We see it all the time—patients coming into our practice with a shoulder problem that’s actually a neck issue, and the other way around.
So, how can you be sure of what the issue is before visiting us or a medical doctor? While it’s always best to seek the advice of a professional, here are a few tips for determining what type of injury you’re facing.
Pinched Nerves
A pinched nerve can often result in pain in the neck and shoulder. If you’re dealing with a pinched nerve, you may feel pain in your shoulder and down your arm. This pain will feel ‘internal’ instead of surface level and possibly like a shooting pain.
Rotator Cuff Injuries
An injury in the front part of your shoulder, usually involving your rotator cuff, will hurt more with the usage of your arm—for example, the inability to grab something out of the fridge or putting on a seatbelt. If you’re totally unable to complete these easy movements, you may be dealing with something more serious—a rotator cuff tear.
Learn How We Can Help
If you’re dealing with as shoulder or neck injury, we’d love to see you in our practice to learn more about your unique needs and let you know how we can help. We’ll craft a custom care plan around your needs depending on exactly what your body needs.