Common causes and treatment for shoulder pain

Shoulder pain often results from issues within the shoulder joint, muscles, or tendons - or it may be referred from the neck, upper back, or ribs. Here are some of the common causes:

Muscle Strain or Overuse

• Caused by heavy lifting, sports, or repetitive arm movements.
• Common in people who work with their arms raised or do repetitive tasks.
• Symptoms: soreness, stiffness, pain when moving the arm.

Rotator Cuff Problems

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder. Some of the common conditions include:

• Rotator Cuff Tendinitis – inflammation of rotator cuff tendons
• Rotator Cuff Tear – partial or complete tear of a tendon

Symptoms:

• pain when lifting the arm
• weakness
• pain when sleeping on that shoulder

Frozen Shoulder

• The shoulder joint becomes stiff and painful.
• Movement gradually becomes very limited.

Shoulder Impingement

Tendons get pinched between shoulder bones during movement. Some of the symptoms include:

• pain when raising the arm
• pain above shoulder height
• weakness

Arthritis

Joint wear or inflammation can cause shoulder pain. Examples include Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Some of the common symptoms include:

• stiffness
• swelling
• reduced movement

Bursitis

Inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs that cushion the joint.

Dislocation or Injury

This can happens after falls, sports injuries, or accidents and symptoms can include:* severe pain

• swelling
• visible deformity
• inability to move the arm

Referred Pain

Sometimes the pain in your shoulder is not from the shoulder itself. Possible causes include:

• neck problems
• nerve compression
• heart problems such as Angina (especially if left shoulder pain with chest pain).

How Osteopathy Helps with Shoulder Pain

Osteopathic treatment aims to:

• Reduce pain
• Improve flexibility
• Speed up recovery

Treatment may include:

• Soft tissue massage
• Joint mobilisation
• Strengthening exercises for the shoulder, neck, and back
• Postural and lifestyle advice

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