Your shoulders are involved in almost everything you do, from reaching for something on a shelf to getting dressed, exercising or carrying shopping.
So when your shoulder starts to hurt, even simple everyday movements can become frustrating.
Shoulder pain can have many different causes. Sometimes it develops gradually, while other times it follows an injury or a change in activity.
Understanding what’s causing your symptoms is an important part of finding the right approach.
What Can Cause Shoulder Pain?
The shoulder is a complex joint that allows a huge range of movement. Because of this, there are several structures that can contribute to shoulder pain.
Common causes can include:
- Muscle or tendon irritation
- Overuse
- Sports injuries
- Repetitive movements
- Changes in shoulder mobility
- Rotator cuff problems
- Shoulder impingement
- Previous injuries
- Osteoarthritis
Pain can also sometimes be felt around the shoulder when the actual source is elsewhere, such as the neck.
This is why an assessment can be useful if your symptoms aren’t settling.
Is Your Shoulder Pain From an Injury?
Shoulder pain doesn’t always come from one obvious injury.
You might notice symptoms after increasing your gym training, starting a new sport or repeatedly performing the same movement at work.
Other people may wake up one morning with pain or stiffness without being able to identify exactly what caused it.
If your pain developed gradually, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve damaged something. However, persistent or worsening symptoms are worth getting assessed.
The NHS provides guidance on common causes of shoulder pain, including when you should seek medical advice.
Should You Rest a Painful Shoulder?
Complete rest isn’t always the answer.
While avoiding movements that significantly aggravate your symptoms can be sensible, keeping the shoulder moving within comfortable limits can help you maintain mobility.
For example, you could try:
- Taking regular movement breaks
- Avoiding staying in one position for too long
- Gradually returning to normal activities
- Adjusting exercises that aggravate your symptoms
- Following an appropriate rehabilitation programme
The right approach will depend on what’s causing your shoulder pain.
How Can Chiropractic Care Help With Shoulder Pain?
At Bodycare Chiropractic, your treatment starts with an assessment to understand your symptoms, movement and overall musculoskeletal function.
Depending on what is contributing to your shoulder pain, your personalised plan may include hands-on treatment, soft tissue techniques, rehabilitation exercises and advice around movement and activity.
Chiropractic care can form part of a wider approach to managing musculoskeletal pain and improving movement.
Your practitioner can also consider whether the neck, upper back or other areas may be contributing to your symptoms.
What Role Does Rehabilitation Play?
Rehabilitation can be an important part of recovering from shoulder pain, particularly if your symptoms are affecting your strength or movement.
Rather than simply treating the painful area, exercises can be selected around your individual needs and gradually progressed as your symptoms improve.
This could involve working on:
- Shoulder strength
- Mobility
- Movement control
- Upper-body strength
- Gradual return to sport or exercise
At Bodycare Chiropractic, rehabilitation and exercise can be incorporated into your treatment plan where appropriate.
What About Shoulder Pain From Exercise?
Exercise is a common reason people develop shoulder pain, particularly when training volume or intensity increases quickly.
This doesn’t mean you necessarily need to stop exercising altogether.
Instead, modifying the activity that’s aggravating your symptoms may allow you to stay active while your shoulder recovers.
For example, you might temporarily reduce the weight, number of repetitions or range of movement before gradually building back up.
If you’re unsure how to modify your training, getting individual advice can help you understand what movements are appropriate.
When Should You Get Shoulder Pain Checked?
Many shoulder problems improve over time, but persistent symptoms shouldn’t be ignored.
The NHS recommends seeking medical advice if your shoulder pain isn’t improving after around two weeks or if it is becoming increasingly difficult to move your arm. (NHS)
You should seek urgent medical attention following a serious injury, particularly if your arm or shoulder has changed shape, is significantly swollen, or you cannot move it.
Chest pain alongside shoulder or arm pain can also require emergency medical attention.
Finding the Right Approach for Your Shoulder Pain
There isn’t one treatment that’s suitable for every type of shoulder pain.
The most appropriate approach depends on what’s causing your symptoms, how long you’ve had them and how they’re affecting your everyday activities.
A combination of appropriate hands-on treatment, movement advice and rehabilitation may be considered following an assessment.
If you’re experiencing ongoing shoulder pain and would like to discuss your symptoms, contact Bodycare Chiropractic to arrange an assessment.
You can also meet the Bodycare Chiropractic team before your appointment.