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The shoulder girdle is made of 3 bones: the scapula (shoulder blade), humerus (arm bone), and the clavicle (collar bone).
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Many people get shoulder pain without any actual damage to the joint or other structures around it (e.g. muscles, tendons and ligaments).
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X-rays and scans often are NOT needed to find the cause of your shoulder pain.
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Graded movement and exercise in most cases is NOT harmful to your shoulder and will actually help your pain by making the shoulder stronger and more mobile.
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Clicking, snapping or creaking noises/feelings are common in people without shoulder pain. It is rarely a sign of damage to your shoulder.
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There are lots of things you can do by yourself to help you manage your shoulder pain (see below).
Shoulder Conditions
About the Shoulder:
Shoulder pain is very common. One in three people will experience shoulder pain at some point in their lives. Although shoulder pain can be very uncomfortable, it is rarely serious and will normally settle within 6-12 weeks without any treatment. This page will guide you to manage your recovery from shoulder pain and also advise when to seek help.
- If your shoulder pain has been ongoing for longer than 3 months, you may find further useful information in the persistent pain section – Persistent Pain
Common causes of Shoulder pain
Several different factors can contribute to the start of shoulder pain. These can include:
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An injury – for example a fall or a direct impact to your shoulder.
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A quick change (increase or decrease) to your normal activity or exercise levels.
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Weakness in the muscles around your shoulder and shoulder blade.
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Changes in the shoulder joint due to age (Osteoarthritis) or auto-immune conditions (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis).
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A flare of long-standing shoulder pain.
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Shoulder pain as part of wider whole-body pain (including fibromyalgia) – see persistent pain.
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Lifestyle factors, including: being overweight, drinking too much alcohol or smoking.
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Following a change in your mental health (e.g. a period of stress, worry or low mood).
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Following a period of your body being ‘run down’ (e.g. poor sleep, tiredness or after an illness)
General symptoms of Shoulder pain
The location of shoulder pain can vary considerably. The pain may be there all the time or come and go depending on what position or activity you are doing.
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Pain around the shoulder blade or in the top part of the arm.
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Stiffness after a period of rest or sleep. This usually improves within 30 minutes of movement.
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Pain when moving the arm - this could be one specific direction or in all directions. This could include putting a jacket on, pulling up trousers, or reaching above your head to a cupboard.
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Pain when lying on the affected shoulder.
Sometimes problems felt in your shoulder can be due to a neck problem. People with this sort of problem often describe the pain as pins and needles, sharp, hot, or burning pain. It can be felt in the upper shoulder, neck or down the arm and is often made worse by movements of the neck or sustained postures. If you have these symptoms, it would be helpful to read about neck problems.
