Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain can be one of the most frustrating conditions to deal with because it involves almost everything you do.

You may notice it when reaching into a cabinet, putting on a coat, fastening your seatbelt, carrying groceries, lifting weights, throwing a ball, or simply trying to get comfortable in bed at night. Some people describe a dull ache that never seems to completely go away. Others feel a sharp pain when reaching overhead, lifting something away from their body, or performing certain movements at work.

One of the things I often explain to patients is that not all shoulder pain comes from the shoulder. Sometimes the shoulder is the victim, not the culprit. Problems involving the neck, upper back, muscles, or surrounding joints can often create symptoms that feel like they are
coming directly from the shoulder itself.

Whether you are working in a factory, farming, golfing, lifting in the gym, or simply trying to keep up with daily life, shoulder pain has a way of making everything more difficult. Many people find themselves avoiding activities they enjoy because they don't want to aggravate the pain.