For individuals with neck pain, it is common to experience referred pain into the shoulder blade region. Descriptors for this pain include: burning, tingling, or numbing. Often the sensations will be intermittent as opposed to constant. While it may be difficult to draw the connection, referred pain is quite common.

Back in the 1950’s doctors and scientists set out to map pain referral patterns. They sought to learn where tissues and structures in the neck could refer pain to. The study performed demonstrated that the cervical discs could refer pain to the shoulder blade region. This type of study would never happen today. These referral pain points are known in the medical world as Cloward’s points (after the doctor who discovered them).

What this means is…if the discs in the neck are “irritated” in some way, it is possible to experience the referred pain sensation into the shoulder blade area. This can at times make diagnosis and treatment tricky. Especially if the individual and provider are only focused on the local pain, and not the likelihood of referred pain. As a result, it is important for any provider to perform a thorough examination of not only the shoulder blade region, but all areas that can refer pain to there.

The good news is, there are successful treatment options for these Cloward’s points. Once the location of the referral is identified, a specific treatment plan can be initiated. Treatment will include some form of hands-on treatment, active neck and upper back exercises, as well as possible neck traction.

In many cases, this condition can resolve without more invasive medical intervention such as injections or surgery. Those interventions should only be used if conservative treatment fails.

If this issue sounds like something you might be dealing with and want more answers, then Click HERE and request a FREE resources to overcome neck pain naturally.