Ask a doctor - What is the connection between gas and shoulder pain?

Q. What is the connection between gas and shoulder pain?

Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.

Answered by Secondmedic Expert

Gas can cause shoulder pain through a process known as referred pain. Referred pain occurs when pain originating from one area of the body is perceived in another area due to shared nerve pathways and connections in the nervous system.

In the case of gas causing shoulder pain, the nerves that innervate the diaphragm, a muscle located between the chest and abdominal cavity, also have connections with the nerves in the shoulder area. When gas accumulates in the gastrointestinal tract, particularly in the colon, it can lead to distension and irritation of the surrounding tissues, including the diaphragm. This irritation can then be perceived as pain that radiates to the shoulder region, due to the shared nerve pathways.

Additionally, the phrenic nerve, which originates from the cervical spine (neck) and travels through the chest and diaphragm, provides sensation to the diaphragm as well as the shoulder region. This nerve's involvement can contribute to the sensation of shoulder pain when there is irritation or distension in the diaphragm caused by gas.

It's important to note that while gas-related shoulder pain is typically mild and temporary, persistent or severe shoulder pain should always be evaluated by a healthcare professional to rule out other potential causes.