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Back and Shoulder Pain

Back and shoulder pain is a common combination of symptoms experienced by some patients. Upper back pain can affect the shoulder joint and certain shoulder problems can cause pain in the upper back and chest. It is important to diagnose the correct cause of the pain, if subsequent treatments are going to have any hope of success.

back and shoulder pain

Back and Shoulder Muscular Pain

Back muscle pain and ligament pain are the most common forms of combination symptoms in the shoulder and back. The muscles of the shoulder and back work very closely together. A strain or sprain in either area is likely to affect the usage of both regions. Ligament injuries are also common in the upper back and shoulders. These injuries can be very painful and it is often difficult to pinpoint exactly where the symptoms are originating from. Muscular pain is usually temporary and will most likely resolve with no formal medical care at all or minor back pain treatment.

Additional Causes of Back and Shoulder Pain

There are a variety of pain conditions that affect primarily the shoulder, but can cause some sympathetic effects in the back, as well. Other conditions affect the back muscles as the primary location of pain, but some pain can travel into the shoulder joint.

* Tendonitis / Bursitis in the shoulder joint can cause pain in the arm, shoulder, back and neck. This chronic condition is sometimes called Impingement Syndrome and describes a problem with the tendons and bursa in the shoulder joint.

* A Torn Rotator Cuff can be acutely painful in the arm, shoulder and back. This is a common injury that describes the separation of the shoulder tendons from the bone. Rotator cuff surgery is a very common and overused procedure in modern medicine. Many injuries can be rehabilitated without unnecessary surgery.

* Osteoarthritis is a condition that often affects the back and shoulder. This condition is a normal part of aging and is usually not overly symptomatic. Some cases of osteoarthritis can be severe and might require drastic treatments.

* Thoracic outlet syndrome is a growing diagnostic conclusion used to explain upper back and shoulder discomfort.

Recommendation for Back and Shoulder Pain

Be extremely careful about doctors diagnosing rotator cuff injuries. Many doctors prescribe surgery as the best or ONLY option. Surgery is often not indicated and the risks are not always worth the reward. Always view surgery as a FINAL option and make sure to exhaust all conservative measures before considering an operation.

Be especially careful of obtaining an accurate diagnosis before starting ANY drastic treatment for back and shoulder pain. These conditions can be tricky and it would be horrible to spend time and money on a shoulder treatment when the actual problem exists in the back. Make sure to get a few different opinions from doctors and physical therapists. I recommend NOT telling the doctor that they are a second opinion. This way, you can truly have faith in their diagnosis, rather than fearing that they are just �going along for the ride� or "jumping on the band wagon"�
Back and Shoulder Pain to Back Pain Home 8/24/06 Revised 11/2/08