How is shoulder pain treated?

Shoulder pain can come from the joint, tendons, muscles, nearby structures or pain referred from elsewhere. A clinician considers where the pain is felt, how it started, which movements reproduce it, and whether weakness or stiffness is present. Shoulder osteoarthritis, an AC joint injury, biceps tendinitis and calcific tendinitis have different treatment priorities.

Keep the shoulder gently active, but reduce lifting or reaching that clearly worsens pain. Cold or warmth may be useful for comfort, depending on which feels better. Physiotherapy can restore movement and build strength once the irritability of the problem is understood. A clinician may discuss pain relief, a cortisone injection, or shockwave therapy for selected tendon problems. The right option depends on examination findings rather than the pain location alone.

Arrange medical review if pain lasts, repeatedly returns, wakes you, or limits dressing, work or sport. Seek urgent help after injury when the shoulder is deformed, the arm cannot be used, or the hand becomes numb, cold or pale. Chest pressure, breathlessness, faintness, or sweating with shoulder pain needs emergency assessment.

Ask what structure may be causing the pain, which activities are safe, whether physiotherapy or an injection fits the diagnosis, and what change should trigger reassessment.