What Is Shoulder Pain?
Shoulder pain can involve the shoulder joint itself as well as the muscles, tendons and surrounding structures that help control arm movement.
Symptoms may be felt around the front, side or back of the shoulder and can sometimes extend toward the upper arm, shoulder blade or neck.
Restricted joint movement, repetitive loading, muscle overload and changes in shoulder blade or upper-back movement may all influence how shoulder symptoms develop and persist.
Where You Feel Shoulder Pain — and What It May Be Linked To
Front of the Shoulder
Pain at the front of the shoulder may involve the shoulder joint, biceps tendon or surrounding soft tissues, particularly during reaching or lifting movements.
Side of the Shoulder
Pain around the outer shoulder may occur with irritation or overload of structures involved in raising the arm.
Back of the Shoulder
Pain at the back of the shoulder may be influenced by the shoulder joint, rotator cuff muscles, shoulder blade movement or upper-back mechanics.
Shoulder Blade & Upper Back
Pain around the shoulder blade may be influenced by the cervical or thoracic spine, rib cage movement and how the shoulder blade moves with the rib cage.
What Can Contribute to Shoulder Pain?
Shoulder pain is often influenced by a combination of joint movement, tissue loading and how the shoulder blade and upper body move during everyday activities.
Joint Restriction
Shoulder Blade Movement
Thoracic Spine & Rib Cage
Repetitive Loading
Restricted movement at the shoulder joint can change how the arm moves and increase demand on surrounding muscles and tendons.
The shoulder blade needs to move with the arm and rib cage during reaching and overhead movement. Restricted or altered movement may increase load through the shoulder.
Upper-back and rib cage movement can influence how easily the shoulder blade and arm move, particularly during overhead activities.
Repeated lifting, reaching, gym training, work activities or prolonged positions may gradually increase load through the shoulder.
WHOLE-BODY MOVEMENT ASSESSMENT
Looking Beyond the Shoulder
Shoulder pain is not always limited to the shoulder joint itself. We assess the painful area first, then examine the shoulder blade, upper back, rib cage and relevant neck or whole-body movement to identify findings that may be contributing to your symptoms.
01
Shoulder Joint
Assess shoulder flexion, abduction, rotation, joint restriction and movements that reproduce or modify symptoms.
02
Shoulder Blade
Assess how the shoulder blade moves during reaching, lifting and overhead movement.
03
Thoracic Spine & Rib Cage
Assess upper-back rotation, extension and rib cage movement that may influence shoulder mobility.
04
Neck & Whole-Body Movement
Where relevant, assess neck movement, weight transfer and whole-body movement to determine whether other areas are influencing how the shoulder is being loaded.
The aim is to understand both what is happening at the painful area and what may be repeatedly loading it.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Treatment Based on What We Find
WHEN TO GET ASSESSED
Common Shoulder Pain Symptoms
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Pain when raising the arm
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Pain reaching overhead
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Pain reaching behind the back
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Shoulder stiffness or restricted movement
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Pain when lying on the affected shoulder
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Pain during lifting or gym exercises
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Pain around the shoulder blade
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Recurring shoulder tightness or discomfort
Persistent, recurring or worsening shoulder symptoms should be properly assessed rather than repeatedly managed with temporary relief alone.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Seek prompt medical assessment if shoulder pain follows significant trauma or is accompanied by obvious deformity, sudden loss of movement, severe swelling, progressive weakness or numbness, fever or unexplained severe pain. Sudden shoulder pain associated with chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating or nausea requires urgent medical attention.
FAQ
Neck Pain
Learn how neck, upper-back and shoulder movement can influence each other.
RELATED CONDITIONS
Sports & Exercise-Related Pain
Learn how repetitive training, restricted movement and loading can contribute to shoulder symptoms during sport or exercise.
Joint Stiffness & Restricted Movement
Learn how restricted joint movement can influence everyday movement and loading.