Referred pain is a common cause of shoulder pain. It occurs when another part of your body, like your neck or chest, sends pain signals to your brain that are interpreted as originating from your shoulder. However, a physical therapist can tell you that your pain may not be originating in your shoulder at all. The most common cause of referred shoulder pain is irritation or inflammation in structures in your cervical spine (neck) and upper back.
What is referred shoulder pain?
Referred shoulder pain occurs in the shoulder. But it may actually be caused by an injury, such as a pinched nerve, in another part of the body. In particular, referred shoulder pain can occur due to inflammation and irritation of the joints, spinal discs and nerves in your neck.
Treating referred shoulder pain effectively depends on the nature of the injury. Treatments can include anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy and surgery, depending on the severity of the problem.
What does it mean when you have shoulder pain, but it’s actually a neck problem?
As discussed earlier, referred pain is when a problem in one part of your body creates symptoms in another region. For example, if you have neck issues, it may trigger pain or stiffness in your shoulders and arms. If you suffer from shoulder pain, it can sometimes signify referred pain from your neck. And if you have shoulder discomfort, it could send tingling sensations down to your fingers and hands as well.
How can a physical therapist help shoulder pain?
In physical therapy, shoulder pain can sometimes signify referred pain coming from your neck. A physical therapist is an excellent resource for analyzing shoulder pain and helping you to identify and treat any underlying causes.
Border TS offers effective physical therapy for shoulder pain
Are you looking for physical therapy to help reduce shoulder pain? Border Therapy Services has physical therapists who can treat your shoulder pain. To determine the cause of your shoulder pain, we can perform a free screening. Moreover, our therapists can design a customized physical therapy plan for you that focuses on reducing your pain and preventing it from returning.
Contact us for more information or schedule an appointment with our team if you suffer from shoulder pain.