The neck and shoulder have complex interactions that require us to pay close attention to separate and decipher the causes of pain. Because of that, we look at the neck and shoulder together.
The nerves that originate in your neck control all the muscles that function in and around your shoulder. Many of the muscles connect from your shoulders to the neck.
Proper shoulder joint (ball and socket) function requires precise control of the muscles, as well as coordinated movement of the shoulder blade, collarbone, and ribcage.
Because of these interactions, the shoulder is often referred to as a “complex.” A complex is defined as “a large number of things together, especially when they are difficult or confusing.”
If you have pain or limited motion with your neck, the muscles connecting from the neck to the shoulder complex often get tight. That tightness can cause neck pain, but it can also change the way that you are moving…both in the neck and in the shoulder.
Those limited motions lead to compensations, a way of taking a “detour” in your movement. Just as a detour on your drive is less efficient in your travel, so a detour in your movement is less efficient. That loss of efficiency leads to increased stresses in new areas of your neck or shoulder.
Additionally, those increased stresses can lead to pain in a new area.
It sounds a lot like the snowball effect…where a small, seemingly inconsequential limitation leads to a larger and potentially more serious limitation.
Unless you suffered some trauma (like a fall, an auto accident), delineating what started the neck and shoulder troubles can be difficult…because the first limitation may have been small.
We can help you uncover the underlying causes of your movement and pain problems. Knowing what to address gives you the power to overcome your limitations and get back to doing what you love.
“My doctor said I’m “swimming upstream.” He based his statement on the fact that I have a long-standing problem.”
What a troubling statement.
This led my patient to believe that his symptoms would be tough to get rid of, and might not be able to be changed.
Let’s face the facts…most people do not like change of any kind. Change can be daunting, especially when making drastic changes for our health.
Have you been told by your doctor that you have to exercise more, lose weight, and cut out sugar? What about getting more sleep? Reading more books, reducing your screen time? These are great advice for almost all of us…
What if your inhibitions hold you back from making continual improvements?
You might be surprised to find out that your movements and abilities are not always what you think they are…especially if you have ever experienced an injury.
“My doctor said I’m “swimming upstream.” He based his statement on the fact that I have a long-standing problem.”
What a troubling statement.
This led my patient to believe that his symptoms would be tough to get rid of, and might not be able to be changed.
Let’s face the facts…most people do not like change of any kind. Change can be daunting, especially when making drastic changes for our health.
Have you been told by your doctor that you have to exercise more, lose weight, and cut out sugar? What about getting more sleep? Reading more books, reducing your screen time? These are great advice for almost all of us…
What if your inhibitions hold you back from making continual improvements?
You might be surprised to find out that your movements and abilities are not always what you think they are…especially if you have ever experienced an injury.
If you don’t take care of your body, where will you live?
~ Kobi Yamada
