A tight feeling, limited movement, or a sore, throbbing pain every time you lift your arm is not okay. It is also not uncommon after a shoulder injury. Shoulder injuries are some of the most complex of all injuries to the joints in your body. Any number of the tendons, ligaments, and other soft tissues in this area can be damaged, causing limited movement and functionality. If you have shoulder pain, we encourage you to find your Rock Valley Physical Therapy clinic for guidance and help.
Common Types of Shoulder Pain
Having a sharp pain in shoulder tissues or even a burning pain in shoulder joints can mean there is some type of complex injury or inflammation present. Keep in mind that while there are different types of shoulder pain, many people suffer more than one injury at a time. You could need care for numerous conditions.
Aching shoulder pain
An aching, seemingly never-going-away type of shoulder pain may be due to one or more conditions. This type of shoulder pain tends to be dull pain and weakness, but discomfort is enough to limit what you do. It tends to get worse with movement. Some common causes include:
- Frozen shoulder: A sharp, shooting pain may occur as well, but this condition tends to get worse over 2 to 9 months. The most important sign to notice is a gradual loss of range of motion.
- Rotator cuff tears: One of the most common causes of muscle weakness and aching is a tear in the rotator cuff. The most common warning sign of these injuries is being unable to lift your arm overhead without significant pain.
- Tendonitis or tendinopathy in the rotator cuff: A slightly different injury, this condition causes pain that’s felt along the top edge of your shoulder and sometimes the upper arm. The more you engage in the same activities, the worse this condition feels.
Sharp shoulder pain
A sharp, intense pain that comes on suddenly can be quite debilitating. This type of pain could be due to conditions such as:
- Shoulder impingement syndrome: A pinching-like pain, specifically on the outside of your shoulder when you raise your arm, could be due to this condition and warrants medical care.
- AC joint arthritis: Some people experience sharp pain at the top, front portion of the shoulder, near the shoulder blade. Raising your arm overhead or reaching across your body is a common, difficult task.
Shooting Shoulder Pain
Others feel a pain that’s more radiating in nature. That means the pain may seem to travel down your arm or into your back. This could be brought on by conditions such as:
- Pinched nerves: A nerve along any portion of that pathway could suffer inflammation, causing a feeling of pain and weakness.
- Brachial plexus injuries: This type of shoulder pain occurs when there is damage to the nerves in the neck, shoulder, arm, and hand, which often leads to numbness and weakness.
- Brachial plexus neuritis: A similar condition, this is brought on by inflammation that creates a tingling feeling or numbness that can range from your neck and chest to your shoulder.
Burning Shoulder Pain
There are some situations where it may feel like the pain is burning or intense. This can occur due to conditions like:
- Shoulder bursitis: This is a condition brought on by an inflamed, swollen bursa, causing a burning sensation. Bursitis treatment may help to reduce the pain.
- Infection: It is possible that an infection could cause this type of burning sensation, especially if you have other symptoms of illness, such as a fever.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: Joint pain and inflammation can often feel like a burning sensation and may be due to RA.
When You Should See a Doctor
Waking up with a stiff shoulder may not seem like enough of a reason to contact a doctor. However, if you have pain that continues day after day or seems to be getting worse, it is time to contact your doctor for care.
Your doctor will provide a full examination of the area, which may include x-rays. This helps to determine where the underlying cause of the pain is and looks at the alignment of the joint, the soft tissues, and the function of the shoulder joint complex overall.
If you have any of the following symptoms, do not wait to set up an appointment for physical therapy:
- Pain that lasts more than a couple of days.
- Pain is increasing.
- Any pain that limits your range of motion significantly.
- Pain accompanied by a fever or other illnesses
- Pain that is debilitating and causes you to take pain medications often.
Treating and Managing Shoulder Pain
Treatment of shoulder pain must be consistent with the type of pain and discomfort you feel, and that will range widely from one person to the next. However, physical therapy is a very flexible and versatile treatment option that can offer the support you need.When you meet with your physical therapist, they will determine where the pain is, what is causing it, and what the best treatment is for the underlying cause. Then, very specific strategies for improving your pain can be applied. Physical therapy does not just treat the pain but offers a strategy for improving the cause.
Preventing Shoulder Pain
It may be possible to prevent some causes of shoulder pain. Healthy, active joints benefit from:
- Strengthen exercises for the surrounding muscle groups.
- Stretching and warming up before big tasks.
- Limitation on repetitive motions.
Let the Team at Rock Valley Physical Therapy Help You
If you are suffering from any type of shoulder pain, set up a consultation with our team at Rock Valley Physical Therapy. Allow us to conduct a thorough examination and design an effective treatment plan to address your needs. Contact us now to set up an appointment to learn how we can help you get back to mobility. Our physical therapists are ready to provide you with the comprehensive help you need.