| Did you know that neck pain can radiate to the | | | | of an issue at your neck. |
| shoulder, elbow, or even hand? In some cases, it's | | | | Whenever you have shoulder pain, it is important |
| possible that no signs whatsoever may be | | | | to differentiate between the origin as the shoulder |
| present in the neck, although it can be a neck | | | | or neck. Your orthopedic physician, physical |
| related issue. I know that it sounds strange, but I'll | | | | therapist, or chiropractor can perform a simple |
| say it again: your shoulder pain may not be | | | | evaluation to help you make this determination. |
| coming from your shoulder. It could be your neck. | | | | Once neck injury is ruled out, it becomes safe to |
| Differentiating between neck and shoulder pain is | | | | pursue rehabilitation and strengthening of the |
| very important for several reasons. First and | | | | shoulder. Relief of shoulder pain is completely |
| foremost is the risk of quadriplegia (being | | | | possible in most cases. |
| paralyzed from the neck down) or less extensive | | | | Hundreds of thousands of people world-wide are |
| permanent nerve damage. Many people do not | | | | living their lives with shoulder pain unnecessarily. |
| realize this, but there are specific areas of your | | | | The difference between having pain and having no |
| upper body that correspond with segments of | | | | pain lies mostly in education. If you do not |
| the cervical (upper) spine. Likewise, there are | | | | understand your shoulder, how to strengthen it, |
| specific areas of your lower body that correspond | | | | how to reduce chances for re-injury, or how to |
| with levels of your lumbar (lower) spine. This | | | | break the cycle of pain, shoulder pain can be |
| means that a change in sensation or strength in | | | | overwhelming. |
| your hand, elbow, or shoulder may be indicative | | | | |