Can rotator cuff cause neck pain?

Absolutely, it is very common. Because of the rotator cuff injury, you unconsciously change how you move your shoulder, which overworks the trapezius and neck muscles. You should focus on light mobility exercises for the neck and shoulder, but only after getting a green light from your physio.

Please be very careful with this. I ignored my shoulder and neck pain thinking it was just a simple catch, but it turned out to be a severe tear that needed extensive therapy. I highly recommend seeing an orthopedic doctor or a physiotherapist immediately before it gets worse.

My grandmother used to say that all upper body pain is connected, and she was right! When my husband had a rotator cuff issue, his neck also became very stiff because of the way he held his arm. We applied some warm oil as per elders' advice, but we strictly followed the exercises prescribed by our doctor.

It is true, shoulder pain often travels up to the neck because the muscles are fully connected. You can try applying a warm sesame oil compress or a heating pad to get some temporary relief at home. But if the pain is severe or you feel any numbness in your hand, please see a doctor immediately.