WHEN PAIN TRAVELS: UNDERSTANDING REFERRED PAIN
Referred pain happens when you feel pain in one area of your body, but the actual source is somewhere else. For example, a problem in the neck can cause shoulder or arm pain, and low back issues can lead to discomfort in the hip or leg. This occurs because nerves share pathways, which can “confuse” how the brain interprets pain. As a result, treating only the sore spot may not fully resolve the problem. Chiropractic care focuses on identifying the true source of irritation, improving joint movement, and reducing muscle tension to support more lasting relief.
Key Insight:
The place you feel pain isn’t always the place it starts, finding the source is often the key to improvement.
Contact us if you’d like to explore conservative, personalized care options for persistent or radiating pain.
Contact Us:
Dr. Peter Britton, DC & Dr. Alyssa Lenox, DC
1111 N. Northgate Way
Seattle, WA 98133
Phone: 206-523-2225
Appointments can be made on our website: https://intouchwithhealthseattle.com/home
Sources:
Bogduk N. On the definitions and physiology of back pain, referred pain, and radicular pain. Pain. 2009;147(1–3):17–19.
Gerwin RD. Myofascial trigger points and referred pain. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2008;12(5):401–408.
