cold tingley numb feeling in upper back under right shoulderblade.

[DivaGurl]

I know i should post under neurology (i have no credidcard ) i have been getting this numb tingle on my right side about 2 or 3 inches from my spine, and under the blade. I have searched threw symptoms of others with back prob. but I haven't found anyone with my symptoms of a numb mid or upper back.I have had this tingle for about 2 years, almost every day. I also sleep on my right side with my arm up under my pillow to cradle my neck as i have severe neck arthritis from a car accident 6 or 7 years ago. i don't know if that is a factor in my numbness. i also notice that it goes numb more often on the days i do wear my bra. i would appreciate any advice or if you also have had a numb mid back, any suggestions.

[st8vi9]

It is called Notalgia

[wolfmama0208]

Aw man:( I started getting this about a month ago and was hoping for some definite answers:( I have never had any issues with my back, but I do work at a computer 8 hours a day. it started as a icy hot feeling in my right shoulder blade, and it didn't bother me that much, it just felt weird. Now it has progressed (pretty quickly from when it started) and I HAVE to slump forward or lay flat on my back because it starts to gradually burn more and saying it hurts doesn't seem to quite describe it but I feel weak and I can't seem to stay on my feet as long as I used to because of it:( I'm only 28 so it's a real bummer. I am going to schedule an appointment with a chiropractor to see if maybe they can give me an answer.

[tggfan101]

Hai! I am a 14 year old female with the exact same issue. I guess a lot of you mention it has to do with possibly the way I sleep, but I have always slept the same and this came up about 4-5 months ago. Everytime im in class i have to clutch my upper right back because it is soooo irritating. I think it might have to do with stress. My stress levels have gotten extremely higher recently along with depression and such. When I am focusing in on work in class it strikes, when I do homework etc. I guess "relaxing" is the only fix, although relaxing is hard.

[tyoung0080]

I had this for a years off and on. Turns out I have a pinched nerve at my C7 (torso meets neck) and tension issues with my thoracic spine. Google symptoms of a pinched nerve....

Tingling, Burning, sharp pains, etc. I get some of each, but it varies day to day.

[josiegirl1]

I dont want to scare you but I have the same problem and I happened to have been in a car accident in 2012 and broke my c7 c8 in my cervical spine.I went to the bone doctor and he ordered an mri and that came back with some concern about my spinal fluid and some blockage and he then referred me to a neurologist.I am going to see dr in march 2016.

[Shiny_Foo]

I am a 35 year old male and I have these symptoms too.  My numbness is on my left side in between my spine and my shoulder blade.  My symptoms start as tingling and numbness and if I leave it unattended it will progress into pain along nerve lines that run from my spine around my torso to my chest.  The area that the pain is noticeably warm to the touch. My doctor eventually diagnosed it as shingles, but I have never had an actual rash outbreak.  If I start taking Valtrex (used to treat shingles) when the symptoms begin it usually will go away.  I sit at a desk all day at work and I think my posture has a great deal of influence on it.  When I have numbness along my spine I can stretch and pop my back and it relieves the numbness and tingling temporarily.  Yoga helps to alleviate the symptoms as well.  I believe it all started as a result of a weightlifting injury to my spine (nothing major I just remember tweaking my back in this spot a few years ago).  I think I have a damaged nerve that is more susceptible to the effects of the shingles virus.  The first time this happened I just dealt with the pain for about a month before I went to the doctor.  He gave me a shot of B12 and Cortisone and prescribed Valtrex.  When I woke up the next morning the pain, numbness, and tingling were gone.  This leads me to believe that swelling is involved as well (cortisone is an anti-inflammatory).  This has occurred more times than I can count.  My doctor said he would continue to treat my symptoms, but cannot cure me or offer me a diagnosis.  I notice that when I get overly tired or drink to excess for a few nights in a row my symptoms start up (which ***** because drinking helps the symptoms!) .  I guess the next step is to see a neurologist.  

[Jbenn35]

It's absolutely a posture issue. I suffered from this for about 8 months... Random tingling spells on my upper back around my shoulder blades. I realized that I had been playing an addictive iPhone app constantly and wondered if the tingling was caused by the way I sit and play this game (head down for sometimes an hour). I ended up deleting the game and don't spend much time on my iPhone. Problem solved within a week or so.

[CarlWatkins]

I am a 70 year old grandpa and getting older.  I noticed recently that when I was reaching high with both arms to get something on a high shelf, I started feeling like icy water was running down both sides of my back.  I wondered if it was because of increased circulation, and my blood had not yet reached body temperature. But that sounds kind of ridiculous.  I didn't feel any numbness because of a lack of circulation.  Maybe I was stretching tendons and muscles that hadn't been stretched for a while.  Would that cause this?  I didn't think so.  Well, just now as I am sitting at my computer, I noticed the same thing happening.  It kind of comes and goes.  It almost feels like I'm too hot and my body is perspiring to cool itself, but I don't feel hot.  Hot weird is that?!  But then I'm 70 now for the first time in my life.  Welcome to getting older :)  

[Hannah8280]

Don’t worry, I get the exact same thing and I’m 15.

[Sansei]

I have this problem from past few days ,kind of numbness,itching and a slight pain in my left back shoulder,it's an uncomfortable feeling..I was worried about it and entered in Google and found this blog, and I just wonder all of you are facing this problem.i am 25yrs old,bad posture my shoulders are almost round.i even have breast sag because of my weight imbalance and bad posture.i feel depressed due to my marital problems.i am not going out anywhere even once a day. I realise I am living an unhealthy life. But I am trying to be active, I just could not. I don't know why.planning to meet doctor soon:(

[covaiguna]

I too have the same tingling feeling for the past 3 months just under my right shoulder,  Too surprised to see  a post running for almost 7 years. So many people feeling the same pro, but no remedy so far???
The thing is that, i feel that only when i take off my shirt. until that moment i don't feel a thing.

[Lizflute97]

I'm 17, and I have this problem too.  It only happens when I'm holding my flute up during really long songs and I don't get a chance to lower them for five minutes or so.  It doesn't hurt; only feels really weird and cold in a small spot just under my right shoulder blade.  It stops within ten minutes after I stop playing and only does it when I play sitting down.  It's been going on for about two months now and I'd love to know why!

[Loriarredondo]

Wow mine is on my back right where my bra strap is about an inch from back clasp on the left side only mine is a little darker them my skin tone almost like a faded bruise. It drives me nuts  , burning itching sensation. I wish I knew what it was. I'm 31 in USA.

[OWAD]

i have this feeling of numbness in my hands especially when bedtime. my back is also aching. i tend to change position and that would relieve slightly the numbness. at the same time my breath gets short and my heart beats so fast while my head is getting wild as if i am going violent. hurting myself or others. i am so afraid that i will not be able to control myself. i have gone to the various doctors and hospitals. first they test my blood and urine for kidney and diabetes problem. it went normal.because of palpitations, i was taken x rays twice, ECG twice, stress test. it went normal. i went also to a pulmonary specialist. he said i was fine. because i have dizziness, headache and ringing ears, i went to an EENT, gave me zoloft and ginkgo tebonin forte. one tablet of ginkgo only and i wake up in the middle of the night shaking, my heart is rumbling. i discontinued taking the med. i called the EENT and he said it is normal nothing to worry. but i never take the med anymore. next day i went to a neurologist. he said it is just stress. he gave me antidepressant, alpazoram altrox. gave me also carvibloc, nutrafit, and tocovid suprabio. with those so many drugs i am taking in, i am starting to get afraid. i am afraid of overdose. my feeling never changed with those drugs. now i am thinking of having an MRI and CT scan. PLEASE HELP ME. How much is an MRI and CT scan. I am in the Philippines. please if you have same experience, tell me what to do.thanx a lot

[jazziedrive]

I have Carpal Tunnel and that causes those feeling for me. Doc told me to ice my wrist and it will calm the inflammation around the nerve. Then it stopped.

[Veronika1]

Doctors don't know anything. Same problems for several months under my left shoulder blade. Numbness and burning pain, irritating feelings and discomfort especially during dishwashing or cooking, sitting without any support or standing at one spot for some time... it forces me to change position emmediately, to lie down and have a rest. It affects my everyday life. I had no injuries.

WHAT I'VE DONE FOR IT:
I had a thoracic CT scan done - nothing abnormal found. I've been going to physio, remedial massages (cupping) for several months, started going to the gym almost everyday to strengthen my weak muscles (for 7 months already), I am doing stretching a lot, even tried myotherapy and chiropractic. And results? I've improved my posture a lot and lost weight. That's it. The burning sensation and other symptoms still persist. Thinking about dry needeling, though. It might be a chance but who knows...

[leviticus807]

i have had the smae feeling a few inches from the spine on my left side under the left shoulder blade, im only 17 and its wierd, i can go for at least 1-2 years without feeling it and then all of a sudden feel it again then it comes on and off. so why this feeling is there i dont know but i would like to know why.  it dont hurt but its a numbing and tingling sensation.

[JCDD]

Long thread and many comments.  Almost exactly same issues as the original poster of this article:

       Tingling sensation on my left side around shoulder blade just under surface.  
       Comes and goes throughout the day, seems to be triggered by certain postures.  i.e. sitting at computer happens almost constantly, same with doing the dishes.  Lying down actually have no symptoms
       Had it for about 2-3 weeks at this point.
       The tingling has "spread" along my scapula horizontally to my armpit basically (tingling is in patches).
       No pain associated with the tingling.
      


It would be more helpful if people reported what their doctors are saying.  To that end, this is what my doctor (GP) believes:

Either injured muscles in the area, tightness due to poor posture, recent intense activity or stress to that area.  But the sensation is not normal, even for muscle injury.  There is something going on to the nerve itself.  The only think out of the ordinary i did about 3 weeks ago was chopping wood with an axe for a bit.  Have never done that and it wasn't easy, lot of jarring etc.

It could very well be DDD - Degenerative Disk Disease.  Look it up.  Disk gets think/weak and stars pressing on your nerve cause anything from tingling/numbness to pain etc.  And due to the area that people describe symptoms, like mine..likely a disk in your thoracic region or lower cervical spinal region.  I will need to get an Xray or MRI to confirm.

I think in many  cases it might end up being DDD, which is not that uncommon in between 20-40 year olds. The problem with it just being tight muscles is that they don't typically pinch the nerves, the compression is coming from the very narrow space that is available to the nerve as it exists the spinal column.  So even a relatively small narrowing as a result of a disc loosing its cushioning ability can impinge the nerve.  Think of when you really have injured/pulled a muscle or even torn one.  How many times can you recall having a tingling sensation that comes and goes randomly but is consistent for weeks to months or more?  The reason is that muscle problems don't typically impact or impinge nerve function.

Take care and see what your doctors think of that possibility, please post feedback here.  I am actually very surprised that very few doctors (where people have posted their comments) have suggested that DDD is a strong possibility.

Cheers
JCDD

[Kenbomb121]

WOw. I have the same feeling. Nothing major but really odd. I sleep on my back with my arm up and hand under my pillow.  

[Julkarule]

Ok..this is weird. This is the first site that comes up when I search "cold numb feeling in my back" and I'm having the same sensation as all of you. Right side, down the area where my bra strap is, between my scapula and spine for about two to three inches. I used to think it was my bra strap was too tight (it feels similar to the tingly feeling when circulation gets cut off) but then one day I rubbed it and realized I wasn't wearing a bra. I'm 29, female, do NOT sleep with my arm under the pillow but normally on one side or the other. I'm a lefty. Is anyone else? Ive never had a traumatic accident on this side. I have mild scoliosis and have had different back problems for years but this is so different. The only relief I get (which is short-term) is to do back exercises to strengthen my back muscles.. I was a competitive swimmer for years and the hyper flexibility/weakness in my back and shoulders compared to my chest seems to always be involved in many of my shoulder and back problems. Does anyone else with this issue have hyper flexibility? Has anyone tried a back workout regime to see if that helps? Like I said, for me, the relief is temporary, but the underlying sensation seems to be getting more pervasive.

[Julkarule]

Ok..this is weird. This is the first site that comes up when I search "cold numb feeling in my back" and I'm having the same sensation as all of you. Right side, down the area where my bra strap is, between my scapula and spine for about two to three inches. I used to think it was my bra strap was too tight (it feels similar to the tingly feeling when circulation gets cut off) but then one day I rubbed it and realized I wasn't wearing a bra. I'm 29, female, do NOT sleep with my arm under the pillow but normally on one side or the other. I'm a lefty. Is anyone else? Ive never had a traumatic accident on this side. I have mild scoliosis and have had different back problems for years but this is so different. The only relief I get (which is short-term) is to do back exercises to strengthen my back muscles.. I was a competitive swimmer for years and the hyper flexibility/weakness in my back and shoulders compared to my chest seems to always be involved in many of my shoulder and back problems. Does anyone else with this issue have hyper flexibility? Has anyone tried a back workout regime to see if that helps? Like I said, for me, the relief is temporary, but the underlying sensation seems to be getting more pervasive.

[odessa_phantom]

Hi...i am a 41 yrs old male...that suffered with simalar issues...tried all kinds of pain releavers and muscle relaxers...you name it i tried it just to get releaf...well i found out why the pain was always there and i was always at my P.A 's office all the time....the medication helps but does more harm than good....so i researched and studied alot of vitamins and herbs that could help...and i found alot of them....for instance...B-complex is for nerve repair and energy and a ton of other benafits from this vitamin..Omega 3 fish oil...is good for mobility and skin and eye conditions and cholesteral  just to name a few...MSM is for tissue repair , allergies, GERD, its a sulfer something the body needs and it has alot of other uses...and if mixed with Gulcosamine and Chondrotin...it is also good for joint ,tissue and cartlige repair, including spinal and disc inflamation..and vitamin C..help the immune system,...there are a ton of vitamins that help with alot of things...but your DR. wont tell you about them because he only makes money off of a prescription...man made meds...not natural...so no kick back for them...so no help to you...just go to any natural food store or search on internet  and tell them your symtems or problem....i am sure they will do a better and more affodable job for you....try it please it cant hurt,,and better for your health,,,for example..did you know antibiotic may help...but also hurt you more...cause they increase the amount of yeast in your body...and also destroy good bacteria that is needed in the body...and cortical steriods well they just destroy your immune system plain and simple...but a DR. wont tell you that...he risk losing money if he did...my name is Roy.. and i hope this will help someone out there like it did me...ohh and remember ..always keep God in your corner...these natural wonders were all created by him.....   God Bless ..and thank you for your time...

[ratcat732]

I'm a 52 Year old Computer Technician - I hope you all read this because maybe it will help. During the day I work in one room of the house - sitting on a stool looking slightly up at a monitor and it drives me nuts. My arms are slightly down toward the desk. I get tingling under the right-hand shoulder blade and know it is doing damage but I have to keep going because its my job. At night I play my computer games on my own PC and do not feel a thing, my head is parallel to the computer screen but often I realise my chin is on my chest so I am looking down. My chair is back as in I am laying back in my chair. It seems that it is all to do with posture. Your arms should be level and your head should be level. If you are sitting too high you will feel pain. If you are sitting too low and looking up you will feel pain. Spend some time adjusting your posture until the pain ceases. Best is Arms up above your waist Monitor at eye level or just below.

[phxfinn]

Yeah, pinched nerve sounds right. And while a lot of people commented on sleeping, posture, and new babies- they all go hand-in-hand.

Mine started several weeks after my second child was born, and occurs a few times a week for 9 months now- due to bad posture carrying and feeding the baby, and lots of time spent hunched over at the computer I'm sure. Oh yeah, and I sleep with my arm under my pillow (stretched out, under my pillow). While I have back problems (spondolesthesis, scoliosis, fractured vertebrae- none are causing me pain at this point in my life), the chiropractic said it's not due to spinal issues. It subsided for a few weeks after acupuncture.

[natasha75]

Hi there,
I have have the same numb feeling in the area of my left shoulder blade.  It started not long after a bad muscle pull.  Now approx 6 months on and whilst there is no pain, I suffer a dull ache, burning and numbness.....but the most anoying of all is a constant itch just under the shoulder blade.  Why the itching I do not understand???? I spoke to the docs but no answer other than a muscle pull!!! Been seeing a massusse now for over 3 months but still no change.  Does anyone else suffer the itching?

Natasha
x