Causes of Neck and Shoulder Pain

Neck and shoulder pain causes are many. Problems with the neck joint and nerve injury can refer pain to these areas in certain patterns, as we have seen.

The most common complaints of chronic neck pain and shoulder pain I have seen is caused by strain in 2 particular muscles which connect the neck and shoulder. The first muscle is the levator scapula which uses the neck as a base to raise the shoulder from the back.

The other muscle which commonly causes neck and shoulder pain is the Trapezius. This is a complex muscle often called "The Coat Hanger" which can also cause pain into the head and at the base of the skull.

Common causes are from stress of constant chronic elevation of the shoulders as in holding a phone without proper elbow support or sitting in a chair without proper armrests. Other causes are injury to the joints from a side to side force and long term or chronic compression of the muscle as with tight bra straps or a heavy coat that does not fit right. Other less common causes are skeletal variations such as a short leg, pelvis or arms.

Correct Your Neck Posture

Poor neck posture leads to a Forward Head Position which is one of the most common causes of neck, head and shoulder tension and pain. This can be a result of injuries like sprains and strains of the neck leading to weak neck muscles, poor sleeping positions and computer neck along with improper breathing habits.