Whether it’s shoulder pain, neck pain, back pain or knee pain that you’re dealing with – if you have a nagging pain or injury that just won’t go away – no matter what you try – it’s a clue that you’re missing something.
I see this ALL the time in shoulders.
Folks just like you come into our office wondering why their shoulder still hurts after trying ice, heat, rest, physical therapy, massage, and every possible shoulder exercise you could imagine.
The pain either goes away temporarily, or sometimes it gets WORSE!
When it comes to shoulder pain, it’s critical that you know for certain if the pain in your shoulder is actually coming from your shoulder…
If not, you risk trying to fix the wrong problem… and that is EXACTLY why your shoulder pain isn’t going away.
So… if your shoulder pain isn’t coming from your shoulder – where is it coming from?
The most common culprit is your NECK – and below are a few key signs to help you figure that out…
Where is your pain?
When your pain is coming from your shoulder, the pain will always be localized to your shoulder. True shoulder pain is felt directly in front of your shoulder, directly on top of your shoulder, or in a more involved shoulder problem (like a rotator cuff injury) you might feel some achiness down the side of your arm… but it will never go below your elbow. If the pain goes past your elbow and into your forearm or hand, or radiates above your shoulder into your neck (the upper trap area), or if you feel it deep inside of your shoulder blade in your mid-back – odds are pretty good that you’re dealing with a neck problem – and not just a shoulder problem. This could be the reason why your shoulder pain isn’t going away.
Do your symptoms involve numbness, tingling or burning?
These are signs of nerve compression or irritation. If that’s happening – it’s likely coming from your neck – and could be due to a bulging disc or a restricted/faulty movement pattern that is irritating nerve roots in your neck. An isolated shoulder problem typically does NOT involve nerve root compression or irritation. This is much more common in a problem related to your neck – and if that’s what’s happening – you will feel symptoms into your shoulder, shoulder blade, or even down into your arm. What’s particularly misleading is that it’s entirely possible to feel all these nerve symptoms – and not actually feel anything localized to your neck. This is a big reason why shoulder pain that’s really coming from your neck – gets missed by so many health practitioners.
Have you lost mobility or range of motion?
Lack of mobility and stiffness are common symptoms associated with a rotator cuff injury or the dreaded “frozen shoulder.” If your neck moves well and is pain free, but your shoulder is stiff and immobile – odds are good that the problem is actually in your shoulder – and you just haven’t found the right treatment approach yet. BUT… if you’ve got a stiff and painful neck AND you lack mobility in your shoulder… then you MUST investigate your neck. If someone only focuses on stretching and improving your shoulder mobility – and never bothers to look at your neck – it’s possible you could be missing a key component to full recovery -and it’s why your shoulder pain keeps coming back.
Confused? I don’t blame you.
If so – then I invite you give me a call for a free telephone consultation at 202 670 8874 or fill out this form and we will call you.
It’s completely free – We can talk to you about your specific neck and shoulder problems… how to tell the difference…. and most importantly – what you can do to start actually resolving this pain for yourself – WITHOUT pain meds, procedures, or surgery.
And if you have any additional questions – simply reply back to info@mmsspt.com
If you’re serious about getting some help NOW – we can arrange for you to talk to a specialist at our clinic for free and see if you’re a good fit for how we help people 🙂 Click here to apply for that free session. We only have a limited number available right now so please only apply if you’re serious about getting expert help.
If you want to get on my schedule – and talk to me for free – click the link below.
Trupti graduated with a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy from UNC- Chapel Hill in 2001. She has furthered her studies with numerous post-graduate courses focusing on the Neck, shoulder, knee, and back, with a strong emphasis in manual therapy. Recently completed courses in Maitland-Australian Physiotherapy Seminars (Levels 1- 5), has afforded her an excellent way to relieve pain and help people get moving, active and healthy quickly and effectively.
With 20+ years of experience in Physical Therapy, Trupti has practiced in various orthopedic and sports focused clinical settings, in both the Raleigh-Durham, NC and DC regions. She has been Director of multiple Physical therapy Clinics in DC and also worked with some renowned specialists at Georgetown University Hospital in DC. During her years of service, Trupti has had the privilege of caring for a wide variety of clients: from school-aged children to retirees; from homemakers to business professionals; from weekend warriors to professional athletes.
Trupti is an avid fan of the outdoors, art, traveling and of course the Tar Heels. She enjoys spending time with her niece and nephew.
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