Have you noticed pain in your shoulder when lifting your arm overhead, reaching into a cupboard or putting on a shirt?
Shoulder pain when lifting your arm is extremely common and can make everyday activities surprisingly difficult. The good news is that shoulder pain does not necessarily mean you have damaged your shoulder.
There are several reasons why your shoulder may become painful, and understanding what is contributing to your symptoms is an important first step towards recovery.
Why Does My Shoulder Hurt When I Lift My Arm?
Your shoulder is a complex joint that relies on several muscles, tendons and other structures working together to produce smooth movement.
One of the most important groups of muscles is the rotator cuff, which helps control and stabilise the shoulder as you move your arm.
Shoulder pain can develop when the demands placed on these tissues exceed their current capacity. This can happen after:
- Increasing your gym training or exercise
- Repetitive overhead activities
- Returning to exercise after a break
- A change in your work or daily activities
- A previous shoulder injury
- Reduced shoulder strength or capacity
Sometimes there isn’t one obvious cause. The shoulder can gradually become more sensitive as the amount of load placed on it increases.
Does Shoulder Pain Mean I Have Damaged My Rotator Cuff?
Not necessarily.
It’s common to assume that pain means something has been torn or damaged. However, pain and tissue damage are not always directly related.
Changes in the rotator cuff and other shoulder structures can also be seen on scans in people who have no shoulder pain at all.
This is why physiotherapists don’t rely solely on imaging when assessing shoulder pain. Your symptoms, strength, movement, activity levels and how your shoulder responds to different loads are all important pieces of the puzzle.
Why Does It Hurt at Certain Angles?
You may notice that your shoulder feels fine when your arm is by your side but becomes painful as you lift it.
This can happen because different positions place different demands on the muscles and tissues around the shoulder.
You may also experience what is commonly called a “painful arc”, where pain is worse through part of the movement but improves again as you continue lifting your arm.
This doesn’t automatically mean that something is being damaged during that movement. Rather, it can indicate that your shoulder is currently sensitive to a particular combination of movement and load.
Should I Stop Using My Shoulder?
Usually, completely avoiding movement isn’t the answer.
If a particular activity is aggravating your shoulder, temporarily modifying the movement or reducing the amount of load can help settle your symptoms.
At the same time, gradually rebuilding the strength and capacity of the shoulder is often an important part of recovery.
For example, this might involve starting with exercises that are comfortable and manageable before progressively increasing resistance, range of movement and functional activities.
The goal isn’t simply to make the shoulder pain-free at rest. It’s to help your shoulder become strong and capable enough to handle the activities you want to return to.
When Should You See a Physiotherapist?
If your shoulder pain isn’t improving, is getting worse or is affecting your ability to work, exercise or perform everyday activities, it may be worth getting assessed.
You should also seek assessment following a significant injury, particularly if you have substantial weakness or difficulty moving your arm.
A physiotherapist can assess your shoulder, identify factors that may be contributing to your symptoms and develop an appropriate rehabilitation program.
The Bottom Line
Shoulder pain when lifting your arm is common, but it doesn’t automatically mean you’ve damaged something.
In many cases, the shoulder can improve by modifying aggravating activities and gradually rebuilding strength and capacity.
If your shoulder pain is stopping you from doing the things you enjoy, a physiotherapy assessment can help you understand what is going on and determine the best way forward.
Experiencing shoulder pain? Contact CB Physiotherapy to arrange an assessment.