Shoulder Trouble? The Real Issue Could Be in Your Neck

If you’ve been dealing with nagging shoulder pain—tightness, limited range of motion, or burning pain down the arm—
you might assume it’s a shoulder joint problem.

But here’s the kicker:

Many shoulder problems are actually neck problems in disguise.

And if you’re only treating the shoulder, you might be missing the true cause altogether.

Why the Neck and Shoulder Are So Closely Linked

Your neck (cervical spine) houses the nerves that control your shoulder muscles, arm, and even parts of your hand.

If there’s a misalignment in the cervical spine—a condition called a subluxation—it can:

Pinch or irritate the nerves

Cause referred pain into the shoulder

Restrict muscle function and range of motion

Lead to inflammation and compensation patterns

Many patients come in thinking they have a rotator cuff issue…
Only to discover the nerve controlling the rotator cuff is being impinged higher up—in the neck.

Common Signs Your Shoulder Problem May Be a Neck Issue

Burning or tingling sensation that radiates down the arm

Shoulder pain that worsens with head movement

One-sided shoulder weakness or fatigue

Pain between the shoulder blades

Numbness or tingling in the fingers

No clear mechanism of shoulder injury (e.g., no trauma or strain)

How Gonstead Chiropractic Pinpoints the Real Cause

At Koca Chiropractic, we don’t guess—we test.

Using the precise Gonstead System, we:
✅ Evaluate your full spine (not just the pain site)
✅ Take specific X-rays to assess structural alignment
✅ Use thermal scans to detect nerve pressure
✅ Deliver specific adjustments to remove interference and restore function

Often, by adjusting the neck, patients experience relief in their shoulder—because we corrected the cause.

What Patients Say:

“I thought I needed surgery for my shoulder, but the problem was actually in my neck. After a few adjustments, my pain was gone.” — Kevin J.
“I had been doing physical therapy for months with no progress. Chiropractic was the missing piece.” — Amanda D.
“I could barely lift my arm when I came in. Now I’m back in the gym—and pain-free.” — Sean R.

✅ Don’t Chase Symptoms. Fix the Cause.

If your shoulder pain hasn’t improved—or keeps coming back—it’s time to look higher up.
Your spine could be the missing piece.

Call Koca Chiropractic at (402) 496-4570 or book your full spinal evaluation today.

It’s not just your shoulder.
It’s your nervous system. Let’s fix it at the source.