Is your shoulder hurting when you lift your arm, reach behind your back, sleep on that side or even sit at your desk?
Shoulder pain is becoming increasingly common, and it can affect much more than your shoulder.
You may find yourself avoiding exercise, struggling to dress, reaching differently for things, or waking up at night because you cannot find a comfortable position.
Sometimes shoulder pain settles with rest and simple changes to your routine. But if it keeps coming back, is getting worse or is affecting what you can do, it is worth finding out what is causing it.
What can cause shoulder pain?
The shoulder is a highly mobile joint, which allows you to reach, lift, push, pull and move your arm in many directions. That mobility also means that several different muscles, tendons, joints and other structures can contribute to shoulder pain.
Common causes include:
Rotator cuff-related pain
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that help move and stabilise your shoulder.
Pain may develop gradually from repeated lifting, overhead activity, exercise or changes in your normal activity. It can also follow an injury.
You may notice pain when lifting your arm, reaching overhead, putting on clothes or reaching behind your back.
Frozen shoulder
Frozen shoulder can start with pain and gradually develop into significant stiffness.
You may notice that movements that were previously easy—such as putting on a shirt, reaching for something on a high shelf or brushing your hair—become increasingly difficult.
Night-time pain is also common.
Shoulder arthritis
Changes within the shoulder joint can contribute to pain, stiffness and reduced movement. This can make everyday activities increasingly uncomfortable.
Muscle and movement problems
Your shoulder works together with your neck, upper back and shoulder blade.
Muscle weakness, reduced mobility, prolonged sitting and repetitive activities can affect how the shoulder moves and may contribute to pain.
Injury
A fall, lifting something heavy, a sudden movement or a sports injury can cause pain around the shoulder.
Sometimes the injury is obvious. At other times, pain may develop gradually after an activity that placed more load on the shoulder than usual.
What does your shoulder pain feel like?
The pattern of your symptoms can be useful.
You might experience:
- Pain at the front or side of the shoulder
- Pain that travels down the upper arm
- Pain when raising your arm
- Pain when reaching behind your back
- Shoulder stiffness
- Weakness when lifting or carrying
- Pain when sleeping on the affected side
- Pain that is worse at night
- Clicking or other noises, particularly when accompanied by pain
- Difficulty performing everyday activities
You may not know exactly what is causing the pain—and that’s okay.
You don’t need to diagnose your shoulder yourself before coming to the healt centre.
That’s what an assessment is for.
When should you come into the clinic?
You don’t have to wait until your shoulder pain becomes severe.
Consider booking an assessment if:
1. Your pain keeps coming back
Perhaps it improves for a few days and then returns whenever you exercise, work, lift something or sleep in a particular position.
Recurring pain is worth investigating rather than repeatedly treating the symptoms yourself.
2. Your shoulder movement is becoming limited
If you can no longer raise your arm fully, reach behind your back or perform movements that used to be easy, your shoulder should be assessed.
3. The pain is affecting your sleep
Shoulder pain that regularly wakes you up or makes it difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position should not simply be ignored.
4. You are becoming weaker
If your arm feels noticeably weaker or you are struggling to lift, carry or grip objects because of your shoulder, an assessment can help determine what may be contributing to the problem.
5. It is affecting your everyday life
If shoulder pain is stopping you from exercising, working comfortably, driving, dressing, reaching for things or doing household activities, it’s a good reason to seek help.
6. It isn’t improving
If you have tried modifying your activities and giving the shoulder some time to settle, but the pain is continuing or getting worse, don’t keep putting it off.
The earlier you understand what is contributing to the problem, the sooner you can make an informed decision about what to do next.
What if your shoulder pain started after an injury?
If you have had a significant fall, accident or injury and suddenly cannot move your arm normally, have severe pain, obvious deformity or significant swelling, you should seek prompt medical assessment.
Similarly, shoulder pain accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea or pain spreading to the jaw or arm should be treated as a medical emergency.
For less severe injuries, a chiropractic or physiotherapy assessment can help determine what structures may be involved and whether further medical investigation is necessary.
Do you need an X-ray or scan?
Not necessarily.
Many shoulder problems can be assessed initially by discussing your symptoms and examining how your shoulder moves and functions.
If your symptoms or examination suggest that imaging or further medical assessment would be useful, we can advise you on the appropriate next step.
A scan is not always the first answer. Understanding your symptoms and examining how your shoulder functions are important parts of the assessment.
How can physiotherapy or chiropractic care help?
Treatment depends on what is contributing to your shoulder pain.
At Chiropractic & Physiotherapy Health Centre, our approach begins with an assessment rather than assuming that every shoulder problem needs the same treatment.
Your assessment may include:
Understanding your symptoms
We discuss when the pain started, where you feel it, what movements aggravate it, whether it affects your sleep and how it is affecting your everyday activities.
Physical assessment
We assess your shoulder movement, strength, flexibility and function. We may also look at your neck, upper back and shoulder blade movement because these areas work together.
Spine Scan
Where appropriate, we use our spine scanning technology to assess areas of tension and imbalance around the muscles and nerves of the spine.
Your treatment plan
Depending on your assessment, treatment may include:
- Physiotherapy
- Chiropractic care
- Therapeutic exercises
- Strengthening and mobility exercises
- Manual therapy
- Advice on modifying activities
- Ergonomic or lifestyle advice
- Referral for further medical assessment where necessary
The aim is not simply to make your shoulder feel better temporarily.
We want to help you understand what may be contributing to your pain and give you a practical plan for getting back to the activities that matter to you.
Don’t wait until shoulder pain limits your life
You may be telling yourself:
“It will probably go away.”
“I’ll give it another few weeks.”
“Maybe it’s just because I’m getting older.”
Sometimes shoulder pain does settle.
But if you are repeatedly experiencing pain, losing movement, becoming weaker, struggling with everyday activities or losing sleep because of your shoulder, it’s time to get it checked.
You don’t need to know exactly what’s wrong before you book.
Let our chiropractors and physiotherapists assess your shoulder, help you understand what may be causing your symptoms and advise you on the most appropriate next step.
Ready to get your shoulder checked?
Book an assessment at Chiropractic & Physiotherapy Health Centre and take the first step towards moving more comfortably.
Move Better. Feel Better. Live Better.