Shoulder and neck pain can vary from person to person. Some people will only experience neck pain, while others experience only shoulder pain. Many people experience pain in both areas. Muscles, nerves, veins, ligaments, bones, arteries and many other structures are involved with the shoulder and neck areas. Due to all of these different structures, shoulder and neck pain can be caused by a variety of different issues.
Causes of Neck and Shoulder Pain
• Soft tissue injuries are the most common cause of the pain. These injuries could be to the ligaments, tendons, or muscles in the shoulder and neck.
• Degenerative arthritis in the spinal area can cause pinched nerves. These nerves can be extremely painful and cause pain in other regions of the body.
• Shoulder separation is when the shoulder blade and collarbone ligaments are stretched or torn.
• The repetitive use of a rotator cuff can cause injury to the cuff. This injury could lead to frozen shoulder or should impingement syndrome.
• Forceful trauma could injure or break the shoulder blade causing pain in the shoulder and neck areas.
• Referred pain is caused by a heart attack. Even though the issue is with the heart, the pain can travel to the shoulders and neck.
• The sac over the joints is called bursa. The bursa provides a pad for the muscles and joints. When the bursa becomes painful, swollen, or stiff, it is called bursitis and can cause pain.
• Broken collarbones are common in sports when an athlete falls on his or her outstretched arm. Football players experienced this injury frequently. Cyclists also experience this quite often when they fall off their bikes.
• When a person is in a car accident, whiplash typically occurs. Anytime the body is being accelerated in one direction and is suddenly decelerated in the opposite direction; whiplash can occur. Whiplash will cause the neck and shoulder area to spasm, and the spasm causes the pain.
• The muscles are connected to the bones with tendons. When these tendons are injured, it causes tendinitis. Tendinitis is caused when the tendons become swollen, also.
• A massive amount of pain in the right shoulder area could be caused by gallbladder disease.
• Inflammation under or around a diaphragm can cause pain in the shoulder area.
Depending on the cause of the pain and the seriousness of the injury, some pain in the neck and shoulder areas can be treated at home. Only minor injuries with only a minimal amount of pain should be treated at home without visiting a doctor. If the pain increases or does not go away, a doctor visit is highly recommended. A physician’s visit is also recommended for weakness, coolness, deformity, or color changes in the area. If a person’s temperature reaches above 102.5, has shortness of breath, dizziness, or chest pain, it would be wise to call 911 for an ambulance as soon as possible.
Home Treatments
• Heat can be applied, but not in the first week because it could cause swelling.
• Apply ice, but not directly on the skin.
• Elevating the shoulder and neck above the heart while lying down will lessen the pain.
• Use Tylenol or Ibuprofen for pain control.
• Do not use the injured area and rest for at least two to three days after the injury.
Other causes of the pain require medical treatment. These treatments will be based upon the injury or illness. If the pain is caused by a heart attack, gallbladder, or other major diseases, a doctor will give instructions for care based upon the issue.
Medical Treatments
• Pain medication may be prescribed. An anti-inflammatory (Tylenol) may be all that is needed, but sometimes a doctor will prescribe a stronger narcotic for the few days after a serious injury.
• The doctor may make the arm, shoulder, or neck immobile by using a splint, sling, or cast. The doctor will advise how long it is necessary to remain stationary. It is important to start using the area when the doctor suggests doing so.
• Limited use may be suggested by the doctor. It is important to follow all of the doctor’s suggestion.
• A hospital stay may be required if the injury is severe.
• X-rays may be performed to identify arthritis-like diseases, slipped disc, fractures, etc.
• A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may also be used to identify nerve, tendon, or ligament damage.
We know that Michigan residents are one of the toughest out there. But if you’re experiencing any sort of pain that’s affecting your day to day, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at any one of our Michigan pain clinic locations.