Shoulder and Neck Pain – A Regular Syndrome

There are different medical conditions that can cause pain to appear in those areas, including trauma and simple contusions. Even a heart attack is likely to produce such types of pain, the diagnosis being quite difficult in such situations.

Muscle injuries produce pain in the shoulder and neck. Ligaments are strained, blood vessels and nerves compressed and the result is obvious. A fractured collarbone, as rare as it may be, can produce a painful syndrome affecting both shoulders and neck. Other causes are represented by inflammation of the shoulder bursa (commonly known as bursitis), scapula injuries, trauma to the rotator cuff (important anatomical structure constituted of shoulder muscles, ligaments and tendons). Whiplash causes pain in the neck, affecting diverse muscle groups. In rare situations, the pain caused by the inflammation of the gall bladder is felt in the shoulder (referred pain).

Medical literature describes shoulder and neck pain as a veritable syndrome. It goes without saying that the most preeminent symptom is pain, described in varied ways by different patients. The pain is associated with muscle weakness, difficult moving and a reduction of the motion range due to the excessive inflammation. If a nerve has been compressed, then the patient might experience a wide variety of sensations, including tingling or burning. In other situations, the compression of the nerve might be so severe that numbness will appear in the affected area. More serious symptoms of shoulder and neck pain are represented by changes in the color of the skin and coldness. This may represent a situation where emergency medical assistance is requested.

There are many investigations that can be performed in order to identify the causes of shoulder and neck pain. An X-ray can be extremely revealing, showing any signs of injury or other health problems that might be linked to the pain experienced by the patient. Other tests include an ECG, an MRI or CT scan, plus regular blood tests. The ECG is very good for identifying the existence of a heart attack, while the CT scan can be used to identify even the most hidden sources of pain. MRI is often used as a last resort, in patients who do not respond to the treatment administered and where the pain is complicated by other serious symptoms.

Recovering from shoulder and neck pain requires a lot of rest, followed shortly by active exercising. Ice pads can be used in acute painful syndrome, helping to reduce the inflammation. Medication can be administered in order to reduce the intensity of the pain and the patient is also recommended to elevate the injured area, helping to decrease the swelling. Heat should never be applied on swelled, painful areas.

If the pain felt in the shoulder is caused by arthritis, then one of the most recommended treatments is represented by injections with steroids. Physical therapy remains at the top of the list when it comes to relieving the pain felt in the shoulder or neck, with mobility exercises being highly indicated. Surgery becomes an option only when the injury involves either the compression or pinching of a nerve.

Collars are not today as much recommended as in the past, causing the patient to become stiff and even suffer from a certain degree of disability. This is why doctors focus on active treatments, prescribing collars only in certain situations. Early manipulation of the shoulder and neck area is preferred, with mobilization and stretching exercises. Physical therapy is associated with regular massage sessions and ice applications, plus occupational therapy and prophylactic measures.