You stretch, you massage, and you have been to the chiropractor more times than you can count, yet that nagging pain in your neck and shoulders just seems to come back. The pain is real; the frustration is real. But what if the answer isn't just about your muscles or your posture? Sometimes the root cause runs deeper-buried in one of the most underappreciated organs in your body: the gallbladder. Dr. Eric Berg, a global wellness expert, highlights what most people miss! Read on to know more..





What is the gallbladder, and why does it matter here?



Most health practitioners overlook this issue, about 80% of tightness and pain in the neck and shoulders come from gallbladder issues . The gallbladder is tucked under our rib cage, wrapped snugly around our liver, serving as a reservoir for bile. This digestive fluid is critical to fat digestion and intestinal transit. When it flows well, you never give your gallbladder any thought. But when it becomes sluggish-due to either high cholesterol or low levels of bile salts, the result of too many processed foods passing through, the recipe for disaster is complete.

The gallbladder is particularly sensitive to what lands on your plate. Diets heavy in refined carbohydrates and processed snacks raise cholesterol levels in the bile and reduce bile salts, preparing your gallbladder for the formation of either gallstones or thick bile "sludge." These blockages inhibit normal bile flow, making your gallbladder work overtime and setting the stage for wider issues in your body.



The phrenic nerve : Unseen messenger




The magic-or misery-happens via the phrenic nerve-a key pathway that links your diaphragm, just below the lungs, with your neck. Besides being an important passageway for breathing, this nerve also conducts pain impulses between your diaphragm, gallbladder, and upper body. If your gallbladder is congested or inflamed, it may press on the phrenic nerve. The result? Referred pain , or discomfort felt in a location far from its true origin-in this case, your neck and shoulders.



What is referred pain?




Referred pain is a type of pain perceived at a location different from its source. While primary pain is felt directly where it originates-referred pain can seemingly mislead the sufferers about the actual location of their issue.



Are you experiencing gallbladder-related pain?

You don't need a scan to start investigating. Here's a quick home check: Gently massage the area just beneath your right rib cage. If that lessens your neck or shoulder discomfort, your gallbladder may be involved. This is no substitute for medical assessment, but it's one strong clue that your pain may not be all about muscles, bones, and poor posture.



The gallbladder-diet-pain equation




In a nutshell-why is modern life so hard on the gallbladder? The reason is simple: our diets have rapidly shifted toward more sugar, white flour, and processed oils-all of which can thicken bile and encourage gallstone formation. When the gallbladder gets congested, bile doesn't move freely. Before actual stones have a chance to form-you might have "bile sludge"-a precursor that's enough to disrupt function and trigger nerve pathways linked with distant pain.



The prime culprit is cholesterol-laden, low-fiber food. But there’s good news: your diet also holds the solution.



What can we do to improve the pain



It's time to flip the script on chronic pain relief. Chasing symptoms provides temporary hope, but diet gets at root causes. Here's where to start:



Eliminate high-carb foods, mainly the processed ones. Replace refined sugars with whole grains, vegetables, and lean proteins.



Include healthy-fats: Unsaturated fats from nuts, seeds, and fish promote optimal bile composition.



Consider natural support: Some experts advise supplementation such as TUDCA-to maintain healthy bile flow. Always consult with a medical professional before trying supplements.



Hydrate and move: Hydrating and moving regularly will stimulate the bile to move properly for good digestion.

These changes benefit more than your gallbladder--they stabilize your blood sugar, support your liver, decrease inflammation, and for many, dramatically reduce referred neck and shoulder symptoms.




When to seek medical advice
While self-massage and changes in diet may work for early imbalances, one should not avoid severe or lingering symptoms. Continuing pain, jaundice, fever, and gastrointestinal distress all require immediate medical attention, since attacks of the gallbladder can quickly escalate. Professional assessment may be necessary, including scans or lab tests.