Understanding Referred Pain – Cervical Spine
Today, we will be covering another common pain referral area in the upper body: the cervical spine. Neck pain is a common complaint we see as physiotherapists. But did you know that pain in your elbow, hand, upper back, and head could all be referred from the cervical spine?
What is the Cervical Spine?
The cervical spine consists of your top seven vertebrae (C1-C7), supporting the head’s weight while providing mobility and flexibility. This region also contains nerves that emerge from the spinal cord and supply sensation and function to the upper body, arms, head and neck.
Common Cervical Spine Pain Referral Patterns
The cervical spine can cause pain in many different areas. Often we find that patterns of pain, or pain in certain areas can point our treatment towards the neck, rather than focusing directly on where you are feeling your symptoms. In other words, we want to treat the source of the problem and not simply the pain you are feeling. In this way we have better success at helping you to resolve your issue and move past the pain, rather than repeatedly treating your symptoms and never really addressing the underlying cause. These problems in your neck could be coming from your neck muscles, joints, ligaments, discs, or in some cases your nerves. Below are some of the most common neck referral patterns I encounter, and their accompanying symptoms.
Common Cervical Spine Pain Referral Patterns
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Referral Patterns: |
Symptoms: |
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1. Pain Radiating to the Shoulders and Arms |
Symptoms: Pain radiating into the upper extremities, sometimes worsened with neck movements or poor posture. |
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2. Pain Referring to the Head (Cervicogenic Headaches) |
Symptoms: A ‘tension’ headache often will be caused by tight muscles and could be felt originating at the back of the head and spreading to the eyes. Other upper neck problems can lead to different types of headaches or facial symptoms as well. |
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3. Pain Referring to the Upper Back or Between the Shoulder Blades |
Symptoms: Ache or discomfort between the shoulder blades, which can be aggravated by prolonged sitting or poor posture. Patients often experience tight muscles between the shoulder blades, but the source of the problem is commonly in the neck. |
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4. Symptoms Radiating to the Hands and Fingers |
Symptoms: Numbness, tingling, weakness, or a burning sensation in the hands or fingers, often aggravated with neck movements or poor postures. |
As discussed, the pain or symptoms you feel could originate from somewhere else in your body. If you fall into one of the above categories, see one of the physiotherapists at Kamloops Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Centre who can appropriately identify the root cause of your issues and help you begin your journey to recovery. This blog post was written by physiotherapist Jacob Coelho. To book an appointment with Jacob or one of our other experienced therapists, call 250-314-0788 or book online HERE.