the warmups...Do not do them to the level you did them prior,,,if you did then(AND YOU SHOULD)....you need to work UP from the beginning ...Have you tried the band exercises for the arms as this also works the shoulders.. have you taken any otc pain meds and do you use suppliments? I want to say that you know....age can be a cause, but then I am only 53, so what would be the causeation for me?   LOL...Let us know what's happening...I hope for the best and have a wonderful Blessed Day!!!!      GOD BLESS!!!!!     loimmarmar

[Diddy1987]

Hi,

It feels more like a hard string. Cold seems to alleviate the pain but the I can still feel the it. I'm going to try some of the things you mentioned and see if there is an improvement. Thanks a lot for your input.

[loimmarmar]

Hey just a quick note....you said hard string...when our muscles turn fiberous they feel like strings but then you mentioned cold and right away I went to .. pinched nerve that is pulling on part of a muscle...the wrong way.....anything else you remember or just keeping us updated...we will see you later...Have a wonderful Blessed Day!!!    GOD BLESS!!!     loimmarmar