The body is a complex, miraculous structure, which makes having an injury sometimes more complex than you would think. I often have patients come in complaining of shoulder pain, butthe area that’s truly bothering them is their neck, with pain travelling from the neck down to the shoulder. If you look at pictures of the anatomy of this region, it would be easy to see how the two are interconnected. Many of the neck muscles connect to the shoulder blades, collar bone, and shoulder; therefore, a tightness or weakness in one of these muscles would affect both the neck and shoulder.
The same can be said about the elbow and wrist, the regions of the spine, the back and the hip, the hip and knee, and the knee and ankle.
It’s important if you have an injury, that the exercises you do to help recover from it address these muscles that cross multiple joints. This is why it is beneficial to perform a comprehensive stretching and strengthening program in order to target all of the potential areas affected (and prevent these injuries from happening in the first place).

This can be accomplished with the guidance of a physical therapist, exercise physiologist, or personal trainer. In some instances, group classes such as yoga, pilates, and Tai Chi can also be effective for balancing out any flexibility and strength deficits. Some people may work independently on stretching and strengthening, gaining knowldege from books and various online resources (Wellness Professionals – Joint Pain and Arthritis Relief) If you decide to rehabilitate yourself from a minor injury, always be mindful of what you’re feeling in your body. If an exercise causes you pain, it’s your body’s way of letting you know something isn’t right, and you should modify or eliminate the exercise. If you don’t see improvement on your own after 7-10 days, it is highly recommended that you seek the care of a health care provider.
(And always seek immediate care if you experience severe pain, altered sensation, incontinence, inability to ambulate, or other unusual symptoms.)