8 Reasons Why You Might Be Experiencing Shoulder Pain

Let’s say you’re playing catch in the backyard with your kids and all of a sudden you hear a loud “POP!” Yep, that was your shoulder. The tough part is there are many issues that can cause shoulder pain.

Your shoulder is actually a very complex composition of key structures in the upper part of your body like bones, tendons, and cartilage. In short, shoulder pain can be summed up as the pain felt from moving your arm back and forth, lifting it over your head, or just feeling weak in general.

Almost everyone will have shoulder discomfort at some point in their lives. When you are not in pain, you might not consider it, but when the discomfort starts, you become aware of how much you depend on your shoulders. Your shoulders enable you to execute everyday chores, no matter how minor, whether at home, at work, or elsewhere. Your shoulders are therefore vulnerable to damage, which nearly invariably results in discomfort. 

Only a medical professional can correctly identify the actual cause of shoulder discomfort. In this post and before you request an appointment, we wanted to outline 8 reasons why you might be experiencing shoulder pain.

You should visit us if you encounter any of the following in connection with your shoulder pain: 

• Major injury or accident 
• Acute pain 
• Extremely uncomfortable feeling 
• You’re unable to move your arm 
• Alteration in the shoulder’s or arm’s form 
• Persistent pins and needles in your hand or arm 
• Numb shoulder or arm 
• Touching an arm or shoulder that is extremely hot or chilly 

These symptoms frequently point to a broken bone, burst tendon, or dislocation that requires more urgent medical attention.

 

 

Shoulder Arthritis

This is a very common occurrence that physical therapy specialists see with advancing age, especially in people over the age of 50. This happens when the cartilage covering the ends of the bones gets too worn away and causes the rough bone ends to grind against each other. Shoulder arthritis is often experienced when pain develops in your shoulder, usually when you’re trying to lift your arm over your head. Rest will help ease the pain but not entirely. This type of shoulder pain is most often diagnosed with x-rays and physical examinations.

Shoulder Fracture

A fracture is basically a broken bone and can be common in a lot of different sports. Although, saying that you fractured your shoulder could ultimately mean a few things. There is the clavicle, also referred to as the collarbone, the proximal humerus which is the top of the upper arm bone, and the scapula or the shoulder blade. Fortunately, a large portion of all shoulder fractures are non-displaced injuries. This means that the broken pieces will stay near their anatomic position. This makes treatment more centered around immobilization in a sling until the bone is able to heal properly. Most shoulder fractures take around six weeks to fully heal.

 

Shoulder Dislocation

A dislocation of the shoulder is a more noticeable injury than most of the ones mentioned in this list. You should visibly see the shoulder out-of-place and with a great deal of swelling surrounding the shoulder. This will also produce an intense pain and an inability to move the actual joint. Depending on the grade of the dislocation, this injury can take up to 8 weeks to completely heal and even longer in some cases. Whether you live in Phoenix, Peoria, or Vistancia, you might need help with a shoulder dislocation from a trained physical therapist.

Rotator Cuff Injury

First, you must understand what the rotator cuff is composed of. The shoulder joint is surrounded by a group of muscles and tendons that make up the rotator cuff.  The most beneficial treatment plan for a rotator cuff injury consists of icing the muscles, rest, and physical therapy. A more severe injury like a tear could require surgery to some degree then followed by rehabilitation.

People of all ages commonly have rotator cuff injuries, which are particularly common in workers that frequently undertake overhead motions, such as painters, carpenters, and baseball players. Most patients may recover from their injuries quite quickly by practicing specific physical therapy exercises that can increase their shoulder joint’s flexibility and strength, but those who have a history of repetitive injuries might need more specialized care.

Frozen Shoulder

A frozen shoulder can be best characterized as stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint. This is thought to be caused when scar tissue forms in the shoulder, leading to a thickening and tightness of the joint’s capsule. An injury like this usually needs imaging or lab tests from your medical provider. In most cases, this injury occurs in people with diabetes and those who have kept their arm immobile for an extended period of time.

 

 

Impingement 

A soft tissue injury brought on by the architecture of the shoulder is known as shoulder impingement. Lifting the arm away from the body in this situation puts too much pressure on the bursa and rotator cuff tendons near the top of the shoulder blade. This constant rubbing wears down the tendon or bursa over time.

Cold Shoulder 

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that develops after an accident or concurrently with another shoulder disorder. In order to prevent the formation of scar tissue in the shoulder, the majority of physiotherapists advise patients with frozen shoulders to rest often in between physiotherapy sessions. The muscles around the shoulder may eventually become paralyzed if scar tissue does form. Your range of motion will be restricted, and you’ll get persistent discomfort.

Tendon Tears

You can sustain a partial or complete tear in your shoulder tendons from an accident or an age-related degenerative illness. Rotator cuff or tendon injuries frequently result in excruciating discomfort, even while at rest. Additionally impacted is range of motion. It is not recommended to use the afflicted shoulder and arm to prevent additional injury. 

The shoulder damage described here needs medical treatment. The sooner you get it treated, whether by surgery or non-surgery, the better the results and the quicker it will recover.

How can physical therapy benefit me? 

There is no excuse for spending a lot of money on pricey procedures or over-the-counter medications to relieve shoulder discomfort. Physiotherapy may be able to put you back on the path to a pain-free existence. 

If you experience ongoing shoulder pain, you should consider scheduling an appointment with a physiotherapist as soon as possible. Patients of all ages may be able to heal from their shoulder injuries, including the ones stated above, through the safe and all-natural treatment option of physical therapy. 

Your physical therapist will assess your health, identify the source of your discomfort, and create a thorough, personalized treatment plan for you. Please feel free to ask your doctor any questions you may have concerning the course of your therapy.

Need Physical Therapy? Contact Us Today!

Whether you have been experiencing pain for a while now or you just recently heard a “pop,” the treatment for your shoulder pain depends on your specific situation. Be sure to reach out to a professional like Mike King to help you better understand the severity of your shoulder injury.

Desert Edge Physical Therapy even offers a Free Physical Therapy “Discovery” Session which is a great way to see if we’re the right fit for you!