Shoulder pain coming from the neck
Shoulder pain is one of the most common injuries we see here at the James Grigg Centres. However, the majority of treatment is aimed towards the neck and spine before treatment starts at the shoulder.
The neck causing shoulder pain
Referred pain from the neck is extremely common. A bundle of nerves called the brachial plexus leaves the neck and travels down the shoulder into the arm and hand. These nerves have a labyrinth of muscle tissue, bone and joints to navigate around.
It is very easy for these nerves to become compressed. When this happens, pain can occur anywhere from the neck to the hand even though the actual site of compression can be elsewhere.
Symptoms of nerve compression could be
1 – Shooting pains
2 – Aching senstations
3 – Pins and needles
4 – Weakness in the muscles
5 – The arm feeling “heavy” or “dead”
Obviously shoulder pain could actually be coming from the shoulder joint itself. It is just in most cases the neck and spinal joints are responsible for the symptoms. That’s why a good assessment and treatment plan of the whole upper limb is essesnital for complete and speedy recovery. Making an accurate diagnosis is extremely important in order to make sure the right area is being treated.
Treating the neck
Treating the neck is relatively straight forward once the
cause has been established.
Applying gentle pressure to the spinal joints reduces the
pressure on the nerves around the neck. This alone can be
enough to relive the pain in the shoulder.
The use of sports massage is extremely beneficial as it
helps release the spasm and tightness surrounding the
neck and shoulder. It allows the muscles to return to
normal length and function.
Rehhabilitation exercises should focus on regaining
strength, mobility and stability in the neck, shoulder
and shoulder blade area.
It really can be a quick fix sometimes, even if the
symptoms are very painful.
For more information on how we treat and how we can
help you please contact our friendly reception team
by following the contact details below…
A video example from one of our clinics…
The following video demonstrates how a specific neck mobilisation can resolve extreme pain in the neck and also pain and restriction in the shoulder.
As demonstrated, spinal mobilisations do not need to be aggressive to be effective. What’s more, a shoulder problem may not actually be a shoulder problem at all. Referred pain is extremely common and an accurate diagnosis is fundamental in order to achieve a pain free movement. Whether there is damage to the shoulder joint or not, assessment of the neck and spinal nerves should always occur.
Read more about shoulder pain click here
View our centres click here
For more information on pain in a particular region of the body then please see below
Lower limb pain…
Back pain
diagnosis and treatment.
Read more
Hamstring pain
causes and treatment options
Read more
Knee pain
causes and treatment options
Read more
Ankle pain
causes and treatment options
Read more
Upper limb pain…
Neck pain
causes and treatment options
Read more
Shoulder pain
causes and treatment options
Read more
Elbow pain
causes and treatment options
Read more
Wrist pain
causes and treatment options
Read more
Injury treatment | Sports massage | Post-op rehabilitation
All available in these locations…
Southampton Centre
Based in Hedge End just 2 minutes from
junction 7 on the M27
27 Wellstead Way
Hedge End
Southampton
Hampshire
SO30 2LE
Phone – 02380 014081
Email – southampton@jamesgrigg.co.uk
Salisbury Centre
Based inside the Raymond McEnhill Stadium
just 5 minutes from Salisbury City Centre
The Raymond McEnhill Stadium
Partridge Way
Old Sarum
Salisbury
Wiltshire
SP4 6PU
Phone – 01722 440688
Email – salisbury@jamesgrigg.co.uk
New Forest Centre
Based in the heart of the new forest
just a short drive from Downton and Fordingbridge.
The Bungalow
Hatchett Green
Hale
Fordingbridge
Hampshire
SP6 2NB
Phone – 01725 530196
Email – newforest@jamesgrigg.co.uk