The top 5 causes of chronic neck and shoulder pain

We all feel a crick in the neck or a stiff shoulder every now and then. Maybe you overextended your neck while looking down at your phone too long or you slept in an awkward position. Those types of neck and shoulder pains are temporary and can often go away on their own. Unfortunately, in some cases, those pains tend to linger.

When you’re experiencing chronic neck and shoulder pain, it can feel like you’ll never get rid of the ache. It can be even more frustrating if you don’t know the cause of it. When you have persistent pain in your neck and shoulder, it’s important to figure out the reason behind it before starting to explore potential treatment options.

Read on to learn about the commonality of chronic neck and shoulder pain as well as potential causes behind it.

How common is chronic neck and shoulder pain?

Neck and shoulder pain are both common issues felt by millions of people every year. Approximately 80% of people experience neck pain in their lifetime, while shoulder pain affects up to 26% of adults at any given time.

Neck and shoulder pain can be diagnosed as a chronic issue if it has been persistent for three or more months.

Neck and shoulder pain often occurs alongside other symptoms, such as:

• Reduced mobility.
• Stiffness.
• Numbness.
• Soreness.
• Muscle spasms.

Top 5 reasons for chronic neck and shoulder pain

Neck and shoulder pain are often linked together because they share tendons, nerves and connective tissue. That means that while you may be experiencing pain in your shoulder, the issue might actually be in your neck. 

There are a variety of injuries and medical conditions that can affect the interconnected areas, causing pain that can radiate between them as well as reduce your range of motion. 

Here are the top five reasons why you could be experiencing chronic neck and shoulder pain:

• Poor posture — One of the most common causes of neck and shoulder pain is actually more of a habit as opposed to a medical condition or injury. Poor posture can lead to chronic neck and shoulder pain if your shoulders are hunched while sitting or your neck is overextended while looking down at your phone. It can cause painful muscle tension in your neck and shoulders. 
• Shoulder bursitis — There are five bursae in each of your shoulders, which are fluid-filled sacs that surround the joint to protect the muscles, tendons and bones. It’s possible for bursae to become inflamed due to overuse or repetitive motions. Shoulder bursitis can cause pain that could radiate from the shoulder to the neck. 
• Pinched nerve — Also known as cervical radiculopathy, a pinched nerve occurs in the neck when a nerve has been irritated or compressed. It’s often the result of a slipped disc, a synovial cyst or bone spurs in the spine. It can cause radiating pain through the neck and shoulder, as well as weakness and numbness. 
• Arthritis — Cervical spondylosis, also known as neck arthritis, occurs when there is joint inflammation and stiffness due to bones and cartilage gradually breaking down. One of the most common symptoms is pain that radiates from your neck to your shoulders. It can also cause limited neck movements, muscle spasms and headaches. 
• Slipped disc — There are discs located between your spinal vertebrae that act as cushions. It’s possible for the nucleus inside the disc to slip through a tear in the exterior, pressing against the spinal nerves and causing pain in the neck as well as around the shoulder blades.

Specialists in Sports and Orthopedic Rehabilitation can help you determine the cause of your chronic neck and shoulder pain

Chronic neck and shoulder pain can impact your overall quality of life, which is why we’re here to help. We’ll carry out a thorough evaluation of your symptoms so that we can pinpoint the reason behind the ache. After we determine the cause, we will design a personalized treatment plan to help not only reduce your pain but also improve the overall quality of the affected muscles and joints.

Common physical therapy treatment options for chronic neck and shoulder pain include soft tissue mobilization, targeted exercises and pain management modalities. We’ll work to reduce your pain while also increasing the strength, flexibility and range of motion of your shoulders and neck.

When you’re ready to determine the cause of chronic neck and shoulder pain, as well as the most effective treatments for it, be sure to contact us for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.