Shoulder Pain Treatment
Get Back to Moving Without Pain
Your shoulders do a lot of work for you every day, and that means there’s a lot that can go wrong. Shoulder pain can show up in the joint itself, the shoulder blade, or the upper to mid back, and it can make even simple movements feel difficult.
A Closer Look at Your Shoulder
The shoulder is the most movable joint in your body. A group of four muscles and tendons called the rotator cuff gives it stability through that wide range of motion, and 17 different muscles attach to the shoulder blade alone. With that much going on, it’s no surprise shoulder pain is so common.
What Causes Shoulder Pain?
Shoulder pain often comes from swelling, soft tissue injury, tendinitis, impingement, rotator cuff tears, or bony changes around the rotator cuff. You may notice it when lifting your arm overhead, reaching, sleeping on that side, or moving your arm behind your back.
One of the most common causes happens when the rotator cuff tendons become trapped under the bony area near the shoulder, leading to pinching, inflammation, or damage. This is often called rotator cuff impingement, tendinitis, tear, or shoulder bursitis.
Other common causes include:
- ✓Uneven strength in the muscles around the shoulder, often the postural muscles that hold the shoulder blades back
- ✓Impingement or pinching of the shoulder tendons
- ✓Tendinitis, or inflammation of the tendons
- ✓Arthritis in the shoulder joint
- ✓Bone spurs
- ✓Bursitis, inflammation of the small fluid-filled sac that helps the joint move smoothly
- ✓Frozen shoulder, when the shoulder capsule becomes inflamed and stiff, making movement painful and difficult — most common between ages 40 and 60, often following an injury, or alongside a history of hypothyroidism or diabetes
- ✓Overuse or injury to nearby tendons, such as the biceps, often from work or sports
- ✓Rotator cuff tears
- ✓Poor shoulder posture and mechanics
- ✓Pain referred from the neck
When Shoulder Pain Is a Medical Emergency
Most shoulder pain comes from everyday wear and tear, but some causes need immediate medical attention. These include:
- Shoulder separation
- A broken shoulder bone
- Shoulder dislocation
- Sudden pressure or crushing pain in the shoulder, which can be a sign of a heart attack
If you experience any of these, please call 911.
When Should I Seek Treatment?
Our therapists are specially trained to help with shoulder pain and get you back to moving normally. We’ll talk through your concerns, build a plan that fits your needs, and let you know if a referral to another specialist or surgeon makes sense.
How Is Shoulder Pain Treated?
Treatment starts with a full exam of your shoulder and shoulder blade, along with a screening for neck pain or other contributing causes. From there, your plan may include:
- ✓Gentle exercises to reduce pain and rebuild range of motion
- ✓Shoulder and postural strengthening
- ✓Shoulder and thoracic mobility work
- ✓Activity reintegration back to sport or work
- ✓Manual therapy
- ✓Dry needling with electrical stimulation
- ✓Jones strain counterstrain, a technique to ease muscle tension
- ✓Taping and education to help manage pain
Shoulder pain can limit your mobility and get in the way of daily life. If you’ve been dealing with it, our team is ready to help you find relief.
Other treatment options, sometimes used alongside physical therapy, include:
- ✓Corticosteroid injections
- ✓Anti-inflammatory medication
- ✓NSAIDs
- ✓Surgery
Your doctor may also order imaging, such as an X-ray or MRI, to help pinpoint the problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pain with overhead movement is often linked to rotator cuff impingement or tendinitis. A physical therapist can help identify the exact cause and build a treatment plan around it.
Yes. Physical therapy is often a key part of restoring motion and reducing pain from frozen shoulder, alongside guidance from your physician.
Most shoulder pain is manageable with therapy, but sudden injury, a visible deformity, or crushing pain that could signal a heart attack all need immediate medical attention. Call 911 if you experience these symptoms.
Why Choose Us?
We’re committed to helping you heal. Shoulder pain can be all-consuming, and our team stays current on the latest research and treatment approaches to help you get back to living pain free.
Contact Us to Get Started
If shoulder pain is getting in the way of your daily life, our team is ready to help you find relief. Contact us to get started and let us build a plan that’s right for you.
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