A vibrating left shoulder can stem from several causes. It's important to consider the context and duration of the vibration to determine the most likely explanation.
Possible Causes of Shoulder Vibration
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Nerve Issues: A common cause is a problem with your nerves. This could be isolated nerve dysfunction, where a single nerve malfunctions due to injury, infection, swelling, or other issues near the nerve. The buzzing or tingling sensation is often indicative of nerve involvement, as noted by Sinicropi Spine. A pinched nerve in your neck could also radiate a vibrating sensation to your shoulder, as suggested by a JustAnswer response (https://www.justanswer.com/neurology/8px50-vibration-right-shoulder-noticed.html).
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Muscle Spasms: Muscle spasms from overuse (sports, injury, poor posture) can cause a vibrating or twitching sensation in the shoulder, as explained by Redefine Healthcare.
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External Device: Are you using a heating pad or massager with vibration features? Amazon's listing for a vibrating shoulder massager illustrates how such devices can create a vibrating sensation.
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Referred Pain: In rarer cases, the vibration could be referred pain from another area, such as a heart condition like a coronary artery spasm. This condition can cause pain radiating to the arm (often the left), back, jaw, neck, and shoulder, according to MedlinePlus. However, this is less likely if the sensation is solely a vibration and not accompanied by chest pain.
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Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS): While typically affecting hands and arms due to prolonged use of vibrating tools (Patient.info), in some cases, the symptoms might extend to the shoulder.
When to Seek Medical Attention
If the vibration is persistent, severe, accompanied by other symptoms (pain, numbness, weakness), or if you suspect it might be related to a heart condition, consult a doctor immediately.
