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Neck and Shoulder Pain
Treatment Advice for neck and shoulder pain problems
What is Neck and Shoulder Pain? The neck and the shoulder regions are very closely related - both in their anatomy and in their function. Neck and shoulder pain can co-exist with each other and it is common to have a mixed pattern of both neck and shoulder pain at the same time.
All of the tissues that make up your shoulder come from the same development area of the growing embryo - the fifth neck segment.
This means that pain from any of these "shoulder bits" is felt in the same part of the arm - and at times all the way to the wrist. This skin area runs down from the shoulder on the outer part of your arm, over the elbow and towards the base of the thumb. It also means that pain from the bones or joints or discs of the fifth neck segment is felt in the same area.
This is why it can be difficult to work out if neck and shoulder pain is arising in the neck or in the shoulder - as far as the brain is concerned, these body areas are very closely related.
Pain in the fifth cervical nerve bit of skin - often called the C5 segment or C5 dermatome - can arise from the neck or from any of the shoulder anatomy structures.
Take a look at this chart for more information about the cervical dermatome patterns
Many people feel neck and shoulder pain from the neck across the yoke area of the shoulder and down the back towards the inner edge of the shoulder blade. Shoulder blade pain nearly always has its origin in the neck
What causes Neck and Shoulder Pain
Pain that is felt in both the neck and the shoulder is likely to have its origin in the neck. Pain from the neck often spreads down the arm over the shoulder or down towards the inner side of the shoulder blade.
Pain from the shoulder rarely spreads back up towards the neck.
Inflamed joints of the neck can send neck and shoulder pain down over the shoulder and into the arm.
Inflamed joints of the neck also often send neck and shoulder pain down the inner aspect of the shoulder blade and down the thoracic part of the spine as far as the level where a woman's bra strap would be
Inflamed discs of the neck send pain to both shoulder regions at the same time and may cause pain to spread quite far down into the arm
Trapped nerves in the neck create neck and shoulder pain and shooting pain down the arm as far as the hand. This kind of pain is often associated with a feeling of pins and needles in the hand.
You should be aware that combined neck and shoulder pain is often difficult to sort out - even for an experienced doctor or physiotherapist. Please seek help and advice from a professional if you have this kind of pain.
Neck and shoulder pain can sometimes be related to serious underlying disease so don't take any risks with your health - seek advice.
How to diagnose Neck and Shoulder Pain
You doctor or therapist will listen carefully to the story of your neck and shoulder pain
It's often difficult to decide if this kind of pain is arising from the neck or from the shoulder so your doctor will make a close and detailed examination of both areas. Remember that other areas of the body can also send pain to the neck area or the shoulder area so you may also need an examination of the chest or the abdomen.
It's important to check out the nervous system. The nerves from the neck pass through the shoulder region on the way down the arm and nerve pain from the neck to the shoulder is not uncommon.
Remember - neck and shoulder pain can be caused by serious underlying disease. This is rare but if you develop sudden severe pain in this area then seek medical attention as soon as possible.
It is sometimes necessary for the doctor to exclude other problems by performing blood tests or by arranging x-rays or scans.
An x-ray of the neck might show the wear and tear changes of cervical spondylosis. An x-ray of the shoulder might show calcium in the tendons or wear and tear in the shoulder joint.
Sometimes MRI scan of the neck is required to work out why you are experiencing your neck and shoulder pain
How to treat Neck and Shoulder Pain
The key to treating neck and shoulder pain is to make an accurate diagnosis of the cause.
The pain might be arising from any of - or any combination of - the following areas:
- the bones of the cervical spine (or neck)
- the joints of the cervical spine
- the discs in the cervical spine
- the cervical spine nerve roots
- the neck and shoulder muscles
- the shoulder joint
- the shoulder bursa
- the shoulder tendons
Treatment options for neck and shoulder pain need to be directed at the underlying causes include:
- painkiller or anti-inflammation medication
- physical therapy from a physiotherapist, chiropractor or osteopath
- posture correction
- injection of a steroid drug
- strapping or taping of the shoulder
- acupuncture
- cervical spine surgery
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Other Neck Pain Resources
Neck Pain Advice from the Mayo Clinic
About Back and Neck Pain Guide
Spine Universe Neck Pain Pages
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