It is common to experience aches at the front and outside part of the shoulder.  In fact, about half the population will experience one episode of shoulder pain in a given year.  It is the most mobile joint in the body, which tends to leave it susceptible to injury.  The shoulder is made up of three bones (humerus, clavicle, and scapula) and consists of multiple joints.  There are a lot of moving parts and the four rotator cuff muscles are responsible for supporting a lot of that motion.

It is very common when someone starts to experience shoulder pain, the initial thought is to rest the shoulder and limit activity.  Rest may provide some relief, but then a week or two down the road, the shoulder starts to hurt again.  Some will even try taking an anti-inflammatory, and get short term relief, but again are left frustrated when improvement is not maintained.  This is a very common experience when dealing with shoulder pain.

After a visit to their primary care provider, an individual may be prescribed a stronger anti-inflammatory, pain medication, or a muscle relaxant.  This can lead to injections and even surgery if issues are not addressed soon enough.

Do you feel frustrated and feel that your only option is to live with the pain, take anti-inflammatories, pain medication, get an injection or have surgery? 

We can help with shoulder pain and reduce the likelihood of needing to take medications, get an injection, or have surgery.

Common Complaints from People with Shoulder Pain

When one develops shoulder pain, there can be many different reasons why. 

Some common complaints include:

• Dull/Vague Ache at the front, side, or back of the shoulder

• Feeling of pinching when reaching overhead

• Difficulty with sleeping

• Pain when reaching above shoulder height

• Stiffness and pain when reaching towards the low back

• Pain when trying to wash hair

• Pain and stiffness when reaching outward and away from body

Do you feel that you may just have to live with the pain and are hoping that it will go away on its own, or hope that it won’t affect the activities you love, such as playing a sport or playing with your grandchildren?

What causes shoulder pain?

Shoulder pain can be caused by many different things.  The most common issue with the shoulder involves the rotator cuff muscles.  It is possible for the tendons of the muscle to be inflamed resulting in tendinitis or even have tears present.  A bursa, or sac of fluid, can become irritated resulting in bursitis.  In addition, a shoulder dislocation or repetitive trauma could result in a labrum injury.  Nerve pain can result from a nerve being irritated.  A frozen shoulder is a result of persistent inflammation at the shoulder joint resulting in significant long term stiffness.

Common Shoulder Diagnoses:

• Shoulder Impingement

•  Bursitis

• Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)

• Rotator Cuff Tendinitis/Tendinopathy

• Rotator Cuff Strains/Tears

• Biceps Tendinitis/Tendinopathy

• Labrum Tears

• AC Joint Sprains and Separations

• Shoulder Arthritis

• Shoulder Fractures

• Post-operative rehabilitation (rotator cuff, labrum, Bankart, SLAP, total shoulder replacement, reverse total shoulder replacement)

How can my shoulder pain get better?

Your physical therapist performs an assessment to determine the cause of symptoms and identifies your limits in range of motion and strength.  These findings and thorough discussion with you will determine what things are difficult for you to perform and a plan of action is put together.  Physical therapists treatment is tailored to each individual’s needs with the main focus being to find the correct safe exercises for you to perform to improve your pain and function.  Hands on treatment such as joint mobilization (movements that guide your joint motion), and soft tissue work help to guide the recovery process.  In some situations, other modes of treatment such as electric stimulation, cupping, taping, etc. can also help to guide the process forward.  The goal is to decrease inflammation, improve your motion, improve your strength, and improve your function.