Neck & Shoulder Pain
Neck and Shoulder Pain
Cervicobrachialgia is the term used to describe pain in the neck radiating into the arm and shoulder. Some people experience only neck pain or only shoulder pain, while others experience pain in both areas. The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that conducts signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. This may be the most important aspect of determining the cause of shoulder pain and injuries. Adjusting the Atlas with specific Upper Cervical chiropractic care has been beneficial in alleviating neck and shoulder pain as reported in the literature.*
What Causes Neck Pain?
Causes of neck pain include:
- Abnormalities in the bone or joints
- Spinal misalignments
- Trauma
- Poor posture- forward head posture
- Degenerative diseases
- Tumors
- Muscle strain
What Causes Shoulder Pain?
The shoulder is a ball and socket joint with a large range of movement. Such a mobile joint tends to be more susceptible to injury. Shoulder pain can stem from one or more of the following causes:
- Strains from overexertion
- Tendonitis from overuse
- Shoulder joint instability
- Dislocation
- Collar or upper arm bone fractures
- Frozen shoulder
- Pinched nerves (also called radiculopathy)
How Are Neck and Shoulder Pain Diagnosed?
- X-rays: Plain X-rays can reveal narrowing of the space between two spinal bones arthritis-like diseases, tumors, slipped discs, narrowing of the spinal canal, fractures and instability of the spinal column. Specific Upper Cervical x-rays designed to detect misalignments in all planes reveal C1 subluxations which may be the cause on many neck, shoulder and arm problems.
- MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imagining is a noninvasive procedure that can reveal the detail of neural (nerve-related) elements.
- Myelography/CT scanning: Sometimes used as an alternative to MRI
- Electrodiagnostic studies: Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) are sometimes used to diagnosis neck and shoulder pain, arm pain, numbness and tingling.
How Are Neck and Shoulder Pain Treated?
The primary treatment is to correct the Atlas/C1 misalignments in the upper cervical spine that would be interfering with proper nerve flow to the muscles of the neck and shoulder. For cases in which nerve roots or the spinal cord are involved, specific upper cervical chiropractic intervention is essential to remove nerve pressure and allow nerves and soft tissue to heal. In extreme conditions surgical procedures may be necessary.
Along with Upper Cervical care, treatment of soft tissue neck and shoulder pain due to inflammation can be treated with natural products that support healthy inflammatory response and immune system function. Pain also may be treated with a local application of moist heat or ice. For both neck and shoulder pain, movement exercises may help. * Eriksen, E., Shoulder and Arm pain, Upper Cervical Subluxation Complex, 2004, pp. 367-369.