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Referred Shoulder Pain Treatment

Sometimes referred shoulder pain can originate from the cervical spine (neck). Referred pain is a phenomenon where pain in a certain body part is felt away from its’ actual source.

This is a result of interconnecting sensory nerves in our nervous system. Some nerves can supply more than one tissue in the body and so when pain is felt in one area, it can be interpreted by the brain as coming from another area supplied by the same sensory nerve.

Injury to any structures in the neck zone can cause referred pain into the shoulder tricking our brains to believe our shoulders are injured. With proper diagnosis of the underlying source of pain, Pivotal Motion can help you achieve referred shoulder pain treatment.

Guy holding his shoulder - Labrum tear | Featured Image for the Referred Shoulder Pain Treatment Page of Pivotal Motion Physiotherapy.

For meaningful referred shoulder pain treatment, trust the skilled physiotherapist team at Pivotal Motion.

Book an appointment using our online portal, or give us a call on 07 3352 5116 to have any questions answered before starting treatment.

TYPES OF REFERRED PAIN

SOMATIC REFERRED PAIN

Somatic Referred Pain is injury to other structures apart from spinal nerves themselves. When structures such as ligaments, tendons, muscles and joints are injured, the pain chemicals produced can irritate nearby sensory nerves and if these nerves innervate other structures elsewhere, the brain can interpret the pain to come from those other areas. As a rule, somatic referred pain is perceived in regions that share the same segmental innervation as the source.

This type of pain is described as a dull gnawing achy pain. It is often hard to localize and the area of pain is wide. This pain is different to pain caused by injury to an actual nerve itself.

RADICULAR REFERRED PAIN

Radicular pain is a type of referred pain from injury to a spinal nerve.  This causes a sharper pain to be felt in a much smaller distinct area as well as paraesthesia (changes in sensation eg numbness) and weakness in the muscles innervated by the spinal nerve injured. The area of pain is felt in the area supplied by the spinal nerve. Radicular pain can be the result of issues such as herniated discs. When symptoms are felt down the arm in the distribution of the spinal nerve affected, we call this radiculopathy.

KEY DIAGNOSTIC FEATURES OF REFERRED PAIN VS SHOULDER PATHOLOGY

The mechanism of injury – Was the neck twisted or pulled in an awkward position at the time of onset of the pain? Any trauma to the neck can mean that the shoulder pain is referred pain.

Is the shoulder joint clicking or clunking? - Any shoulder joint pathology can cause symptoms such as clicking in the shoulder. This is often linked with the pain felt in the shoulder.

Is there any previous history of neck issues? - An extensive history of neck injuries may predispose to referred shoulder pain. Whiplash for example consists of soft tissue injury in the cervical spine which can cause somatic referred pain into the shoulder.

Os there neck pain as well as shoulder pain? - When there is neck pain concurrent with shoulder pain, referred pain may be the issue.

STEPS INVOLVED IN REFERRED SHOULDER PAIN TREATMENT

Figure out the nature of the pain – Is it from a proper injury to any of the shoulder structures or is it referred pain from the neck? This is when seeing a physiotherapist is useful. They will perform a comprehensive assessment to figure out the nature of the injury.

Apply the correct neck and shoulder posture - The head should sit nicely over the body and not protrude forwards. The shoulder blades should also be retracted and not sit rolled forwards. Correct positioning even during an injury ensures that you don’t make the injury worse by stressing the structures in unwanted positions.

Rest and Ice – Regardless of whether it is a neck issue or a shoulder issue, some basic principles apply such as the RICE regime including relative rest by avoiding aggravating activities and icing the area of pain for desensitization.

Maintaining gentle movement - Even in the presence of pain, some light movement is advised to avoid excessive stiffness. Light cardiovascular such as walking ensures the blood is continuously pumped to the injured area which can be a means of pain desensitization.

Are you looking for tailored referred shoulder pain treatment? Pivotal Motion Physiotherapy is here to help!

Located in Newmarket, Brisbane. Call us on 07 3352 5116 today for your appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions – Referred Shoulder Pain Treatment

Can Referred Shoulder Pain Be Treated?

Yes, referred shoulder pain treatment can usually be achieved with the help of an experienced medical practitioner, depending on the source of the pain. Following accurate diagnosis from a physiotherapist or doctor, the most appropriate treatment can be provided to the source of the pain, resulting in improvement of referred shoulder pain.

Recovery schedules will vary between individuals depending on a number of factors including the source of the pain, the amount of damage, and the extent of the damage. While medical tests such as MRI or blood tests are commonly recommended to determine the underlying source of the referred pain, physiotherapy treatment implemented during referred shoulder pain treatment can include activity, manual techniques (massage, stretching, manipulation) as well as progressively increasing strength exercises.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Referred Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain that occurs because of a problem elsewhere in the body is known as referred shoulder pain. While diagnosis from a licensed practitioner is required to gain an accurate diagnosis of the source of the pain, there are several common causes of referred shoulder pain. Common causes include abdominal problems such as gallstones, pelvic problems, heart or blood vessel problems such as pericarditis, as well as lung problems such as pneumonia. If you suspect you are suffering from referred shoulder pain, book an appointment with Pivotal Motion Physiotherapy today.

What is the Difference Between Referred Shoulder Pain and Nerve Pain?

The primary difference between referred pain and nerve pain is the part of the body where the pain is experienced in relation to the injured body part. Referred shoulder pain occurs when pain resulting from an injured or diseased part of the body is felt in the shoulder. Nerve pain is experienced when the injured or diseased part of the body matches where the pain is felt. As an example, issues with the heart can be a cause of referred shoulder pain, while a shoulder dislocation can be a source of nerve pain in the shoulder.

If you need comprehensive referred shoulder pain treatment, trust the expert shoulder injury physio team from Pivotal Motion.

We have extensive experience treating referred pain and can provide you with tailored programs and advice about ongoing injury management.

To learn more, give us a call today on 07 3352 5116 or book an appointment online.

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