When Shoulder Blade Pain Isn’t Really a Shoulder Problem
If you’ve been struggling with pain between your shoulder blades, you’re not alone. Patients from Miami, Naples, and throughout Florida often visit chiropractors, physical therapists, or orthopedists looking for relief. They try massage, stretching, and even injections but the pain always returns.
That’s because what feels like a shoulder or upper back problem is often caused by something else entirely: ligament instability in the neck (cervical spine).
At DMX Miami, we specialize in identifying hidden ligament injuries that standard imaging misses helping patients across the U.S. and Latin America (Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and beyond) finally find the real reason behind their chronic shoulder blade pain.
How the Neck and Shoulder Blades Are Connected
The neck (cervical spine) and upper back (thoracic spine) are connected by a network of muscles, joints, and ligaments. When the ligaments in the neck especially those stabilizing the C5 to C7 vertebrae become stretched or damaged, the muscles that attach between the neck and shoulder blades begin to overcompensate.
This constant tension leads to:
- Pain or burning under the shoulder blades
- Stiffness across the upper back or base of the neck
- Tingling or numbness radiating down one arm
- Weakness when lifting or reaching overhead
It’s common for patients to chase the pain where they feel it the shoulder blade instead of identifying the real source: unstable cervical ligaments.
Common Causes of Neck Ligament Instability
Ligament damage can result from:
- Whiplash or minor car accidents (even at low speeds)
- Repetitive poor posture from phones or computer use
- Heavy lifting or weight training injuries
- Sports trauma involving sudden twists or falls
- Age-related ligament weakening
These injuries don’t always cause pain immediately. Over time, the body adapts until one day the upper back muscles seize up, trying to stabilize what the ligaments can’t.
Why Standard Imaging Often Misses the Real Problem
Traditional X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans are taken while your neck is still. They can show bones and discs, but not how your vertebrae move.
If your ligaments are stretched or loose, instability only appears when your neck moves especially in rotation or extension. This is why so many patients hear,
“Your MRI looks normal.”
“It’s probably just muscle tension.”
But the pain persists, often for months or years, because the underlying instability remains untreated.
How Digital Motion X-Ray (DMX) Detects Hidden Ligament Damage
Digital Motion X-Ray (DMX) is a revolutionary imaging technology that captures real-time X-ray video of your spine while you move. At DMX Miami, our specialists record motion at 30 frames per second, allowing us to see every small shift and slide between vertebrae.
DMX identifies:
- Abnormal movement or gapping between vertebrae
- Ligament laxity that destabilizes the spine
- Compression patterns that irritate nerves supplying the shoulder blades
- Precise movement dysfunctions contributing to chronic pain
Once you see your spine in motion, it’s clear why the pain won’t go away and where true healing needs to begin.
Why Patients from Naples, Miami, and Beyond Choose DMX
Patients from Naples, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and across Florida as well as Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile travel to DMX Miami because:
- DMX is not offered in most clinics or hospitals.
- The procedure is non-invasive, fast, and highly accurate.
- Our team provides bilingual care in English and Spanish.
- We collaborate with regenerative medicine clinics for follow-up treatment.
DMX Miami has become the Florida hub for ligament instability diagnostics, trusted by doctors and patients worldwide.
Next Steps After Diagnosis
Once instability is confirmed, the goal is to restore function and prevent further damage. Treatment options may include:
- Regenerative injections such as PRP or stem cells to strengthen ligaments
- Targeted rehabilitation to retrain muscle coordination
- Postural correction and ergonomic support
- Follow-up DMX studies to track healing progress
When you finally treat the source of the pain unstable cervical ligaments you can eliminate years of discomfort and restore natural movement.
Taking the Next Step Toward Relief
If your shoulder blade pain won’t go away, no matter how much you stretch or massage it, the problem might be in your neck. Digital Motion X-Ray can reveal ligament injuries that standard tests can’t.
At DMX Miami, serving Miami, Naples, and all of Florida, we help patients from across the U.S. and Latin America uncover hidden causes of chronic pain and start their recovery journey.
Learn more: Treatment
Schedule your appointment today: Appointments
Call 305-275-7475 or book your appointment online
Dr. Rodolfo Alfonso, D.C.
Dr. Mark N. Berry, D.C.
Sunset Chiropractic and Wellness
8585 Sunset Dr. STE 102
Miami, Florida 33143
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