Shoulder pain is common and can limit movement, affect sleep, and reduce quality of life. The shoulder is the most movable joint in your body, allowing a wide range of motion but also prone to injury.
Whether shoulder pain is caused by inflammation, trauma, or posture problems, understanding the cause of shoulder pain helps create effective treatment options. This article will explain how to treat shoulder pain, when to seek medical advice, and what professional treatments for shoulder pain may help you heal faster.
Understanding Shoulder Pain
The shoulder is a complex structure made up of bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments that work together to move your upper arm. The humerus (upper arm bone), the shoulder socket, and the acromion (tip of the shoulder) form the primary framework.
A group of muscles and tendons called the rotator cuff stabilizes the joint capsule and shoulder blade as you move your arm or lift your arm in daily tasks. Because the shoulder joint is so movable, it can easily become strained or injured. The most common causes of shoulder pain include:
- Rotator cuff injuries from repetitive motions or heavy lifting.
- Frozen shoulder or adhesive capsulitis, where the joint capsule stiffens and shrinks, limiting range of motion.
- Shoulder impingement, when cuff tendons rub under the acromion.
- Bursitis, when a fluid-filled sac becomes inflamed.
- Arthritis, including osteoarthritis of the shoulder, which leads to pain and stiffness.
- Tendon inflammation or small tears in a rotator cuff tendon or ligament.
- Shoulder dislocation or blow to the shoulder that destabilizes the soft tissue.
Shoulder pain may also be a sign of a heart attack or referred pain from neck pain or upper back issues. Sometimes the pain travels down the upper arm or causes pain in your shoulder when moving the arm above your head.
When shoulder pain persists beyond a few days, or if pain and stiffness worsen, professional evaluation is necessary.
Assessing the Cause of Shoulder Pain
Determining what is causing the pain in your shoulder is an essential step. A shoulder problem can have many possible causes, from joint dislocation to rotator cuff tears. A physical therapist or doctor will first look for structural or inflammatory signs that cause shoulder dysfunction.
A thorough diagnosis often includes:
- Medical history: Discussing when pain began, what triggers it, and whether you had a previous injury or shoulder surgery.
- Physical examination: Assessing the shoulder joint, posture, and how moving the shoulder affects pain or limitation.
- Diagnostic imaging: An x-ray can reveal bone dislocation, calcium deposits, or degeneration. Magnetic resonance imaging can show tears in soft tissue or inflammation around the shoulder.
If inflamed tendons or cuff tendons are detected, your provider may recommend gentle exercises or pain relief techniques rather than immediate surgery. Shoulder pain may also arise due to pain in other parts of the body, which is why accurate assessment is important.
Home Remedies for Shoulder Pain Relief
For mild cases of shoulder pain, conservative measures at home can bring relief and reduce inflammation in muscles and tendons around your shoulder.
1. Rest but maintain movement
Avoid heavy lifting or sudden movements, but gently move your affected arm to prevent stiffness. Complete immobilization can cause frozen shoulder or adhesive capsulitis.
2. Apply ice or heat
Use ice for the first 48 hours after a strain or result of a fall. Ice reduces inflammation in soft tissues around the shoulder blade and shoulder socket. After a few days, switch to a warm compress to relax shoulder muscles and improve blood flow.
3. Stretch carefully
Gentle stretches help restore range of motion of the shoulder joint. Pendulum swings, rolling your upper arm bone, or lifting your arm away slowly from the body maintain flexibility.
4. Practice better posture
Rounded shoulders or forward head posture can inflame a tendon or strain on your shoulder. Keep your chest open and shoulders level to avoid causing the pain again.
5. Over-the-counter pain relief
If inflammation makes moving your arm difficult, ask your doctor or follow NHS recommendations on safe use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication.
These small changes treat shoulder pain early and may prevent it from becoming a more complex case.
The Role of Physical Therapy in Shoulder Recovery
Physical therapy is key in recovering from joint pain, frozen shoulder, or a torn rotator cuff. At Advanced Physical Therapy, each session begins with a detailed analysis of your shoulder muscles, joint capsule, and movement pattern. Treatments for shoulder pain focus on restoring control and promoting healing of injured tissues.
Key techniques include:
- Manual therapy: Therapists use gentle techniques to mobilize the shoulder joint, soft tissue, and fluid-filled sacs surrounding it. This improves range of motion and promotes natural recovery.
- Targeted exercise: Strengthening the rotator cuff and upper back muscles stabilizes the shoulder blade and top of the upper arm. Specific exercises target weak or overused muscles around your shoulder.
- Stretching and flexibility training: Therapists guide you through movements that improve flexibility and reduce pain and stiffness when moving the shoulder.
- Movement retraining: Correcting repetitive motion patterns prevents strain on your shoulder or pain that travels to the neck. It also protects the upper arm bone and surrounding ligament tissue.
After shoulder surgery, professional rehabilitation ensures safe progress and prevents secondary conditions like adhesive capsulitis. Talk to your doctor or see an occupational therapist to learn safe ways to move the affected arm.
When to Seek Professional Help
Shoulder pain is common but sometimes signals deeper injury. You should seek physical therapy or medical advice if you have:
- Shoulder pain lasting longer than one week.
- Sudden dislocation or a blow to the shoulder.
- Weakness or inability to lift your arm or hold it above your head.
- Pain and inflammation that disturb sleep.
- Numbness or tingling spreading to the arm or hand.
- Stiffness that worsens or prevents daily movements.
Cases of shoulder injury need careful care to avoid additional irritation. Early treatment may include exercises, guided stretching, or ultrasound therapy before considering surgery. If necessary, surgery may involve subacromial decompression surgery or repair of the torn rotator cuff.
If joint pain stems from osteoarthritis of the shoulder or calcium deposits, treatment may include gentle mobilization, posture correction, or strengthening to relieve strain on your shoulder.
Strengthen and Prevent Future Shoulder Pain
Once pain relief is achieved, the next goal is prevention. Strong shoulder muscles and proper mechanics maintain shoulder health and protect soft tissue around the shoulder joint.
Essential prevention tips:
- Warm up before exercise or lifting to prevent cuff tendons from becoming overstressed.
- Build balanced strength between chest, upper back, and shoulder muscles.
- Avoid repetitive strain or lifting heavy items overhead frequently.
- Ensure your desk or work setup supports correct posture around your shoulder.
- Stretch daily to preserve full movement of the shoulder socket.
A shoulder can become painful again without attention to posture and daily habits. When the shoulder becomes achy, icy therapy and gentle motion often reverse mild inflammation before it worsens.
People with shoulder pain often regain their strength by staying consistent with recommended treatment options and mindful movement at work or play.
Take the Next Step with Advanced Physical Therapy
If pain or discomfort in your shoulder limits your activity, it’s time to take control. At Advanced Physical Therapy, we specialize in outpatient orthopedic physical therapy for shoulder joint problems and other musculoskeletal conditions.
Our services cover a variety of concerns, including:
- Shoulder pain rehabilitation.
- Back pain and neck pain therapies.
- Knee and arthritis recovery programs.
- Sports injury rehabilitation and more.
With diagnosis-specific manual therapy, customized exercises, and expert care, our therapists design treatment options that restore full movement and stability around your shoulder.
Our clinics across Northwest Arkansas and Southwest Missouri serve local communities, helping people with shoulder pain return to daily life pain-free.
Schedule your free consultation today to treat shoulder pain safely and effectively. We’ll listen to your concerns, evaluate your condition, and develop a plan that fits your goals. Rebuild strength, improve your range of motion, and enjoy life without pain and stiffness. We will guide your recovery every step of the way.
