What Are the Top Causes of Shoulder Pain, and How Are They Treated?

Shoulder pain can be life-altering. Whether it arises suddenly or builds over time, it often interferes with your ability to perform daily tasks like lifting objects, opening doors, or even raising your hand to brush your hair. Understanding the causes and getting the right treatment can pave the way to recovery.

Common Causes of Shoulder Pain

1. Rotator Cuff Injuries – Your rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder and allow arm movement. Injuries often occur due to overuse or overextension, making this condition common in athletes and manual laborers. Symptoms include weakness, pain during shoulder movement, and difficulty lifting objects overhead. Rotator cuff injuries can range from inflammation (tendinitis) to severe tears.

2. Arthritis – Arthritis in the shoulder causes inflammation in the joint, leading to chronic pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. Osteoarthritis, caused by wear and tear over time, is the most frequent type in this area. Risk factors include age, previous injuries, and repetitive movements. While arthritis-related discomfort ebbs and flows, it tends to increase with physical activity or after long periods of rest.

3. Frozen Shoulder – Also called adhesive capsulitis, frozen shoulder happens when the tissues in your shoulder joint thicken and tighten. This leads to significant stiffness, limited movement, and pain that usually worsens over time. People with diabetes or those who have had a shoulder immobilized for a prolonged period (e.g., due to surgery or injury) are at higher risk.

Other Causes

Other potential sources of shoulder pain include SLAP tears (a type of labral injury), bursitis (inflammation of fluid-filled sacs in the joint), and injuries caused by high-impact activities or repetitive overhead motions.

Treatment Options at Motus Integrative Health

Motus Integrative Health offers a comprehensive approach to shoulder pain through noninvasive, patient-focused care. Depending on the cause of your pain, treatment options include:

1. Chiropractic Care – Chiropractors at Motus Integrative Health specialize in restoring joint motion and reducing inflammation through techniques like the Active Release Technique (ART) and chiropractic manipulations. These methods are particularly effective for addressing rotator cuff injuries, frozen shoulder, and joint discomfort caused by misalignment.
2. Physical Therapy – Physical therapy helps improve strength, flexibility, and range of motion in the shoulder. Guided exercises tailored to your condition can address issues like stiffness or weakness. Therapists may also use treatments like dynamic neuromuscular stabilization and complex muscle stimulation to further support recovery.
3. Massage Therapy – Massage therapy targets tight or inflamed muscles and soft tissues. Techniques like trigger point massage and myofascial release relieve tension and enhance blood flow, accelerating healing in injured areas.
4. Functional Medicine and Nutritional Counseling – Shoulder pain sometimes has underlying contributors, such as inflammation from poor diet or stress. Functional medicine focuses on addressing these systemic issues to promote overall healing.

Prevention Tips and When to Seek Help

Preventing shoulder pain often comes down to maintaining healthy habits. Here are a few practical tips:

• Warm up and stretch before physical activities or workouts.
• Avoid repetitive overhead motions or take breaks to reduce strain.
• Pay attention to your posture, especially while sitting or lifting heavy objects.
• Engage in regular strength training exercises to stabilize your shoulders.

However, if you experience severe pain, swelling, or an inability to move your shoulder, it’s essential to seek professional assistance right away. At Motus Integrative Health, we provide detailed assessments and personalized care plans that target the root cause of your discomfort.

If shoulder pain is disrupting your life, don’t wait to address it. Contact Motus Integrative Health today to schedule a consultation and begin your recovery process. You don’t have to live with discomfort—relief is within reach!