Yes! An aching shoulder may not be a shoulder problem. And a sore neck may not indicate a neck problem. Your neck pain can actually be related to injuries to your shoulder, including impingement and tears to the rotator cuff.
Complex injuries may be connected to other injured areas.
The shoulder is a complex joint that is connected to the neck and spine through a network of muscles, tendons, and ligaments. When the shoulder is injured, it can cause pain, inflammation, and limited range of motion in the shoulder, which can in turn lead to compensatory movements in the neck and spine. This compensation can cause strain and tension in the neck muscles, resulting in neck pain.
Additionally, the nerves that control the shoulder and neck are closely connected, and an injury to one area can sometimes cause pain or discomfort in the other area. For example, according to one article on the website Health Essentials, a tear in the rotator cuff muscles in the shoulder can cause pain that radiates down into the arm, elbow, and even into the neck.
Self advocacy is essential.
If you are experiencing neck pain and also have pain in your shoulder, it is very important that you advocate on your behalf to your orthopedist. Many doctors will treat only one body part at a time, working on the part that appears to hurt the most. Unfortunately, claim handlers will question delays in diagnosing injuries and try to minimize the value of the injury that was not focused on. It’s best for you to demand an MRI of both your neck and your shoulder if you are feeling pain in both areas. That way, you can be treated appropriately and your medical records are properly documented.