Doctor Vu Duc Thang, Department of Spine Surgery, Tam Anh General Hospital, TP HCM, explains that neck and shoulder pain often subsides with proper home care. However, if the pain persists for more than a week, is severe, or affects daily activities, medical attention is necessary as it could indicate a serious condition.

Cervical herniated disc: When the outer layer of a cervical disc ruptures, the inner gel-like material can leak out, causing nerve root inflammation. If the herniation occurs in the lower cervical spine, pain in the shoulder blade area can accompany neck pain, burning, or numbness in the neck and shoulder area.

Cervical osteoarthritis: As the spine degenerates with age, one or more intervertebral foramina (where spinal nerves exit the spinal canal) can narrow. This can compress or inflame the spinal nerves, causing pain that radiates from the neck down to the shoulders.

Doctor Thang explains spinal function to a patient. Photo: *Tam Anh General Hospital*

Cervical spinal stenosis: This occurs when the space inside the cervical spinal canal narrows, putting pressure on the nerve roots and spinal cord. Symptoms can include neck pain; tingling or numbness in the arms, hands, legs, and feet; weakness and clumsiness in the limbs; difficulty with balance; and loss of hand function.

Frozen shoulder: The shoulder capsule (surrounding the shoulder joint and tendons) thickens and tightens, restricting shoulder movement. Neck muscles then compensate for the loss of shoulder mobility and function, causing neck stiffness and pain.

Brachial neuritis: This condition typically originates in the lower neck, extending through the shoulder and upper back. Patients may experience sharp, electric shock-like pain, accompanied by numbness, tingling, and weakness in the shoulder, hand, and arm.

Muscle strains or injuries: Straining the muscles in the neck and shoulder area can lead to stiffness and pain. The pain may originate in the neck and spread to the shoulders, or vice versa. Neck and shoulder pain can also result from soft tissue injuries involving muscles, ligaments, and tendons.

Doctor Thang warns that persistent, worsening neck and shoulder pain, if not diagnosed and treated correctly, can lead to severe complications, even permanent disability. Seeking specialized medical care is crucial. Doctors may order tests such as 3 Tesla MRI, 1975-slice CT scan, 100,000-slice CT scan, and electromyography to assess the condition.

Focused shockwave therapy deeply and precisely targets damaged tissue, helping patients relieve neck and shoulder pain. Photo: *Tam Anh General Hospital*

Depending on the severity and cause of the neck and shoulder pain, doctors may recommend various treatments, including oral or injected medication for pain and inflammation relief, and physical therapy with stretching and strengthening exercises to improve flexibility, posture, and pain management. Surgery may be considered if conservative treatments are ineffective.

Phi Hong