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Let’s talk…“When Pain Isn’t Where the Problem Is”

A sore shoulder doesn’t always mean a shoulder problem.
That may sound surprising, but health professionals say the body doesn’t always signal issues in obvious ways. Sometimes, the location of discomfort is not the location of the concern.
This is known as “referred pain”—when the body sends signals to one area, even though the source originates elsewhere.
For example, pain in the right shoulder can sometimes be associated with issues involving the gallbladder or liver. Similarly, jaw pain has been linked, in some cases, to heart-related conditions. Even upper back discomfort may be connected to digestive or stress-related factors.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, referred pain occurs because nerves from different parts of the body converge in the spinal cord, making it difficult for the brain to pinpoint the exact source.
The challenge is that many people treat symptoms based solely on where they feel them.
A sore shoulder gets stretched. A headache gets ignored. A tight back is blamed on posture.
And sometimes, those assumptions are correct.
But not always.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) notes that recognizing patterns—rather than isolated symptoms—is key in identifying underlying health concerns. (2)
That means paying attention to:
• how long symptoms last
• whether they repeat
• and whether they are accompanied by other changes, such as fatigue, digestive issues, or sleep disruption
This is not about creating unnecessary worry.
It’s about awareness.
The American Medical Association encourages individuals to seek medical guidance when symptoms persist, change, or don’t respond to typical care.
The body is designed to communicate, but it doesn’t always speak in straight lines.
A signal in one place may be pointing to something else entirely.
And sometimes, the most important question isn’t:
“Where does it hurt?”
But:
“What is my body trying to tell me?”
Be sure to get a spring health checkup with your health care provider.
“Past Due: The Emotional Cost of Not Letting Go”. Visit Amazon.com. Jean’s background: Silicon Valley executive, business consultant, life coach, inspirational speaker, author …with focus on ministries. Contact [email protected] or [email protected].