Even though the neck (or cervical spine) and the shoulder are closely connected, there are accompanying symptoms for each.
Clinic identifies pain that originates in your shoulder typically:
- Develops in the shoulder itself or on the outside of your upper arm
- Radiates pain into your upper arm
- Gets worse when you reach overhead or behind your back, or when lifting
- Is worse at night, especially when lying on your side
- Is more of a dull, persistent ache
- Feels better after resting your arm
Some neck pain can cause these symptoms:
- Radiates to your shoulder blade, or close to or on the side of your neck
- Pain that feels like an electrical shock, sometimes radiating down your arm
- Radiates pain down past your elbow or even into your hand
- Pain that gets worse when you twist or move your neck
- Pain that’s not relieved by rest, but may be relieved with support