Common Shoulder Pain Reasons & How to Fix Them

Shoulder pain is a common condition that can affect anyone of any age. You may be an athlete, student, office worker, etc.; shoulder pain can impact your everyday life. Simple tasks, like showering, cooking, or cleaning, suddenly become hassles. In severe conditions, this pain can steal your joy in enjoying your favorite hobbies or activities.

Your lifestyle or daily activities can trigger shoulder pain, either instantly or over time. The natural state of the shoulder makes it vulnerable to injuries, discomfort, and complications. From the sharp pain of a rotator cuff tear to the persistent ache caused by poor posture or arthritis, understanding the root cause is the critical first step toward effective relief.

In this blog, we’ll understand the causes of shoulder pain and its solutions.

What are the most common causes of shoulder pain?

There are various common causes of shoulder pain, which include:

• Rotator Cuff Injuries: Your rotator cuff consists of muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint. Tears, inflammation, or tendon degeneration can lead to pain.
• Shoulder Impingement: This occurs when the rotator cuff tendons are pinched between the shoulder bones during movement. It can lead to an experience of pain when lifting your arm overhead or reaching behind your back.
• Bursitis: Overuse/repetitive shoulder movement can cause bursitis. This inflammation can trigger painful swelling and limited shoulder movement.
• Frozen Shoulder: This is a condition whereby your shoulder is inflamed and your joints are stiffened. It often leads to severe pain over time.
• Shoulder Arthritis: The wear-and-tear or inflammatory arthritis can strain the cartilage, and this leads to joint pain or a grinding sensation during movement.
• Dislocation/instability: Recurring strain can lead to shoulder dislocation, which triggers sharp soreness and weakness or instability.
• Tendinitis: Inflammation of shoulder tendons, especially the biceps or rotator cuff tendons, can cause aching pain that worsens with activity or certain arm movements.
• Fractures: A shoulder fracture can lead to severe pain, swelling, and difficulty when moving the arm.
• Poor Posture: Sitting for prolonged hours while slouched or hunched can strain shoulder muscles and joints. This often causes a dull, lingering pain.
• Referred Pain: Shoulder pain can develop in the cervical spine or gallbladder. This gradually triggers pain in your shoulder area.

Why does my shoulder hurt when I lift my arm overhead?

There are several reasons behind the pain in your shoulder, which include:

• Rotator Cuff Pinching: An irritation in the rotator cuff causes pain when doing daily tasks, like throwing, grabbing, or wearing clothes.
• Bursitis: Inflammation of the subacromial bursa can trigger pain when raising your arm.
• Shoulder Instability: This chronic condition causes pain and a sense of weakness.
• Frozen Shoulder: This condition gradually triggers pain accompanied by stiffness.
• Bone Spurs or Structural Narrowing: Extra bone growths or naturally narrow spaces in the shoulder can compress soft tissues when you raise your arm, leading to impingement-like pain.

For a proper examination, consult your healthcare provider to determine the exact cause of why your shoulder is hurting when you lift your arm overhead.

Can poor posture cause shoulder pain?

Bad posture (standing or sitting) can cause shoulder pain. Here’s how:

• Shoulder Blade Imbalance: Standing or sitting for prolonged hours while hunching or slouching can trigger shoulder pain.
• Rotator Cuff Strain: Poor posture strains your rotator cuff tissues. This weakens or causes soreness in your shoulder.
• Limited Shoulder Movement: Poor shoulder posture can restrict the natural flexibility of your shoulder. This gradually causes a painful experience when trying to move the shoulder.
• Shoulder Tendon Irritation: Poor shoulder position can narrow the space in the shoulder joint. This can cause tendons or bursae to become pinched, a condition called shoulder impingement, which causes pain with movement.

Is frozen shoulder curable?

A frozen shoulder can be cured; however, the recovery duration takes a long time. The best shoulder treatments for pain involve physical therapy, pain relievers, and sometimes steroid injections, with the goal of restoring movement during the ‘thawing’ phase. This is the final phase, where the joint capsule gradually loosens, leading to a slow improvement in range of motion and decreased stiffness.

Recovery timeline includes:

• Full recovery is common: While it can take years, most people with a frozen shoulder will eventually recover.
• The process is gradual: Symptoms typically start slowly, get worse, and then gradually improve, with the recovery phase lasting for a year or longer.
• Complete recovery is not guaranteed: In some severe or persistent cases, full recovery may not occur, and some pain or stiffness can remain.

Consider wearing a Leeford Ortho Shoulder Support Belt, which ensures mobility and comfort during the healing phase.

Other treatment ideas for a frozen shoulder include:

• Rehab Exercises: Do light stretches to enhance faster and effective healing.
• Pain-relief Creams: Use pain-relief creams that alleviate sudden pain and swelling.
• Support Aids: Consider wearing a Leeford Ortho Shoulder Support, which ensures protection, relief, and warmth that is necessary for healing.
• Heat Therapy: Applying moist heat can help relax muscles and improve blood flow to the shoulder.
• Pain-relief Injections: A pain-relief injection alleviates shooting pain, usually in the early phase of frozen shoulder.
• Surgery: Your doctor might advise surgery, especially in severe or persistent cases.

How do i know if i need surgery for shoulder pain?

Most people usually ignore shoulder pain until it becomes severe. Here’s how you know that a surgery is required for your shoulder pain:

• Lingering Pain: Pain that doesn't improve even with rest, medication, or physical therapy.
• Limited Mobility: Your shoulder's range of motion is severely restricted, making it difficult to perform daily activities like getting dressed, combing your hair, or reaching for things.
• Dislocation/Instability: Surgery is often advised for severe shoulder dislocation or chronic shoulder instability.
• Severe Weakness: Soreness or a weak sensation when lifting your arm or objects.
• Painful Clicking: You hear or feel a grinding, clicking, or catching sensation during movement that is accompanied by pain.

Final Thought

The key to dealing with shoulder pain (mild or severe) lies in taking instant action when you feel pain, consulting a healthcare expert for a proper diagnosis, and consistently maintaining the tailored treatment plan. Always remember that a frozen shoulder can be cured; however, effective healing requires physical therapy, using a shoulder support, applying heat compression, using pain relief medication, etc.

Consult your doctor to determine if your condition is suitable for surgery. Above all, consider using a Leeford Ortho Shoulder Support, which is made from neoprene skin-friendly fabrics, offering an adequate amount of warmth that is required for healing. Recover quickly and effectively, or safely, whether you are experiencing mild or severe shoulder pain. With the right care, you can regain strength, a full range of motion, and a pain-free future.