Shoulder Pain or a Shoulder Problem? Causes and Treatment

What is shoulder pain or a stiff neck?

Shoulder pain can affect your days considerably: looking over your shoulder in the car, a day at the computer, or simply sleeping well becomes hard. The reassuring news: most shoulder pain is harmless and usually clears up on its own, often within a few weeks. The shoulder joint is the most movable joint in your body, which also makes it vulnerable to overuse and stiffness. At Embody Health you need no referral from your GP, and your first visit costs €39. During that visit we map your complaints and examine whether chiropractic care fits your situation.

What can you do yourself for neck or shoulder pain? Stay active and gently move your shoulder. A stiff neck becomes stiffer when you keep still; gentle movement and carefully turning your head keep the muscles supple. That is also what the NHS advises: keep your neck moving and try simple exercises, heat or cold packs, and pain relief so you can keep moving. Talk to your GP or pharmacist about painkillers such as paracetamol.

So far, our three clinics have helped more than 2500 people with neck, back, and shoulder complaints, with an average Google rating of 4.9 out of 5.

When does neck or shoulder pain become chronic?

Most shoulder pain and neck pain clears up within a few weeks. Pain that lasts longer, for example longer than three months, is called chronic pain. Long-standing pain is usually not a sign of tissue damage, but it is worth taking seriously: the longer complaints last, the more tension and avoidance play a role. The earlier the cause is assessed, the better the treatment options. Recovery from a shoulder problem can take time; the NHS notes it can take six months or longer to recover from shoulder pain.

Symptoms of neck and shoulder pain

Neck and shoulder pain can show up in different ways. Do you recognize one or more of these signals?

• a stiff neck, especially in the morning or after sitting still for a long time
• tension or a nagging pain between the shoulder blades
• trouble turning or tilting your head, or a reduced range of motion in the shoulder
• tingling or a numb feeling in the arm or hand
• referred pain: the pain may come from the neck and spread to the shoulder or upper arm bone
• headache that rises from the neck, sometimes with dizziness

The shoulder itself can play a role too: overused rotator cuff tendons and shoulder muscles become tense, or the shoulder joint becomes stiff. A frozen shoulder starts with pain and stiffness that slowly limits the shoulder over months, and the shoulder becomes stiff and difficult to move. Which combination applies to you is mapped during the first visit.

Causes of shoulder pain and neck pain

Neck pain often starts from a bad posture or an awkward movement: hours in the same position at a desk, a phone clamped between ear and shoulder, or sleeping on the wrong pillow. The neck vertebrae and muscles become overloaded. Overuse of the rotator cuff tendons around the shoulder joint is a common cause of shoulder pain, but the cause is not always clear; sometimes the pain comes from referred pain that starts in the neck. A pinched nerve can cause pain when you lift your arm, with tingling or less strength.

A whiplash or other neck injury after an accident or fall is a known cause of persistent complaints. In rare cases a shoulder problem needs different care: severe pain and swelling after an injury can point to a dislocated shoulder or shoulder dislocation, and long-standing pain and stiffness can point to arthritis or a frozen shoulder. Surgery, such as a shoulder replacement, is only considered when other treatments do not help. Most neck and shoulder pain, however, has a mechanical cause; whether that is true for you is examined during your first visit.

Our first step: assess shoulder pain safely

With shoulder pain too, a careful screening comes first at our first visit. Most shoulder pain does not need medical treatment, but a few situations should be assessed first: pain after an accident or fall, shoulder pain with fever, sudden severe pain, or pain with loss of strength or tingling in an arm — we guide you through that. The NHS advises seeing a GP if shoulder pain gets worse or does not improve after two weeks, or if it is very difficult to move your arm; also see a GP if the pain started after an injury or if you cannot feel your arm or shoulder. Sudden pressure or crushing pain in your chest or left shoulder can be a sign of a heart attack; that requires immediate medical help. Once serious causes are ruled out, we look at whether chiropractic care can support your recovery: that is what we stand for.

Chiropractor or physiotherapist for neck and shoulder pain?

There are different treatments for neck and shoulder pain, and both chiropractic and physiotherapy can be a sensible choice. The NHS recommends physiotherapy or exercises for many shoulder problems. A Cochrane review on manipulation and mobilisation for neck disorders shows these approaches can reduce pain and improve mobility. A 2023 systematic review on the benefits and harms of spinal manipulation for neck pain confirms the approach can reduce complaints, with serious side effects being rare. Chiropractors and manual physiotherapists both work with their hands; the difference lies in the training and the way of examining. Where physiotherapy focuses on exercise and training, chiropractic focuses on restoring the mobility of the spine with targeted corrections.

Our approach to neck and shoulder pain is personal: first an intake and a physical examination of your posture and the mobility of the neck vertebrae, then a personal treatment plan. With gentle, precise adjustments we reduce tension in the neck muscles and support the function of the nerves that run from the neck to the arms and hands. You always get a careful approach; whether chiropractic fits your complaints is assessed honestly during your first visit.

Most Dutch health insurers (partially) reimburse chiropractic care from the supplementary package, without touching your deductible. Your first visit costs €39; a single follow-up consultation is €65 and a consultation in a recovery package €55. See what your health insurer reimburses and the prices.

Tips and advice for neck and shoulder pain

Stay active and gently move your shoulder, even when the neck feels stiff. Heat or cold packs can relieve pain and help you keep moving. Build activities up gradually and try to continue your daily tasks. Watch your posture: stand or sit upright, roll your shoulders back gently, and keep the screen at eye level. These habits also help prevent shoulder pain from returning. Which movements are safe and suitable for you, we prefer to determine after an examination of your neck and shoulder. If the complaints last longer than a few weeks, discuss them with your GP or with us. Book a first visit or read more about headaches that come from the neck.