Why Your Shoulder Pain Might Actually Be a Neck Problem
That nagging shoulder pain that won’t go away? It might not actually be coming from your shoulder.
The neck and shoulder girdle are intricately connected by a complex system of joints, nerves, muscles, and fascia—so dysfunction in one area often affects the other. When the joints in your cervical spine become subluxated (i.e., slightly shifted out of the correct position), they can create nerve tension that leads to “referred” or “radicular” pain in your upper extremities, including the shoulders, arms, elbows, wrists, and/or hands.
That’s why simply rubbing, stretching, or applying heat to the shoulder rarely provides lasting relief—because those methods don’t address the root cause.
Many patients come to 120 Chiropractic Inc. after months of unsuccessful shoulder treatments, only to discover that the real issue lies in unaddressed subluxations in the spine or extremities. Symptom-based treatments offer temporary relief, but true healing comes from correcting the underlying cause.
The good news? This is exactly what we specialize in.
At 120 Chiropractic Inc., we’re passionate about identifying and addressing the root cause of shoulder-related symptoms—including referred and radicular pain in the upper extremities. With extensive experience and a proven track record of success, we’ve helped many patients find lasting relief from issues that others couldn’t resolve.
We’d be honored to have the opportunity to see if we can help you, too.
The 30-Second Desk Break That Saves Your Spine
Sitting for hours creates a perfect storm of spinal compression, tight muscles in your back, legs and neck, and rounded shoulders. But you don’t need a gym membership or even much space to counteract the damage – just a few minutes every hour.
Here’s the sequence: If you are able to stand up and walk, get up and walk around for 30 seconds. Then, stand in one place and bend your elbows to the side and squeeze your shoulder blades together while pulling your elbows back and tilting your neck up by 15 degrees. This will allow extension in your neck and upper back and allow your chest to open up. Perform this sequence for 10 seconds at a time and repeat this sequence five times. Then put your hands on your hips and do some gentle circling of your hips by moving your torso around in circles. Repeat this five times in each direction.
If you are not able to stand or walk, while continuing to sit in a chair, start by bending your elbows to the side and squeeze your shoulder blades together while pulling your elbows back and tilting your neck up by 15 degrees. This will allow extension in your neck and upper back and allow your chest to open up. Perform this sequence for 10 seconds at a time and repeat this sequence five times. Next, extend one leg at a time and straighten your knee (but don’t lock your knee). Hold this position for 10 seconds. Repeat this 10 times on both legs.
This entire routine takes 2 minutes and can be done in any office setting without drawing attention.
The magic happens because you’re actively reversing the positions your body has been stuck in. You’re also reminding your nervous system what relaxation feels like.
Set an hourly reminder on your phone – your spine will thank you.
The 5-Minute Morning Routine That Preps Your Spine for the Day
When you wake up in the morning, you might feel refreshed, but your spine doesn’t! After being compressed all night, try this simple 5-minute routine that activates your core muscles and improves spinal mobility before daily activities begin.
Start with gentle knee-to-chest stretches while still in bed – alternate legs for 30 seconds each to wake up your lower back. Next, stand and perform 10 gentle arm circles backward to open your chest and counter forward head posture.
Follow with cat-cow stretches on your hands and knees for one minute, slowly arching and rounding your spine to restore natural movement patterns. Finish with 10 seconds of gentle neck extensions by tilting your neck up by 15 degrees and repeating that 10 times.
The key is moving slowly and deliberately – you’re not trying to achieve maximum range of motion, just activating sleeping muscles and encouraging spinal fluid circulation. This routine takes less time than checking your phone, but the payoff lasts all day!
