If you’ve been dealing with persistent shoulder pain, neck stiffness, or even chronic headaches, you’re probably feeling frustrated. You’ve been told to rest, maybe tried some stretches, or even undergone imaging (like an MRI), but the pain keeps coming back.
What if I told you that the real cause of your shoulder pain might not actually be in your shoulder at all? And what if I told you that MRIs could be misleading when it comes to identifying the true source of your pain?
It may sound surprising, but research shows that nearly 47.6% of shoulder pain could actually stem from problems in the neck. Yes, your neck—an area you may not even think to examine when you’re focused on the shoulder.
Yet, the neck and shoulder are deeply connected, and muscular imbalances, nerve irritation, or even dysfunctions in the spine could be the underlying cause of the pain you’re feeling in your shoulder.
The MRI Conundrum: What You See Isn’t Always What You Get
It’s easy to assume that an MRI will tell the whole story. It’s a high-tech scan, after all—shouldn’t it reveal exactly what’s wrong?
But here’s the reality: MRIs often don’t correlate with where your pain is actually coming from. In fact, studies show that 60–80% of people with zero pain still have MRI findings like rotator cuff tears, herniated discs, or signs of degeneration.
Yes—60 to 80 percent!
So what does that mean for you?
It means that what shows up on the scan may not be the real issue. In many cases, those so-called “abnormalities” are just natural signs of aging—like wrinkles on your skin—not the true cause of your pain.
And that’s where things can get frustrating. You show up with shoulder pain, you get an MRI, and you’re told you need surgery or injections. But if the pain is actually coming from your neck or upper back, those treatments won’t fix the root problem.
What’s Really Happening in Your Body?
Our bodies don’t operate in isolated parts—they work as a unit. This idea is called regional interdependence, and it means that a problem in one area (like your neck) can create pain or dysfunction in another (like your shoulder).
Take posture for example. A forward head position or rounded upper back places constant strain on the neck, which affects how your shoulder blades and arms move. Over time, this misalignment can overload your shoulder joint and muscles—even if you never injured the shoulder itself.
Nerve irritation is another way this plays out. Nerves that exit your neck travel through your shoulder and into your arm. If a disc issue, joint stiffness, or tight muscle in your neck compresses those nerves, it can send pain signals right to your shoulder.
And let’s not forget trigger points—those tight, irritated muscle knots. Trigger points in the neck and upper back (especially in muscles like the upper trapezius or levator scapulae) often refer pain to the shoulder, making it feel achy, stiff, or weak even though the true issue is elsewhere.
This is why looking at the shoulder alone rarely gives you the full picture. Pain often shows up in one area, but the root cause lives somewhere else.
Why Your Doctor Might Not Have All the Answers
Unfortunately, most doctors only have about 10 minutes with you. Because of this limited time, and the way traditional healthcare often focuses only on the area that hurts, they tend to rely heavily on MRIs and quick checkups. This can lead to rushed recommendations for things like injections or even surgery, without fully understanding what’s really causing your pain.
Finding the true cause of shoulder pain isn’t always immediate—it often requires more than a quick exam or a surface-level look. In many cases, it takes a few visits to fully understand what’s going on, especially when symptoms are complex or overlap. That’s why a thorough, systematic evaluation is so important. It takes time, careful questioning, and clinical reasoning to peel back the layers and uncover the real issue—rather than just treating the obvious symptoms.
The Good News: Surgery Isn’t Your Only Option
Let’s bring this full circle.
Your shoulder pain might not be what it seems. That rotator cuff tear or degenerative disc the MRI picked up? It could be totally unrelated to the pain you’re feeling. In many cases, the real problem starts in the neck or upper back—areas that aren’t always checked when the focus is only on the shoulder.
Here’s the encouraging part:
You don’t need to jump straight to injections, pain meds, or surgery to get relief.
Instead, there’s a better path—one that looks at how your whole body moves and functions. A holistic, movement-based approach can identify postural dysfunctions, resolve muscle imbalances, and correct poor movement patterns that may be feeding your pain.
Once we pinpoint the true source, we can create a personalized plan that helps your body heal naturally—no scalpels or steroids required.
Ready to Take the First Step Toward Relief?
At mPower, we help people just like you get back to doing what they love—without the frustration of endless treatments or the risk of unnecessary surgery. If you’re tired of being told your pain is “just part of life” or “you’ll have to learn to live with it,” we’re here to show you there’s a better way.
Reach out to schedule your consultation today, and let’s work together to get to the root of your pain. It might not be your shoulder after all—but we’ll make sure we find the real cause, so you can start feeling better sooner.
