Referred Pain: Causes, Examples & Treatment in Upper Darby

If you feel pain in one part of your body but the actual source may be somewhere else, you could be experiencing referred pain.

Referred pain occurs when discomfort is felt in a different location from the underlying source. Because nerves from different parts of the body can share pathways in the spinal cord and brain, the nervous system may sometimes interpret where a pain signal is coming from incorrectly.

At Everybody’s Chiropractic Center in Upper Darby, PA, we evaluate musculoskeletal pain carefully to help determine whether symptoms may be coming from the area that hurts or from another structure.

What Is Referred Pain?

Referred pain is pain that is felt in one location even though the source of the problem is somewhere else in the body.

For example, discomfort may sometimes be felt in the:

  • Shoulder when the source is elsewhere
  • Hip or buttock when the problem involves the lower back
  • Upper back or shoulder from another musculoskeletal structure
  • Arm when symptoms originate from the neck

Referred pain can occur for several reasons, and the location of pain alone does not always identify its source.

Why Does Referred Pain Happen?

Your nervous system carries sensory information from throughout the body to the spinal cord and brain.

Signals from different tissues can sometimes travel along shared or converging pathways. When this happens, the brain may perceive the pain as coming from an area other than its actual source.

This is one reason why a complete examination may be necessary when pain does not match an obvious injury or when symptoms continue despite treating the area that hurts.

Referred Pain vs. Radiating Pain

Although referred pain and radiating pain are often confused, they are not always the same thing.

With referred pain, discomfort is felt away from the source without necessarily following the path of a specific nerve.

Radiating pain, on the other hand, may travel outward from the source and can sometimes follow a nerve pathway.

For example, pain traveling from the lower back into the leg may be associated with nerve irritation or sciatica rather than classic referred pain.

If you are experiencing symptoms traveling into the leg, learn more about our sciatica treatment in Upper Darby.

Common Musculoskeletal Examples of Referred Pain

Referred pain patterns vary depending on the underlying condition.

Neck and Shoulder Pain

Problems involving muscles, joints, or other structures in the neck may sometimes produce discomfort that is felt around the shoulder blade, upper back, or shoulder.

If neck pain is part of your symptoms, read more about our chiropractic treatment for neck pain and headaches.

Lower Back and Hip Pain

Some musculoskeletal problems involving the lower back can produce discomfort that is felt around the buttock or hip.

However, pain extending farther down the leg, particularly when accompanied by numbness, tingling, or weakness, may suggest nerve involvement and should be evaluated appropriately.

Learn more about back pain treatment in Upper Darby.

Muscle Trigger Points

Sensitive areas within muscles can sometimes produce pain that is perceived elsewhere.

Myofascial pain and trigger-point patterns are one possible source of referred musculoskeletal discomfort, although other causes should be considered during an evaluation.

Can Referred Pain Come From Internal Organs?

Yes. Referred pain is not limited to muscles, joints, or the spine.

Pain from internal organs can sometimes be felt in another part of the body because sensory signals converge along shared nervous-system pathways. For example, cardiac pain can sometimes be experienced in areas such as the arm, neck, jaw, or upper body.

This is important because pain that appears musculoskeletal is not always caused by the muscles or spine.

Chest pain, unexplained shortness of breath, fainting, sudden severe pain, or other concerning symptoms require prompt medical evaluation.

For a patient-friendly explanation of referred pain, see the Cleveland Clinic guide to referred pain.

Why Can Referred Pain Be Difficult to Diagnose?

The location where you feel pain does not always identify the structure producing it.

A proper evaluation may need to consider:

  • Where the pain is felt
  • When it started
  • What movements make it better or worse
  • Whether symptoms travel
  • Numbness or tingling
  • Muscle weakness
  • Previous injuries
  • Medical history
  • Other symptoms occurring at the same time

The goal is not simply to treat the location that hurts, but to determine what may be contributing to the symptoms.

How Is Referred Pain Evaluated?

At Everybody’s Chiropractic Center, an evaluation may include:

Health History

We review how the pain started, where it is felt, how long it has been present, and whether certain activities affect it.

Physical Examination

Your chiropractor may assess posture, joint movement, muscle function, range of motion, and areas of tenderness.

Neurological Examination

When appropriate, reflexes, sensation, and muscle strength may be evaluated to look for possible nerve involvement.

Orthopedic Testing

Specific examination procedures may help determine whether symptoms appear to originate from a joint, muscle, spine, or another musculoskeletal structure.

Imaging When Appropriate

X-rays or other imaging are not necessary for every patient, but they may be recommended when the history or examination suggests additional evaluation is warranted.

How Is Referred Pain Treated?

Treatment depends on what is actually causing the pain.

If the symptoms are determined to be musculoskeletal and appropriate for conservative care, a treatment plan may include:

  • Chiropractic adjustments
  • Joint mobilization
  • Therapeutic exercise
  • Rehabilitation
  • Soft tissue techniques
  • Activity or movement recommendations
  • Other conservative treatments when appropriate

Some patients may also be candidates for SoftWave Therapy depending on the underlying musculoskeletal condition.

If symptoms suggest a condition outside the scope of chiropractic care, referral to another healthcare provider may be appropriate.

Can Chiropractic Care Help With Referred Pain?

Chiropractic care may help certain types of referred musculoskeletal pain when the underlying problem involves joints, muscles, or other structures appropriate for chiropractic treatment.

However, referred pain is a symptom pattern, not a diagnosis.

The first step is determining what may be causing the pain. Treatment should then be based on the examination findings and individual diagnosis.

If you are unsure whether chiropractic care may be appropriate, visit our Chiropractic Care FAQ for Upper Darby.

When Should You Seek Medical Attention?

Some referred pain can be associated with conditions that require urgent medical evaluation.

Seek prompt medical attention for symptoms such as:

  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Sudden shortness of breath
  • Fainting
  • Sudden severe or unexplained pain
  • New weakness or paralysis
  • Loss of bowel or bladder control
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Symptoms associated with a significant injury

If you are unsure whether symptoms could represent an emergency, seek medical evaluation rather than assuming the pain is musculoskeletal.

Referred Pain Treatment in Upper Darby, PA

Everybody’s Chiropractic Center evaluates patients with back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, hip pain, sciatica, and other musculoskeletal complaints in Upper Darby, PA.

We also serve patients from nearby communities including:

  • Drexel Hill
  • Havertown
  • Springfield
  • Lansdowne
  • Clifton Heights
  • Broomall
  • Media
  • Newtown Square
  • Surrounding Delaware County communities

Everybody’s Chiropractic Center

Schedule an Evaluation for Referred Pain

If you are experiencing pain that does not seem to match where the problem started, a thorough evaluation can help determine whether your symptoms may involve referred pain, nerve irritation, or another musculoskeletal condition.

At Everybody’s Chiropractic Center, we evaluate each patient individually and recommend treatment based on the examination findings and your specific needs.

Call 610-789-1800 or schedule a consultation with Everybody’s Chiropractic Center in Upper Darby, PA.