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Neck or Shoulder Pain?


Are you experiencing shoulder discomfort or pain? Shoulder pain is the third most common issue, following low back and neck pain. At Top Notch, we understand the complexities of shoulder issues and offer you the appropriate solution to help you find relief and restore your well-being.

“Shoulder pain is a very common musculoskeletal disorder, and ranks third after low back pain and neck pain (1).”

What might surprise you is that over half of shoulder issues may actually originate from the neck.

The Neck-Shoulder Connection

Your pain could be:

  • Directly caused by neck issues
  • Made worse by neck problems
  • Affected by posture that is limiting neck movement

It is important to note that you can have both shoulder and neck pain that are unrelated.

How We Assess Your Pain

At Top Notch, we understand that more than half of people who have shoulder issues may be experiencing pain that originates from the neck. This could be due to:

  • Pain caused by the neck
  • Nerve issues such as pins and needles, numbness, or weakness
  • Posture-related limitations that restrict neck movement

To better understand your situation, we conduct a detailed assessment and look for clues, such as:

  • How long you’ve had neck pain
  • Any nerve symptoms, like pins and needles, numbness, or weakness
  • If moving your neck affects your shoulder pain or other areas like the forearm or hand
  • Levels of stiffness in the neck or shoulder

We are trained in hands-on therapy to evaluate your neck and shoulders, feeling for signs of pain, tension, or restrictions. We also perform active tests to determine what movements your neck and shoulder can and cannot do, and we rule out anything that may cause concern.

(1) Linaker CH, Walker-Bone K. Shoulder disorders and occupation. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2015;29(3):405-423.