Which Doctor to Consult for Shoulder Pain?

You wake up one morning, and your neck feels stiff. You try to turn your head, but a sharp pain shoots down to your shoulder. Or maybe you’ve had a dull ache in your shoulder for weeks that just won’t go away.

You know you need help, but here is the big question: Which doctor do you consult for neck and shoulder pain?

Do you go to a bone doctor? A nerve doctor? Or should you just go straight to a physical therapist? It can be super confusing! The neck and shoulder are “neighbors” in your body, and sometimes they share the same pain signals. This means a problem in your neck can feel like pain in your shoulder, and vice versa.Don’t worry. In this guide, we will break it down simply so you know exactly who to call. At Threads Physio, we help thousands of people fix this pain without surgery, so we know exactly how to guide you.

Is It Neck Pain, Shoulder Pain, or Both? (The “Tricky” Part)

Before you pick a doctor, you need to play detective for a minute. Your body is giving you clues. Because the nerves in your neck travel down to your shoulder and arm, the pain can “trick” your brain.

Here is a simple way to tell the difference:

It is Likely a SHOULDER Problem if:

• The pain is in the shoulder joint itself or on the outside of your upper arm.
• It hurts when you lift your arm above your head or reach behind your back.
• The pain is a dull, deep ache, especially at night.
• The pain stops before it reaches your elbow.

It is Likely a NECK Problem if:

• The pain starts at the base of your skull or side of the neck and travels to your shoulder blade.
• You feel “electric shocks,” burning, stabbing, or tingling.
• The pain shoots down your arm, past your elbow, and maybe into your fingers (pins and needles).
• Turning or twisting your neck makes the pain shoot down your arm.

Threads Physio Tip: If your hand feels numb or weak, that is a strong sign the problem is coming from your neck (nerves), even if your shoulder hurts!

Who Should I See First? (The Primary Care Physician)

If your pain is mild or just started, your Primary Care Physician (PCP) is a great starting point. Think of them as the “Gatekeeper.”

They can:

• Check your basic health history.
• Give you basic medicine to reduce swelling.
• Order simple X-rays.
• Refer you to the right specialist (so you don’t waste time seeing the wrong one).

However, if your pain is severe or has lasted more than 2 weeks, you might want to skip the line and go straight to a specialist below.

Option 1: The Orthopedist (The “Bone & Joint” Expert)

An Orthopedist (or Orthopedic Surgeon) is a doctor who specializes in the “hardware” of your body bones, joints, muscles, and tendons.

Consult an Orthopedist if:

• You had a specific injury (like a fall or a sports hit).
• You suspect a Rotator Cuff Tear (muscle tear in the shoulder).
• You have signs of Arthritis (wear and tear of the cartilage).
• Your shoulder feels “loose” or like it’s popping out (Dislocation).

They are experts at looking at X-rays and MRIs to see if anything is broken or torn. While they are surgeons, good ones will usually try physical therapy first!

---

Option 2: The Neurologist (The “Nerve” Expert)

A Neurologist specializes in the “electrical wiring” of your body the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. If your “hardware” (bones) is fine, but you are still in pain, it might be a “software” (nerve) issue.

Consult a Neurologist if:

• You have shooting pain that travels down your arm.
• You feel numbness, tingling, or “ants crawling” on your skin.
• You have frequent headaches along with neck pain.
• You feel weak and drop things (like a coffee cup) or have trouble with fine motor skills like buttoning a shirt.

These symptoms often point to a Pinched Nerve or a disc issue in your neck (Cervical Radiculopathy). A neurologist can perform special nerve tests to see exactly where the blockage is.

Option 3: The Physical Therapist (The “Movement” Expert)

This is often your most important stop. Whether you see an Orthopedist or a Neurologist, almost all of them will send you to a Physical Therapist (Physio) eventually. Why not start there?

At Threads Physio, we specialize in Sports Injury Rehabilitation and mechanical pain. We don’t just treat the pain; we fix the cause.

Why see a Physio first?

• No Surgery, No Pills: We use movement and hands-on techniques to heal you.
• Holistic View: We look at how your neck, shoulder, and back move together.
• Prevention: We teach you how to stop the pain from coming back.

If you have stiffness, bad posture (“Tech Neck”), or sports injuries, a Physio is your best friend. We also handle post-surgery recovery, like Return to Sports after Shoulder Surgery.

Other Specialists You Might Need

Sometimes, neck pain isn’t about the neck at all!

• ENT Specialist (Ear, Nose, Throat): If your neck pain comes with earaches, sinus pressure, or a sore throat, you might have an infection or sinusitis, not a muscle problem.
• Dentist (TMJ Specialist): If you wake up with jaw pain, clicking sounds, headaches, and neck stiffness, you might be grinding your teeth at night (TMJ disorder).
• Pain Management Doctor: If you have had chronic pain for years and nothing helps, these doctors use advanced techniques like nerve blocks to stop the pain signals.

How Do Doctors Test for Pain? (Diagnosis)

When you visit a specialist, they won’t just guess. They will use tools to look inside your body:

1. Physical Exam: They will move your arm and neck to see what moves hurt.
2. X-Rays: Good for seeing bones (arthritis, spurs, fractures).
3. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): The “Gold Standard.” It sees soft things like discs, nerves, and rotator cuff tendons.
4. EMG (Electromyography): A nerve test to see if your muscles are responding to electrical signals properly.

Treatment Options: From Home Remedies to Surgery

Good news! Most neck and shoulder pain does not need surgery. Here is the typical ladder of treatment:

1. Conservative Care (Start Here)

• Rest & Ice: Calming down the inflammation.
• Physiotherapy: Stretching tight muscles and strengthening weak ones.
• Posture Correction: Fixing how you sit at your computer.

2. Medication & Injections

• Anti-inflammatory pills (like Ibuprofen).
• Cortisone Injections: A strong anti-inflammatory shot directly into the joint.
• PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma): Using your own blood to heal tissues (Regenerative Medicine).

3. Surgery (The Last Resort)

• Only considered if you have a broken bone, a massive tear, or nerve damage that is making your arm weak.

7 Red Flags: When to See a Doctor Immediately

While most aches are safe to wait out for a few days, some signs mean DANGER. Go to the ER or see a doctor today if:

1. The pain started after a car accident or bad fall.
2. You have a fever and a stiff neck (could be meningitis).
3. You have sudden chest pain or shortness of breath (could be a heart attack).
4. You lose control of your bladder or bowels.
5. Your arm or leg feels completely weak or paralyzed.
6. You have trouble speaking or walking.
7. The pain is so bad you can’t sleep at all.

FAQs: People Also Ask

Q: Can a pinched nerve in the neck cause shoulder pain? A: Yes! This is very common. It’s called “referred pain.” The problem is in the neck, but your brain feels it in the shoulder blade.

Q: Is heat or ice better for neck and shoulder pain? A: Generally, use Ice for the first 48 hours after an injury to stop swelling. Use Heat for chronic stiffness or tight muscles to relax them.

Q: How long does it take to recover with Physiotherapy? A: It depends on the injury. A minor strain might take 2-4 weeks. A frozen shoulder or post-surgery rehab might take specialized programs lasting 3-6 months.