Shoulder Pain

What is it?
👉 Discomfort in or around the shoulder joint, often caused by injury, strain, or chronic conditions.
👉 Shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body → more prone to injury.

🔎 Causes

• 🌀 Rotator Cuff Injuries → Tendinitis, tears, night pain, weakness lifting arm

• 💧 Bursitis → Inflamed bursae → pain with overhead activities

• ❄️ Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis) → Stiffness, gradual onset, common in diabetics

• ⚙️ Arthritis → Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis → stiffness, grinding sensation

• 💥 Injuries → Dislocation, separation, fracture (often from sports, falls, accidents)

• 🔗 Referred Pain → From neck, heart (angina/heart attack), gallbladder

• 🧪 Other Conditions → Tendon calcification (Calcium deposits), Nerve compression (pinched nerve in neck)

🚨 When to See a Doctor

• ❗ Severe pain after trauma (fall, accident, sports injury)

• 🕒 Pain lasting > 2–3 weeks despite rest

• 🤒 Fever, redness, warmth → may indicate infection

• ❤️ Shoulder pain + chest pain/short breath/dizziness → could be cardiac emergency

• 🦴 Visible deformity, swelling, or suspected fracture/dislocation

• ❌ Inability to lift or rotate arm

🏥 Treatment Options

• ❄️ Rest & Ice (48 hrs) → Reduce swelling/inflammation

• 🔥 Heat Therapy (after acute phase) → Loosen stiffness, improve circulation

• 💊 Pain Relievers → Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Acetaminophen

• 🏋️ Physical Therapy → Stretching, strengthening, posture correction

• 💉 Steroid Injections → For bursitis, severe inflammation

• 💉 Hyaluronic Acid Injections (in some arthritis cases)

• 🔪 Surgery → For major injuries (rotator cuff repair, shoulder replacement, fracture fixation)

🧘 Self-Care Tips

• ✅ Maintain good posture (avoid slouching at desk)

• ✅ Gentle range-of-motion stretches daily

• ✅ Use ergonomic chairs/desks to reduce strain

• ✅ Avoid heavy lifting overhead until healed

• ✅ Use sling or support brace (short-term only)

• ✅ Warm-up before sports/weight training

✨ Takeaway:
Most shoulder pain comes from strain, overuse, or minor injuries and improves with rest, therapy, and good posture habits.
Persistent or severe pain may signal a serious injury or underlying disease → always get checked by a doctor.