Is Your Shoulder Pain Actually Coming From Your Neck? Understanding the Brachial Plexus Connection
Shoulder pain is a common complaint among adults, whether from injury, overuse, or aging. Many people assume that shoulder pain originates in the shoulder itself, often leading to incorrect diagnoses and ineffective treatments. However, a significant number of shoulder issues are actually caused by problems in the neck. Understanding the connection between the neck, the brachial plexus, and your shoulder can help you find real relief and prevent chronic pain.
At O’Hara Family Chiropractic in Arlington Heights, Dr. Kevin O’Hara specializes in identifying the true sources of pain. Many patients come to us for shoulder discomfort, only to discover that their pain stems from nerve irritation in the neck, similar to how sciatica affects the leg. Let’s break down how this happens, what symptoms to look for, and how chiropractic care can help.
What is the Brachial Plexus?
The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that originate in the cervical spine (neck) and travel down the arm. This complex bundle of nerves controls muscle movements in the shoulder, arm, and hand, as well as sensation. When these nerves are compressed or irritated, it can produce pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness in the shoulder and arm.
Think of it as the “sciatic nerve of the arm.” Just as sciatica causes pain down the leg when the sciatic nerve is compressed in the lower back, irritation of the brachial plexus in the neck can cause referred pain in the shoulder and arm. Many patients feel the discomfort in the shoulder itself, while the true source of the problem lies in the cervical spine.
Causes of Shoulder Pain from the Neck
Several conditions in the neck can impact the brachial plexus and lead to shoulder pain:
1. Cervical Herniated Discs
When a disc in the cervical spine (neck) bulges or herniates, it can compress the nerves of the brachial plexus. This compression often results in pain, tingling, or numbness radiating from the neck into the shoulder, arm, and even fingers.
2. Cervical Spinal Stenosis
Narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck can pinch nerves that travel to the shoulder. Patients may feel stiffness, weakness, or sharp, radiating pain that mimics a shoulder injury.
3. Muscle Strain and Poor Posture
Tension in neck muscles, often from poor posture, prolonged sitting, or repetitive movements, can irritate the brachial plexus. Even minor misalignments in the cervical spine can lead to chronic shoulder pain.
4. Nerve Entrapment
The brachial plexus passes through narrow spaces near the collarbone and shoulder blade. Swelling, tight muscles, or repetitive stress can trap these nerves, causing referred pain in the shoulder and arm, even if the neck isn’t visibly painful.
Symptoms of Shoulder Pain from Neck Issues
It’s important to differentiate between a shoulder problem and referred pain from the neck. Signs that your shoulder pain might actually originate in your neck include:
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Pain that radiates from the neck into the shoulder, arm, or hand
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Tingling or numbness in the shoulder, arm, or fingers
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Weakness in the arm or hand
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Pain that worsens with neck movements
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Shoulder pain that doesn’t respond to standard shoulder treatments
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Burning or shooting sensations similar to sciatica, but in the arm
Many patients assume the shoulder joint is damaged, but imaging or conservative shoulder therapies fail to resolve the issue because the root cause lies in the cervical spine.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help Shoulder Pain from Neck Issues
Chiropractic care is particularly effective for shoulder pain that originates in the neck. Chiropractors focus on identifying and correcting the underlying cause of pain rather than masking symptoms. Here’s how Dr. Kevin O’Hara can help:
1. Spinal Adjustments
Gentle adjustments of the cervical spine can relieve pressure on the nerves of the brachial plexus. By restoring proper alignment and motion to the vertebrae, nerve irritation is reduced, which often alleviates shoulder pain.
2. Soft Tissue Therapy
Muscle tension around the neck, shoulder blade, and collarbone can exacerbate nerve compression. Techniques like myofascial release, massage, and trigger point therapy can relax tight muscles, reduce inflammation, and improve circulation.
3. Corrective Exercises
Chiropractors often prescribe specific exercises to strengthen the muscles that support the neck and shoulder. Proper posture, stretching, and strengthening exercises can help maintain spinal alignment and reduce nerve irritation over time.
4. Posture and Ergonomics
Many neck-related shoulder issues are caused or worsened by poor posture. Dr. O’Hara can provide guidance on workstation setup, sleeping positions, and daily habits to reduce stress on the cervical spine and brachial plexus.
5. Spinal Decompression Therapy
For patients with cervical disc herniation or stenosis, spinal decompression therapy can relieve nerve pressure by gently stretching the cervical spine. This non-invasive therapy promotes healing of the discs and reduces nerve compression, similar to the relief spinal decompression provides for sciatica in the lower back.
When to Seek Chiropractic Care for Shoulder Pain
If you’re experiencing shoulder pain that isn’t responding to traditional treatments, or if you notice tingling, numbness, or weakness in your arm or hand, it may be time to consider chiropractic evaluation. Early intervention can prevent chronic pain and improve function, mobility, and quality of life.
Chiropractic care can help you avoid unnecessary surgeries or prolonged use of pain medications by addressing the underlying cause of your shoulder pain—your neck. Many patients find relief within a few weeks of consistent chiropractic treatment.
Take Control of Your Shoulder Pain Today
Don’t assume that shoulder pain always comes from the shoulder itself. Understanding the connection between the neck and shoulder can help you find effective, lasting relief. At O’Hara Family Chiropractic in Arlington Heights, Dr. Kevin O’Hara provides thorough evaluations and personalized treatment plans to address the root causes of your pain.
If you’re struggling with shoulder pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness, contact us today. Let us help you restore proper function, reduce nerve irritation, and reclaim a pain-free life.