Common questions about shoulder pain

In most cases, no. Most shoulder pain, on the right or the left, comes from the shoulder's tendons, joint or muscles, or spreads from the neck, and it usually improves with gentle movement and exercise. But get urgent medical help if the pain is sudden and severe, started after a fall or injury, the shoulder has changed shape, the arm is hard to move, you have a fever, or there is severe pain in both shoulders. With chest pain or shortness of breath, call an ambulance: 911 in Jordan or 122 in Iraq and Kurdistan. If it has not improved within two weeks, get it assessed.

Read more: Shoulder pain · Source: NHS — Shoulder pain · Mayo Clinic — Heart attack: Symptoms and causes

Shoulder pain on its own is not one of the known signs of breast cancer, and it usually comes from the shoulder itself or the neck. Neck, shoulder or back injuries can be felt as pain in the breast area, and breast pain by itself is unlikely to be a sign of cancer. See a doctor soon for a lump or swelling in the breast, chest or armpit, a change in the shape or skin of the breast, or a change in the nipple or discharge from it. If you have a history of cancer, new shoulder pain that persists, especially at night or with weight loss, needs a doctor soon.

Read more: Shoulder pain · Source: NHS — Symptoms of breast cancer in women · NHS — Breast pain

Sometimes, although most left shoulder pain comes from the shoulder itself or the neck. Heart attack pain can spread to the shoulder, arm, back, neck or jaw, and it usually comes with pressure or pain in the chest, shortness of breath, a cold sweat or feeling sick; in women, older people and people with diabetes the symptoms can be less obvious. If you have these signs, do not wait: call an ambulance straight away, 911 in Jordan or 122 in Iraq and Kurdistan, and do not drive yourself. Pain that gets worse with certain shoulder movements, such as lifting the arm or lying on it, with no chest symptoms, usually points to the shoulder itself.

Read more: Shoulder pain · Source: Mayo Clinic — Heart attack: Symptoms and causes · NHS — Heart attack

That is not its usual symptom. Carpal tunnel syndrome mostly causes numbness, tingling and pain in the hand and fingers that is worse at night, and the ache can spread into the arm. If shoulder or neck pain comes together with numbness running down the arm into the hand, the cause may be an irritated nerve in the neck, and sometimes there are separate problems in the shoulder and the wrist. That is why we examine the neck, shoulder and wrist together to find the likely source. Sudden weakness or numbness in the arm or hand needs urgent medical help, and with a drooping face or difficulty speaking, call an ambulance straight away: 911 in Jordan or 122 in Iraq and Kurdistan.

Read more: Carpal tunnel, Neck disc and pinched nerve · Source: NHS — Carpal tunnel syndrome · McCartney S, Baskerville R, Blagg S, McCartney D (2018). Cervical radiculopathy and cervical myelopathy: diagnosis and management in primary care. Br J Gen Pract 68(666):44–46

The core of treatment is graded strengthening of the rotator cuff and shoulder blade muscles, with a temporary change to irritating movements such as repeated overhead lifting, without stopping shoulder movement altogether. This pain is sometimes called impingement, and when it is at the front of the shoulder it may come from the biceps tendon. Manual therapy may help ease pain alongside exercise, and changing your sleeping position to avoid lying on the painful shoulder can help. Injections are the doctor's decision, and exercise remains the key to improvement, which can take several weeks of regular work.

Read more: Shoulder pain when lifting the arm, Biceps tendon pain · Source: Rees JL et al. (2021). Shoulder Pain Diagnosis, Treatment and Referral Guidelines for Primary, Community and Intermediate Care. Shoulder Elbow 13(1):5–11 · NHS — Shoulder pain

Often, yes. Pain at the back of the shoulder or around the shoulder blade often comes from tight, knotted muscles of the shoulder and upper back, especially with awkward working positions and repeated strain, and it can also spread from the neck. Better posture, short breaks, and stretching and strengthening exercises usually help, and manual therapy, release of muscle knots and dry needling can ease the pain as part of the plan. Pain behind the left shoulder or between the shoulder blades with chest pain or shortness of breath needs an ambulance straight away: 911 in Jordan or 122 in Iraq and Kurdistan.

Read more: Muscle knots and tension, Upper back pain · Source: Dua A, Chang KV (2025). Myofascial Pain Syndrome. StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf · Mayo Clinic — Heart attack: Symptoms and causes

Yes, and in most cases without an operation. Tears that develop gradually with age are common, and many people's pain and movement improve with a graded strengthening programme for the shoulder and shoulder blade muscles and physiotherapy, even though the tear is still visible on a scan. Research suggests surgery may add little benefit over exercise for many gradual tears. A sudden tear after a fall or injury with new weakness should be seen by a doctor the same day, and the decision about surgery belongs to the orthopaedic surgeon. How long treatment takes differs from person to person.

Read more: Rotator cuff tear · Source: Karjalainen TV et al. (2019). Surgery for rotator cuff tears. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 12:CD013502 · Rees JL et al. (2021). Shoulder Pain Diagnosis, Treatment and Referral Guidelines for Primary, Community and Intermediate Care. Shoulder Elbow 13(1):5–11

Usually not. Most tears develop gradually with age and repeated use, and most people's symptoms improve without surgery with a regular exercise programme. But a sudden tear after a fall onto the arm, a shoulder dislocation or a heavy jerking lift, with new weakness and difficulty lifting the arm, needs a doctor the same day, because early assessment may matter, especially in younger and active people. If the shoulder looks out of place after the fall, go to the emergency department straight away.

Read more: Rotator cuff tear · Source: AAOS OrthoInfo — Rotator Cuff Tears · Rees JL et al. (2021). Shoulder Pain Diagnosis, Treatment and Referral Guidelines for Primary, Community and Intermediate Care. Shoulder Elbow 13(1):5–11

Only an examination can say for sure. Common signs are pain at the top or side of the shoulder that may spread to the upper arm and is worse at night or when lying on that shoulder, pain when lifting and lowering the arm, weakness when lifting or turning it, and sometimes a crackling feeling when the shoulder moves. Tears usually develop gradually after the age of forty and with overhead work, and sometimes suddenly after a fall or a heavy lift. A clinical examination tells a tear apart from irritated tendons or frozen shoulder, and the doctor decides whether a scan is needed.

Read more: Rotator cuff tear, Shoulder pain when lifting the arm · Source: AAOS OrthoInfo — Rotator Cuff Tears · Rees JL et al. (2021). Shoulder Pain Diagnosis, Treatment and Referral Guidelines for Primary, Community and Intermediate Care. Shoulder Elbow 13(1):5–11

Treatment depends on the stage. In the painful stage the aim is to ease pain and keep movement with gentle exercises, without forcing; later, graded stretching, manual therapy and joint mobilisation may help restore movement, and strengthening is added as things improve. Painkillers and a steroid injection, which may ease pain for a few weeks in the painful stage, are the doctor's decision, and exercise remains the key to getting movement back. Avoid making up strenuous exercises or using gym machines without guidance, as this can make the pain worse.

Read more: Frozen shoulder · Source: Kelley MJ et al. (2013). Shoulder Pain and Mobility Deficits: Adhesive Capsulitis — Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 43(5):A1–A31 · NHS — Frozen shoulder

No, frozen shoulder is not dangerous, but it is troublesome and can last a long time. It causes pain that can be worse at night and disturb sleep, then stiffness that limits how far the arm moves, and pain and movement usually improve gradually over time, although this can take months or years. Gentle movement and exercises that suit the stage help ease pain and keep movement, while keeping the shoulder completely still can make the pain worse. If you have diabetes, keep up regular check-ups with your doctor. A hot, red, swollen shoulder with a fever needs a doctor the same day.

Read more: Frozen shoulder · Source: NHS — Frozen shoulder · Kelley MJ et al. (2013). Shoulder Pain and Mobility Deficits: Adhesive Capsulitis — Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 43(5):A1–A31

In most cases it improves gradually, with pain and stiffness easing over time, but slowly. It usually passes through a painful stage, a stiff stage and a recovery stage, and can take many months, sometimes years; the time varies a lot from person to person, and recovery may be slower in people with diabetes. Some people keep mild pain or stiffness for years. No treatment skips all the stages, but regular exercise and physiotherapy that suit the stage help ease pain and keep movement.

Read more: Frozen shoulder · Source: Kelley MJ et al. (2013). Shoulder Pain and Mobility Deficits: Adhesive Capsulitis — Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 43(5):A1–A31 · NHS — Frozen shoulder

It is inflammation and then tightening of the capsule around the shoulder joint, causing pain followed by stiffness that limits lifting the arm, turning it outwards and reaching behind your back, whether you move it yourself or someone else moves it for you. The cause is often unclear; it is more common in middle age and in people with diabetes or thyroid disease, and it can follow an injury or operation that kept the arm still for a long time. An examination tells it apart from irritated shoulder tendons, where someone else can usually still move the shoulder fully.

Read more: Frozen shoulder · Source: Kelley MJ et al. (2013). Shoulder Pain and Mobility Deficits: Adhesive Capsulitis — Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 43(5):A1–A31 · NHS — Frozen shoulder

It is an injury that needs urgent medical treatment, although it is not usually life-threatening. The top of the upper arm bone comes out of the shoulder socket, usually after a fall, a blow or a strong twist of the arm, causing severe pain; the shoulder looks out of place or changed in shape, and the arm is hard to move. Go to the emergency department as soon as possible, or call an ambulance if you cannot get there: 911 in Jordan or 122 in Iraq and Kurdistan, and do not drive yourself. Tell the doctor straight away if your arm or hand feels numb or cold.

Read more: Sports injuries · Source: NHS — Dislocated shoulder · NHS — Shoulder pain

Not usually after a first dislocation. The doctor puts the shoulder back without surgery, and regular physiotherapy then strengthens the shoulder muscles and lowers the chance of it happening again. But a shoulder that has dislocated once is more likely to dislocate again, and the risk is higher in young people. If it keeps dislocating or still feels unstable despite exercise, the doctor may arrange a scan to look for damage in the joint, and the orthopaedic surgeon may suggest an operation to lower the risk; that decision is theirs.

Read more: Sports injuries, Post-surgery rehab · Source: NHS — Dislocated shoulder · Rees JL et al. (2021). Shoulder Pain Diagnosis, Treatment and Referral Guidelines for Primary, Community and Intermediate Care. Shoulder Elbow 13(1):5–11

Do not try to put it back yourself, or let anyone but a doctor pull or push it back: this needs a medical assessment and usually an X-ray first. Move the arm as little as possible, support it with a sling or towel, hold a cold pack wrapped in cloth to the shoulder for short periods, and go to the emergency department as soon as you can, without driving yourself, or call an ambulance if you cannot get there: 911 in Jordan or 122 in Iraq and Kurdistan. There the doctor puts the shoulder back after a local anaesthetic or a sedative so you do not feel pain and gives you a sling for the first few weeks; physiotherapy then helps restore movement and strength.

Read more: Sports injuries · Source: NHS — Dislocated shoulder

There is no single answer. Exemption from military service or an assessment of disability is decided only by the official medical committees in each country under their own rules, and the criteria differ between countries, so ask the responsible authority in your country rather than relying on what people say. Medically, most people regain use of the shoulder after a dislocation with rehabilitation over weeks to months, and repeated dislocations or lasting instability need an orthopaedic assessment. Bring your medical reports and scans when you attend.

Read more: Sports injuries · Source: NHS — Dislocated shoulder

In most cases yes, with time and rehabilitation. After the shoulder is put back, a sling is worn for the first few weeks, then physiotherapy and regular exercise help ease pain and stiffness, restore movement and strengthen the muscles that keep the shoulder stable. Recovery usually takes weeks to a few months, a return to some sports can take longer, and the doctor or physiotherapist advises when you can drive or play sport again. In older people a dislocation can come with a rotator cuff tear, so weakness that persists afterwards is worth having assessed.

Read more: Sports injuries, Rotator cuff tear · Source: NHS — Dislocated shoulder · Rees JL et al. (2021). Shoulder Pain Diagnosis, Treatment and Referral Guidelines for Primary, Community and Intermediate Care. Shoulder Elbow 13(1):5–11

There is not enough scientific evidence that herbs or home mixtures treat frozen shoulder or a torn rotator cuff, so do not let them delay an assessment or your exercises, and ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking any herbal product alongside your medicines. What guidelines support is regular gentle movement, stretching and strengthening exercises that suit your condition and its stage, and physiotherapy, with the doctor deciding on painkillers or injections when needed.

Read more: Frozen shoulder, Rotator cuff tear · Source: Kelley MJ et al. (2013). Shoulder Pain and Mobility Deficits: Adhesive Capsulitis — Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 43(5):A1–A31 · Rees JL et al. (2021). Shoulder Pain Diagnosis, Treatment and Referral Guidelines for Primary, Community and Intermediate Care. Shoulder Elbow 13(1):5–11

No single exercise suits everyone; the best ones depend on the cause and the stage. For frozen shoulder, gentle stretching and range-of-movement exercises usually help, such as letting the arm swing while it hangs down and walking the fingers up a wall, within pain limits. For tendon pain and gradual tears, graded strengthening of the rotator cuff and shoulder blade muscles helps, such as turning the arm outwards against an elastic band. Mild discomfort that settles after exercise is acceptable, while severe pain means the plan needs adjusting. Keeping up the exercises for some weeks, even after the pain improves, helps.

Read more: Shoulder pain when lifting the arm, Frozen shoulder · Source: NHS — Shoulder pain · Kelley MJ et al. (2013). Shoulder Pain and Mobility Deficits: Adhesive Capsulitis — Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 43(5):A1–A31

You can usually start at home: move the shoulder gently and do not stop using it completely, cut down for a while on movements that make it worse, sit upright with your shoulders relaxed down and back, and use a cold or warm pack wrapped in cloth for a few minutes at a time. A pharmacist can suggest a suitable painkiller. Avoid making up strenuous exercises or lifting heavy weights. If the pain has not improved within two weeks, is getting worse, or the arm is hard to move, get an assessment from a doctor or physiotherapist.

Read more: Shoulder pain, Posture and stretching · Source: NHS — Shoulder pain

The first session starts with an assessment: we ask when the pain started and what makes it worse, and examine the movement and strength of the shoulder, neck and shoulder blade to find the likely source. Treatment then usually includes manual therapy and joint mobilisation, exercises that suit your condition, and advice on sleep and work, with dry needling or cupping added when they fit the plan. The number of sessions depends on the cause and stage; at Revibe we explain the plan and the expected number of sessions after the first assessment, and give you a home exercise programme to follow.

Read more: Your first session, Shoulder pain · Source: Rees JL et al. (2021). Shoulder Pain Diagnosis, Treatment and Referral Guidelines for Primary, Community and Intermediate Care. Shoulder Elbow 13(1):5–11 · NHS — Shoulder pain

They may help some people as part of a plan, not as the only treatment. Reviews suggest dry needling may ease muscle-knot pain in the short term, but the quality of the evidence varies, and results are best when it is combined with exercise. The evidence for cupping is limited and of low quality; some people find it relaxing for tight muscles, but there is not enough evidence that it treats frozen shoulder or rotator cuff tears. At Revibe we use either only when the assessment shows it suits you, alongside manual therapy and exercise, which remain the basis of improvement.

Read more: Dry needling, Cupping · Source: Gattie E, Cleland JA, Snodgrass S (2017). The effectiveness of trigger point dry needling for musculoskeletal conditions by physical therapists: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 47(3):133–149 · ElMeligie MM et al. (2024). Effectiveness of cupping therapy for musculoskeletal pain: an umbrella review. Human Movement 25(4):28–43