Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain can make everyday tasks feel impossible. From reaching for a cup in the cabinet to lifting groceries or carrying your child, pain, stiffness and limited movement in your shoulder can impact your quality of life.
At Abrazo Health and Arizona Sports Medicine Center, we understand how frustrating and debilitating shoulder pain can be. Whether you are dealing with a shoulder injury, arthritis or a torn ligament, our orthopedic team is here to help. We can help diagnose your condition and start treatment right away to help you move comfortably again.
What Is Shoulder Pain?
The shoulder is a complex joint made up of muscles, ligaments, tendons, bones and fluid-filled sacs that all work together in a small space to allow a wide range of motion. Whether scratching your back, reaching for something on a high shelf or throwing a baseball, your shoulder makes these movements possible. Because of this, it is also more vulnerable to injury or overuse, which can lead to pain.
Shoulder pain can be acute or chronic, and it may feel like soreness or discomfort, especially after lifting your arms to clean, paint or play sports. Sometimes, pain occurs even without a specific injury. The rotator cuff, a group of four muscles that stabilize the shoulder joint, plays a significant role in shoulder movement. If the supraspinatus muscle in the rotator cuff becomes inflamed, it can cause pain in the front or outside of your shoulder, especially when lifting your arm or reaching overhead. Many people also notice pain at night, which can be severe enough to wake you or make lying on the affected side uncomfortable.
Because shoulder pain can vary in intensity and cause, it is vital to get a medical diagnosis to determine the best treatment for your situation.
What Causes Shoulder Pain?
Shoulder pain can be caused by many conditions, each affecting how your shoulder moves and feels. Common issues we treat include:
- Rotator cuff injuries - Often happen from overuse or sudden trauma and can lead to pain and limited movement
Learn more about rotator cuff tears with the videos below:
- Shoulder impingement - Occurs when the rotator cuff is repeatedly compressed by surrounding soft tissue, causing pain and inflammation
- Labral tears - Injuries to the cartilage that help keep the shoulder stable are often caused by trauma, sports injuries or wear and tear over time
- Osteoarthritis - A type of joint degeneration that can cause pain, stiffness and reduced mobility
- Bursitis – The inflammation of the small fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion the shoulder joint
- Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) - A condition where pain and stiffness gradually worsen, limiting your shoulder’s range of motion
No matter what is causing your shoulder pain, our team is here for you every step of the way, from diagnosis to personalized treatment plan and follow-up care.
Shoulder Pain Treatment in Phoenix, AZ
Treatment for shoulder pain often depends on the cause and severity of the condition. At Abrazo Health and Arizona Sports Medicine Center, we offer a range of options to help relieve pain and restore movement so you can return to your daily activities.
Most shoulder pain can be managed with rest, medication and physical therapy. It is important to avoid activities that strain the shoulder, such as lifting your arms overhead, until pain improves. Applying ice and taking anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen can help reduce pain and swelling but these should not be used for more than one to two weeks without your doctor’s guidance. For severe pain, steroid injections may be recommended to ease inflammation.
While rest is necessary, keeping your shoulder moving is also important. Physical therapy exercises can help restore strength and mobility over time, preventing stiffness and long-term issues.
In addition to treatment, preventing shoulder pain is essential. Here are a few tips:
- Do not carry heavy shoulder bags. If you must lug heavy contents, use a backpack.
- Listen to mom’s advice. Standing up straight promotes good posture, preventing future problems.
- Take regular breaks at work if your job involves repetitive motion or sitting at a computer all day. Briefly stretching your back and shoulders during the workday can help, too.
- If activity causes soreness or stiffness, give your shoulder adequate rest before engaging in the activity again.
- Ease into a sport you have been away from for a time. For instance, do not spend hours on the tennis court if you have not played since last summer. Tennis players, swimmers and ballplayers have the highest risk of shoulder injuries.
In some cases, surgery may be considered if other treatments have not helped. Procedures such as arthroscopy, rotator cuff repair or shoulder replacement might be options for conditions that do not respond to physical therapy or injections.
Shoulder pain is often not life-threatening, and in many cases, symptoms improve within six months. However, it is essential to see a doctor if:
- Your shoulder joint feels unstable or was recently dislocated
- Your shoulder is red, warm or swollen
- You were injured in an accident and have shoulder pain
- You experience numbness or signs of paralysis
- Your arm feels very weak or you cannot move it properly
- The pain does not go away or gets worse over time
If left untreated, shoulder pain can lead to further complications, such as joint stiffness or long-term mobility problems. Seeking medical care early can help you avoid these issues and safely return to your daily activities.
If shoulder pain keeps you from enjoying your favorite activities, we are here to help. Whether it hurts to swing a tennis racket, garden or reach for something on a high shelf, Abrazo Health, Abrazo Orthopedic Specialists and Arizona Sports Medicine Center provide comprehensive care to relieve pain and restore movement.
Our orthopedic team offers a full range of nonsurgical and surgical treatment options, including:
Nonsurgical Treatments
- Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy
- Percutaneous Tenotomy
- Regenerative Medicine and Orthobiologic Injections
- Ultrasound-Guided Treatment
- AC Joint Injuries/Arthritis
- Biceps Tears/Tendonitis
- Rotator Cuff Tear
- Shoulder Surgery and Arthroscopy Care
- Shoulder Instability
- SLAP Tears
We also offer comprehensive rehabilitation programs to help you regain strength, flexibility and confidence after treatment. To help address your specific needs, we provide personalized care plans with pain management consultation and physical therapy.
At Abrazo Health and Arizona Sports Medicine Center, our orthopedic doctors, nurses and rehabilitation professionals collaborate to ensure you receive compassionate, coordinated care.