SHOULDER PAIN OR NECK PAIN: HOW TO IDENTIFY?

WHAT IS SHOULDER PAIN?

The shoulder has a wide and versatile range of motion. When something goes wrong with your shoulder, it hampers your ability to move freely and can cause a great deal of pain and discomfort. However, shoulder pain can actually radiate from the neck. Shoulder pain that arises from another structure is called referred pain. Referred shoulder pain usually doesn't worsen when you move your shoulder.

WHAT IS NECK PAIN?

Your neck is made up of vertebrae that extend from the skull to the upper torso. Any abnormalities, inflammation, or injury can cause neck pain or stiff neck.

Many people experience neck pain or stiffness occasionally. In many cases, it’s due to poor posture or overuse. Sometimes, neck pain is caused by injury from a fall, contact sports, or whiplash. Most of the time, neck pain isn’t a serious condition and can be relieved within a few days. In some cases, neck pain can indicate serious injury or illness and require a doctor’s care. If you have neck pain that continues for more than a week, is severe, or is accompanied by other symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

WHEN DOES NECK PAIN BECOME SHOULDER PAIN?

Both the shoulder and the neck are leading sources of pain. Due to the way our bodies are designed, shoulder pain can actually imply a neck injury. When the brain has trouble determining the location of a neck or shoulder injury, pain can radiate through the shoulder and down the arm. It may even cause lower back pain.

WHEN IS IT A SHOULDER PAIN?

One common strategy is to isolate the source of pain as much as possible. Most shoulder pain is caused by injuries to the rotator cuff, a series of joint-stabilizing muscles and tendons. As we age, the rotator cuff can become damaged and produce shoulder pain. If your pain occurs when lifting your arm above your head or while lifting objects, is dull or aching, subsides when you rest your arm, and originates in the shoulder itself, you might have a shoulder injury.

WHEN IS IT A NECK PAIN?

In many instances, shoulder pain can actually be “referred” pain from the neck. The neck joints or “vertebrae” allow you to rotate and nod your head. Both these joints and neck nerves can become inflamed, causing pain that originates in the neck. Common causes are both acute and chronic injuries such as arthritis. While a thorough exam should be performed to narrow down the cause of pain, several indicators may point to an injury in the neck muscles as a cause of your pain. These include pain that radiates down to your shoulder blade, tingling, stabbing, or burning pain and pain that diminished while supporting your neck.

WHAT IS THE SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM?

Regardless of the cause of your neck or shoulder pain, many pain-relieving treatments are typically available. Pain derived from shoulder problems can often be relieved through resting the joint from pain-aggravating activities, icing the shoulder, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medication. On the other hand, back-derived pain can typically be relieved through physical therapy, anti- inflammatory medication, cold or hot packs, and injections to reduce swelling and pain.

WHY KIMS?

If you are experiencing neck or shoulder pain and none of the common pain-reducing solutions have worked, feel free to contact KIMS, one of the best shoulder clinics in Hyderabad. Our best shoulder replacement specialists in Hyderabad can provide the best shoulder pain treatment in Hyderabad.