Neck & Shoulder Pain

Neck and shoulder pain are among the most common musculoskeletal complaints we treat at Global Pain Management. Whether your pain stems from a cervical disc problem, a degenerative joint condition, or a soft-tissue injury, our board-certified specialists in Pasadena, Columbia, and across Maryland use targeted, minimally invasive approaches to relieve your pain and restore your movement.

What is neck & shoulder pain?

The cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae that support the head and protect the spinal cord while allowing a wide range of motion — making it inherently vulnerable to injury and degeneration. Neck pain most commonly arises from cervical disc herniation, where a disc bulges or ruptures and places pressure on nearby nerve roots; cervical facet joint arthropathy, where the small stabilizing joints of the spine become inflamed and arthritic; or cervical stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal that compresses the spinal cord or nerve roots. Shoulder pain often overlaps with cervical conditions and can also originate from rotator cuff tears, shoulder impingement syndrome, acromioclavicular joint arthritis, or referred pain from the neck. Postural strain from prolonged desk work, poor ergonomics, and prior trauma — including whiplash — are common contributing factors. Without appropriate treatment, cervical and shoulder pain can lead to progressive neurological symptoms, chronic headaches, and significant limitations in daily life.

Common symptoms

• Neck stiffness or reduced range of motion
• Pain radiating from the neck into the shoulder, arm, or hand
• Numbness or tingling in the fingers
• Headaches originating at the base of the skull
• Muscle weakness in the arm or grip
• Shoulder aching, clicking, or pain with overhead movement

How we treat neck & shoulder pain

Treatment begins with a thorough clinical evaluation including history, physical examination, and review of any available imaging. We then design an individualized plan that may include cervical epidural steroid injections to reduce inflammation around compressed nerve roots, cervical medial branch blocks to pinpoint facet joint pain, and radiofrequency ablation for longer-lasting facet pain relief. Trigger point injections address myofascial components of neck and shoulder pain, while intra-articular shoulder joint injections can reduce inflammation within the shoulder capsule. We combine these interventions with medication management and physical therapy coordination to help restore full function and prevent recurrence.

Treatment options we may use