When many people experience tightness, soreness, or even pain on the inside of their shoulder blade in their right neck and shoulder, their first instinct is to assume it's a spinal or muscle problem. They then repeatedly undergo massages, physical therapy, and chiropractic adjustments, but these often only provide temporary relief. The real source is commonly found in the gallbladder or liver — and is mostly due to insufficient bile or bile stasis.
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Why does gallbladder/liver pain "transfer" to right shoulder and neck pain?
The gallbladder is located below the liver. Bile produced by the liver flows into the gallbladder for concentration, and is then squeezed into the small intestine during meals to help break down fats. When cholesterol is too high and bile salts are too low, bile sludge can easily form , causing duct blockage and increased pressure.
Pressure can affect the phrenic nerve pathway, causing pain to spread to the right shoulder, right neck, and scapular region; it can even radiate along the right arm.
The phrenic nerve not only controls the movement of the diaphragm, but also carries sensory signals from the outside of the liver and gallbladder upwards, thus causing what is known as "referred pain " .
A common cause is actually "insufficient bile".
Common factors that cause insufficient bile and cholestasis include:
- Estrogen dominance (e.g., hormone therapy, oral contraceptives)
- Drug effects: statins, antibiotics, antidepressants, etc.
- Lifestyle and diet: Excessive intake of alcohol, junk food, sugar/starch, and grains
- Impaired liver function: Reduced ability to produce bile
30- second self-test: Is this pain coming from the gallbladder/liver?
- Standing or lying on your back, insert your fingers under the right ribcage (upper right abdomen, near the liver and gallbladder).
- Press back and forth to find obvious nodules or points of distension and pain, and continue pressing.
- At the same time, pay attention to whether the tightness and pain in the right neck, right shoulder, and scapula immediately loosen or lessen.
- If pressing the upper right abdomen significantly relieves the pain in the right shoulder and neck, it strongly suggests that the source is not in the cervical spine, but in the liver and gallbladder system.
Key to the solution: Start with diet and bile.
1 ) Remove the triggers
- Stop consuming sugar and refined starches, and stay away from junk food and alcohol.
- Discuss medication adjustments with your doctor (if the medication is necessary, do not stop taking it on your own).
2 ) Increase bile-related support
Bile salts help to "dilute" biliary sludge and promote bile flow (the original text mentions TUDCA ; taurine can also be used, as bile salts are synthesized from taurine). Also pay attention to nutrients such as zinc and magnesium, which act as cofactors in bile production.
Note: The above terms are compiled according to their original meaning; for any additions or dosage suggestions, please consult a professional first.
Why is "treating neck pain ineffective"?
When the pain is essentially referred pain to the liver and gallbladder, massage, chiropractic, and physical therapy alone can only provide temporary relief at best. If the root cause isn't addressed, the pain is prone to recurrence. The fundamental strategy is to improve diet and bile metabolism, promoting bile flow; only then will the tension in the right shoulder and neck truly loosen.
summary
Right-sided neck and shoulder pain, or right scapular pain, is not necessarily a spinal or muscle strain. If accompanied by right upper abdominal bloating, intolerance to fatty foods, or poor digestion, liver and gallbladder factors should be suspected first; a simple pressure test can provide a preliminary diagnosis. Addressing the issue through diet and bile support is often more effective than repeatedly treating the neck and shoulder pain.
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YouTube source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PG-jaNQ_sDo
YouTube Column: Dr. Berger in Chinese Health knowledge
