When Shoulder or Arm Pain Isn’t What It Seems
Many patients with chronic shoulder or arm pain spend months chasing the wrong diagnosis. They try physical therapy, cortisone shots, or shoulder MRIs yet the pain remains.
At DMX Miami, we see this scenario every day. Patients come in from South Miami, Broward County, and even across Central and South America, convinced their shoulder is the problem but the real issue is hidden in the cervical spine.
That’s because neck ligament instability can create pain that radiates down the shoulders, arms, and even into the hands. And the only imaging that can truly reveal this dynamic cause is Digital Motion X-Ray (DMX).
The Overlooked Role of Cervical Ligaments
The neck’s stability depends on a complex network of ligaments including the capsular, alar, and transverse ligaments that hold the vertebrae in alignment. When these ligaments are overstretched due to trauma, poor posture, or repetitive stress, the spine becomes unstable.
This instability leads to abnormal vertebral motion, which can:
- Irritate nearby nerves that supply the arms and shoulders.
- Cause referred pain or weakness.
- Create numbness, tingling, or burning sensations.
- Mimic rotator cuff or carpal tunnel symptoms.
It’s not uncommon for a patient to be told they have a “shoulder problem”only to discover through DMX that the true cause lies in the neck.
Why Standard Imaging Fails to Identify the Problem
Traditional X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans are static. They take a picture while you’re lying still. But ligament injuries often reveal themselves only when the neck moves.
That’s why so many people are told:
“Your MRI looks fine maybe it’s just inflammation.”
In reality, the cervical vertebrae may be shifting abnormally during motion due to ligament laxity, compressing nerves that extend into the shoulder and arm.
Digital Motion X-Ray (DMX) allows clinicians to observe the neck in motion, revealing the subtle instability that other scans can’t capture.
How Digital Motion X-Ray (DMX) Works
DMX uses advanced fluoroscopic technology to record the spine in real time while moving. During the study, patients perform gentle movements bending, rotating, and tilting the head while a live X-ray video captures every detail of how the cervical vertebrae move.
At DMX Miami, our diagnostic team analyzes these motion sequences to identify:
- Excessive movement between vertebrae.
- Signs of ligament laxity or instability.
- Compression of nerve pathways.
- Structural alignment problems that match symptoms.
The exam is non-invasive, takes just minutes, and provides clear, dynamic evidence of ligament injury that static scans miss.
How Cervical Instability Causes Shoulder and Arm Pain
The cervical spine (especially C4–C7) controls nerve roots that branch into the shoulders, arms, and hands. When instability occurs at these levels, it can lead to:
- Referred shoulder pain that mimics joint problems.
- Arm weakness or heaviness.
- Tingling or numbness extending to the fingers.
- Pain that worsens with head movement or posture.
Many patients describe their symptoms as “moving around” or “unpredictable.” That’s a telltale sign of a dynamic nerve problem, not a local joint issue and it’s exactly what DMX is designed to detect.
Who Should Consider DMX Imaging
You should consider a Digital Motion X-Ray if you:
- Have shoulder or arm pain with no clear diagnosis.
- Experience numbness or tingling despite normal MRIs.
- Notice pain that worsens with movement or posture.
- Have been in a car accident or sports injury.
- Are told your imaging looks “normal,” but your pain persists.
At DMX Miami, we regularly see patients from Florida, the U.S., and Latin America (including Colombia, Mexico, Chile, and the Caribbean) who have struggled for years before finally finding clarity through motion-based imaging.
Why Patients Choose DMX Miami
Patients trust DMX Miami because we specialize in identifying ligament instability the missing piece in so many chronic pain cases.
Our clinic offers:
- State-of-the-art Digital Motion X-Ray technology.
- Detailed reports for your referring doctor or rehabilitation team.
- Bilingual care (English and Spanish).
- Compassionate staff experienced in post-trauma diagnostics.
We don’t just look at your neck we watch it move, and that’s where the answers are found.
Take the First Step Toward True Healing
If your shoulder or arm pain hasn’t improved despite multiple treatments, the real issue may not be your muscles or joints it may be your neck ligaments.
Digital Motion X-Ray (DMX) can uncover the instability that’s been hiding in plain sight and help you finally get the care you need.
Learn more: Treatment
Schedule your appointment today: Appointments
Call 305-275-7475 or book your appointment online
Dr. Rodolfo Alfonso, D.C.
Dr. Mark N. Berry, D.C.
Sunset Chiropractic and Wellness
8585 Sunset Dr. STE 102
Miami, Florida 33143