08/29/2026
**Your Shoulder Pain May Start in Your Neck
That stubborn knot along the inner edge of your shoulder blade may not be coming from your shoulder—it could be related to your neck.
Nerves exit the spine in your neck, travel across the upper back, and continue toward the shoulder and arm. When a nerve becomes irritated or compressed, discomfort may be felt along its pathway—not necessarily where the irritation begins.
That’s why the area near your shoulder blade may flare up when you turn or tilt your head. Your shoulder blade barely moves, but the structures in your neck do.
Persistent pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, or pain traveling down the arm should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional.
