Is Your Shoulder Pain Actually Coming From Your Neck?

Is Your Shoulder Pain Actually Coming From Your Neck?

Most people assume shoulder pain means there is something wrong with the shoulder joint.

Sometimes that is true. But in many cases, pain felt in the shoulder can start in the neck.

The neck and shoulder share muscles, nerves, and movement patterns. When one area becomes irritated, the other area may feel the pain. This is called referred pain.

A person may feel pain in the shoulder even when the main problem is coming from the neck.

How The Neck And Shoulder Are Connected

Several nerves leave the cervical spine and travel through the shoulder before continuing into the arm and hand.

When one of these nerves becomes irritated, symptoms may show up far away from the source of the problem.

Common symptoms may include:

• Shoulder pain
• Pain between the shoulder blade and neck
• Tingling in the arm
• Numbness in the hand
• Burning sensations
• Weakness when lifting objects

Some people have very little neck pain even though the neck is part of the problem.

Signs The Pain May Be Coming From Your Neck

Certain symptoms make a neck-related issue more likely.

You may be dealing with a neck issue if:

• Pain travels below the shoulder
• Symptoms reach the elbow or hand
• Tingling is present
• Numbness develops
• Turning your head changes the pain
• Looking up increases symptoms
• Neck stiffness happens with shoulder pain

Many people with a pinched nerve notice symptoms that travel into the shoulder, arm, or hand.

Signs The Pain May Be Coming From The Shoulder

Not every painful shoulder starts in the neck.

The shoulder itself may be the source if:

• Pain stays around the shoulder joint
• Reaching overhead increases symptoms
• Lifting objects causes pain
• Sleeping on the shoulder is painful
• Symptoms improve when the arm rests
• Pain does not travel below the elbow

A physical exam can help tell the difference between a neck problem, shoulder problem, or a combination of both.

HTML/CSS/JS PLACEHOLDER: Interactive comparison tool. Suggested title: Neck Pain Or Shoulder Pain?. Include two columns: signs more common with neck problems and signs more common with shoulder problems.

What About Poor Posture?

Poor posture can contribute to neck-related shoulder pain.

When the head shifts forward, the muscles and joints of the neck have to work harder. Over time, this can create tension through the neck, upper back, and shoulder area.

This may lead to:

• Muscle tension
• Joint irritation
• Reduced movement
• Nerve irritation
• Pain after computer work

This is one reason postural correction therapy may be used for recurring neck and shoulder discomfort.

INFOGRAPHIC PLACEHOLDER: Branded three-column graphic. Suggested title: 3 Common Causes Of Shoulder Pain. Columns: Poor Posture, Shoulder Injury, Pinched Nerve.

When Should You Get Checked?

It may help to seek an evaluation if:

• Pain lasts more than a few weeks
• Symptoms keep returning
• Tingling develops
• Numbness appears
• Weakness occurs
• Sleep becomes difficult
• Daily activities become limited

Persistent symptoms often benefit from a full exam of both the neck and shoulder.

If your neck pain has lasted for a while, this article may also help: How Long Should Neck Pain Last Before Getting Checked?

How Chiropractic Care May Help

Treatment depends on what is causing the symptoms.

Some patients need care focused on the neck. Others need treatment directed toward the shoulder, posture, or soft tissue tension.

Depending on the exam findings, care may include spinal manipulation, manual therapy, soft tissue treatment, mobility work, or posture guidance.

The goal is to improve movement, reduce irritation, and find where the symptoms are coming from.

Neck And Shoulder Pain Care In Niagara Falls

At Niagara Falls Spine & Chiro, we evaluate both neck and shoulder symptoms to help determine the source of pain.

If your shoulder pain has not improved, the neck may be worth evaluating as well.

Get started here.