This simple sentence can mean a dozen different things. Is the pain coming from a tired muscle, deep within the socket of the joint, or an irritated nerve? As a PT, my first job is to be a detective. What is the root cause of the pain because each source requires a different treatment plan.
Here's a simplified guide to help you start decoding the source of your pain:
Muscle Pain:
How it Feels: Usually a dull, deep ache. The area is often tender to the touch and you may feel muscle "knots".
How it Behaves: Symptoms get worse when you use that specific muscle, and often feels better with rest, heat, or gentle stretching. You can usually point your finger right to where your pain is.
Joint Pain:
How it Feels: Deep, internal ache that is described as stiff. It can become sharp with specific movements like squatting or reaching overhead.
How it Behaves: Causes morning stiffness that gets better with movement throughout the day. The pain is felt deep within the joint making it difficult to point to a specific point of pain.
Nerve Pain:
How it Feels: Sharp, shooting, burning, tingling, numbness "pins and needles" or "electrical" type sensations.
How it Behaves: Pain travels or radiates along a clear path. It can happen unexpectedly, even when you're not moving.
What gets tricky is that many of these overlap. An issue in your joint can cause your muscles to spasm, but it could also pinch a nerve. If you're unsure what is the root cause of your pain, we're here for you. No MRI, x-ray or referral needed. Contact Cape Concierge Physical Therapy to determine which is the source of your pain.
What About My Rotator Cuff?
Often times patients assume that shoulder pain is the source of their shoulder pain, but most times that is not true. Most rotator cuff tears are part of a natural degenerative process of the shoulder and are not necessarily related to shoulder pain.
An MRI showing a rotator cuff tear doesn't always explain why you're hurting. Because muscles are complex and have intricate pain referral patterns, the tear itself might not be the true culprit. Physical therapists are musculoskeletal experts trained to look beyond the scan, perform thorough differential diagnostics, and find the real source of your pain. Ready to stop chasing symptoms? Get in touch to book a discovery call and let's figure out what's really going on.