Shoulder Pain: Is It the Shoulder or the Neck?

Shoulder Pain: Is It Coming From the Shoulder, or the Neck?

Shoulder pain can be surprisingly complex. Many patients come in convinced they’ve injured their shoulder, only to find out the discomfort is actually coming from their neck or upper back.

Understanding the difference is key to effective treatment.

How the Neck Mimics Shoulder Pain

Nerves from the neck supply the shoulder, arm and upper back. If a neck joint or muscle becomes irritated, it can refer pain into the shoulder, even if the shoulder itself is perfectly healthy.

Signs your shoulder pain may be coming from your neck:

• Pain when turning your head
• Shoulder pain paired with neck stiffness
• Pain that travels down the arm
• Weaker grip or altered sensation
• No pain when moving the shoulder independently

(Link to: Neck Pain page)

When It Is a Shoulder Problem

Shoulder issues like:

• Rotator cuff irritation
• Bursitis
• Impingement
• Postural overload
• Scapular weakness

…cause pain with lifting, reaching, or sleeping on the affected side.

The Chiropractic Approach

Your assessment will include:

• Neck mobility testing
• Shoulder-specific tests
• Upper back examination
• Muscle strength assessment

This helps us identify the true source and build an effective plan.