is that achy shoulder a torn rotator cuff?
Science is about approximations. But, if you move your neck and cause shoulder pain is the source really your shoulder?
SELF-DIAGNOSING YOUR PROBLEM
The Role Of The Neck In Shoulder Paint
The shoulder has a close relationship with the neck (also known as the “cerivical region” of the spine). Sometimes the pain and loss of movement we feel in our shoulder is actually coming from a problem in our neck. That being said, it is imporant to exclude the neck as a source of your problem.
Is My Pain Coming from My Neck Or My Shoulder?
The (2) most reliable indicators to determine whether the pain is coming from structures in the neck are:
Pain location
Pain behavior
Pain Location
The sites of pain caused by both shoulder or neck problems can be similar in some cases. Pain originating from the shoulder is usually felt on the front or outer part of the shoulder. It is commonly in the upper 1/3 of the arm. It may radiate down to the elbow.
A key feature of shoulder problems is that the structures usually do not cause pain to be felt above the shoulder or into the neck.
Symptoms A Shoulder Does Not Produce
A shoulder problem will not give you a sensation of “pins and needles” or “numbness.” That would be a result of some quality of spine involvement.
Pain Behavior
In most cases, shoulder pain is produced or aggravated by moving th shoulder rand arm — particularly lifting the arm to the front or side, or putting your hand behind your back. Shoulder pain originating from the neck is frequently altered by neck positions or movements.
Thorough Neck Scanning Examination
There are (6) key movements that need to be full and painfree for any neck to move and function optimally on a day to day basis. There are retraction, protraction, extension, flexion, rotation, and lateral fle ion. In addition to this there are (3) regions of the neck that move differently and can cause different symptoms. For instance upper neck issues typicaIly cause headaches because of the “occipital nerves” that run about the scalp. But, there are no nerves that connect to the arm there. However, lower neck symptoms, near the first few ribs have a large network of nerves called the “brachial plexus” (brachial is latin for “arm”). It can cause sciatic-like symptoms in the arm. These symptoms can mimic shoulder pain.
Summary
We are well versed at excluding (“ruling out”) such symptoms at Orlando Physiotherapy. Over the years we have seen patient go on t have shoulder surgery based on faulty premise that an abnormality on imaging (not knowing odds such as 50% chance of abnormality in those 50 years and older in the shoulder). During rehab the problem persists, despite having surgery and then treatment must begin on the neck as well.
[Portions of content come directly from “Treat Your Own Neck” By Robin McKenzie]
