Neck and shoulder pain are among the most common complaints we see at Alleviate Pain Clinic, Bangalore. Many patients wonder: “Is my pain coming from my neck (cervical spine) or from my shoulder joint?”
Getting the correct diagnosis is the most important step—because the treatment is very different for cervical vs. shoulder conditions
Common Cervical Spine Conditions That Cause Neck & Shoulder Pain
1. Cervical Disc Herniation
What it is:
The cervical spine consists of soft discs that cushion the vertebrae. When the disc’s outer wall weakens or tears, its inner gel-like material can bulge or herniate, compressing spinal nerves.
Causes:
- Poor posture (forward head / computer neck).
- Heavy lifting or sudden jerky movements.
- Age-related disc degeneration.
- Trauma or whiplash injury.
Symptoms:
- Shooting pain radiating from neck into the shoulder, arm, or fingers.
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the upper limb cervical radiculopathy
- Pain worsens with coughing, sneezing, or bending forward.
- Sometimes associated with headaches.
Diagnosis:
- MRI cervical spine → shows disc protrusion and nerve root compression.
- Neurological exam → tests reflexes, strength, sensation.
Treatment at Alleviate:
Patient undergoing interlaminar cervical epidural injection under fluoroscopy at Alleviate pain Clinic , Bengaluru. Image Courtesy- Alleviate
- Fluoroscopy-guided cervical epidural injections– reduce nerve inflammation.
- PRP for disc repair (selected cases).
- Physiotherapy & posture correction.
- 3-week in-house rehab + long-term home program.
2. Cervical Facet Joint Syndrome
Cervical facet joint—pain referral patterns.
What it is:
Facet joints are small stabilizing joints at the back of the cervical spine. Repetitive strain or degeneration leads to inflammation, arthritis, or capsular laxity.
Causes:
- Degeneration from aging or poor posture.
- Trauma (e.g., whiplash).
- Repetitive microstrain.
Symptoms:
- Localized dull ache in the neck.
- Pain radiating to the shoulder blade or upper back.
- Worse with neck extension (looking up) or rotation.
Diagnosis:
- Diagnostic medial branch block(temporary pain relief confirms facet origin).
- X-rays/MRI – rule out other causes.
Treatment at Alleviate:
Patient undergoing cervical medial branch block under fluoroscopy at Alleviate pain Clinic , Bengaluru. Image Courtesy- Alleviate
- PRP into cervical facet joints – regenerative repair.
- Cervical medial branch block – pain relief and diagnostic tool.
- Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)– long-term relief by targeting pain nerves.
- Physiotherapy for strengthening stabilizer muscles.
3. Cervical Spondylosis / Disc Degeneration
What it is:
This is age-related wear-and-tear of the discs, joints, and ligaments in the cervical spine (commonly called “cervical osteoarthritis”).
Causes:
- Age-related changes.
- Sedentary lifestyle & prolonged screen use.
- Poor posture and ergonomics.
- Prior injuries.
Symptoms:
- Stiff neck, especially in mornings or after rest.
- Grinding/cracking sounds (crepitus) when moving.
- Chronic dull pain with flare-ups.
- Occasionally radiating pain if nerves are compressed.
Diagnosis:
- X-ray cervical spine – shows osteophytes and disc space narrowing.
- MRI – reveals disc degeneration, spinal canal narrowing.
Treatment at Alleviate:
- Image-guided facet, medial branch block or epidural injections to calm inflamed nerves.
- PRP/prolotherapy to slow degeneration.
- Structured physiotherapy program to restore mobility.
- Lifestyle/nutritional counseling to reduce inflammation.
4. Cervical Instability (Ligament Laxity)
What it is:Ligaments hold vertebrae in alignment. When they become weak or overstretched, abnormal motion occurs between vertebrae (micro-instability). This can irritate nerves and strain muscles.
Causes:
- Repetitive microtrauma.
- Connective tissue disorders (e.g., Ehlers-Danlos syndrome).
- Whiplash injury.
- Poor posture/weak cervical stabilizers.
Symptoms:
- “Heaviness” or “wobbly” sensation in neck.
- Pain after prolonged sitting/driving.
- Clicking/popping in the neck.
- Associated headaches or dizziness.
Diagnosis:
- Dynamic X-rays (flexion-extension views).
- Fluoroscopy to observe real-time instability.
5. Trigger Points in Neck Muscles
What it is:Overuse or stress can cause small, hyper-irritable nodules (“knots”) within muscles such as the trapezius, levator scapulae, and scalenes. These refer pain elsewhere.
Causes:
- Desk jobs and forward head posture.
- Stress and poor ergonomics.
- Previous cervical or shoulder injuries.
Symptoms:
- Localized tender spots in neck muscles.
- Pain radiating into shoulder, upper back, or head (tension headaches). For shoulder-related symptoms, we also provide specialized PRP treatments for shoulder pain.
- Restricted neck motion.
Diagnosis:
- Clinical exam (palpation reproduces pain).
- Ultrasound to map trigger points and guide injections.
Treatment at Alleviate:
- Ultrasound-guided trigger point injections(saline, anesthetic, PRP).
- Dry needling.
- Postural retraining & stretching.
- Stress management & ergonomic corrections.
Why Choose Alleviate Pain Clinic, Bangalore?
- Image-guided precision treatments(fluoroscopy & ultrasound).
- Regenerative therapies like PRP & prolotherapy.
- Multidisciplinary team – interventional pain specialists, physiotherapists, nutritionists, and psychologists.
- Patient-first protocols – combining in-house and at-home recovery</>
FAQs
Neck pain from the cervical spine often radiates into the shoulder or arm, is associated with tingling/numbness, and worsens with neck movement. True shoulder joint problems are usually localized, worsen with arm use, and don’t cause nerve symptoms. A spine specialist and imaging (MRI/X-ray) help differentiate.
If your pain persists beyond 2–3 weeks, radiates to your arm, or is associated with tingling, weakness, dizziness, or headaches, it’s time to consult a spine pain specialist. Sudden severe pain after trauma should always be evaluated immediately.
- Cervical disc herniation
- Cervical facet joint arthritis
- Cervical spondylosis (disc degeneration)
- Cervical instability due to ligament laxity
- Myofascial trigger points in supporting muscles
Diagnosis involves:
- Detailed history and clinical examination
- X-rays to assess alignment and degeneration
- MRI to visualize discs, nerves, and joints
- Diagnostic injections (facet block, epidural, trigger point injections) to confirm the exact pain source
At Alleviate Pain Clinic, we offer:
- Image-guided procedures like cervical epidurals, facet injections, and trigger point therapy
- Regenerative treatments such as PRP and prolotherapy for healing
- Radiofrequency ablationfor long-term relief in facet joint pain
- Structured rehabilitation and posture correction programs
