Clinically reviewed by Dr. Seth Hill, DC, President, Auto Injury Chiropractic. Last reviewed October 2026.

Pain between or under the shoulder blades often comes from strained upper-back muscles, stiff mid-back joints or an irritated nerve in the neck, and it’s common after a car accident. A chiropractor finds the source with an exam, then treats it with adjustments, soft-tissue work and exercise.

Chiropractor adjusting the upper back to relieve shoulder blade pain

What causes it

Shoulder-blade pain often comes from upper-back joint dysfunction, muscle strain, posture, or a pinched nerve. Pain between the shoulder blades can also come from the neck: a study that mapped disc-provoked pain found that discs from the lower neck often refer pain to the area between the shoulder blades (Slipman et al., 2005).¹ That’s one reason it often shows up with neck pain after a crash.

How chiropractic helps

After an exam, care works to restore motion in the mid- and upper-back joints, release the surrounding muscles with soft-tissue and massage therapy, and address any nerve involvement. Mid-back (thoracic) manipulation has shown short-term benefit for mechanical neck pain (Masaracchio et al., 2019).²

Care at all three clinics

We offer same-day appointments in Oregon City, Milwaukie, and Troutdale, with licensed massage therapists on staff. After a car accident in Oregon, your PIP coverage typically covers reasonable and necessary care. We bill your PIP claim directly and verify your coverage before your first visit. Book a visit and we will get you in.

Common questions

Can a chiropractor help shoulder blade pain?

Often, yes. Adjustments, soft-tissue therapy and exercise target the joints and muscles of the upper back.

Why do my shoulder blades hurt after a crash?

The whiplash motion strains the neck and upper back together, often causing pain between or under the shoulder blades.

Will it go away on its own?

Sometimes mild pain eases, but after a crash don’t wait to find out. Get an exam within a few days, once serious injury is ruled out, so we can find the cause and document it for your claim.

References

Slipman CW, Plastaras C, Patel R, et al. Provocative cervical discography symptom mapping. Spine J. 2005;5(4):381-388. doi:10.1016/j.spinee.2004.11.012. PMID 15996607.
Masaracchio M, Kirker K, States R, Hanney WJ, Liu X, Kolber M. Thoracic spine manipulation for the management of mechanical neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2019;14(2):e0211877. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0211877. PMID 30759118.
Bussières AE, Stewart G, Al-Zoubi F, et al. The treatment of neck pain-associated disorders and whiplash-associated disorders: a clinical practice guideline. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2016;39(8):523-564.e27. doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2016.08.007. PMID 27836071.

Auto Injury Chiropractic