There can be A LOT of different causes of shoulder pain. Remember, at our clinic we work to dig, find, and FIX the root cause. We do this safely and with natural methods. We always encourage patients to start with natural treatment first which doesn't have side effects. Oftentimes cortisone shots and surgeries will have long-term side effects / consequences. Start conservative and go more invasive as a last resort. Here are some of the most common causes of shoulder pain.

Rotator Cuff Tendonitis

Of all the reasons you can have shoulder pain, injury to your rotator cuff is the most common. 2/3 of people with shoulder pain had a rotator cuff problem. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that attach to the bones of the shoulder joint. The rotator cuff keeps the ball of your upper arm bone centered in your shoulder socket and also helps you raise and rotate your arm. Tendonitis is inflammation of those tendons around the shoulder...typically due to overuse/ repetitive movements.

Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder results when the connective tissue that lines your shoulder joint becomes thickened and inflamed.

Shoulder Impingement

Shoulder impingement often occurs after repeated overhead activity. Shoulder tendons and bursa get impinged between the bones of the shoulder, which wears on the tendons and makes it painful to move your arm. Various positions, including overhead motion, reaching back, or lying on the affected side, make the symptoms worse.

Labral Tears

The labrum is a ring of cartilage that is attached to the rim of the shoulder socket that helps keep the ball of the joint in place by acting as a suction cup. When this cartilage is torn, it is called a labral tear. Labral tears typically result from traumatic injury.

Tendon or Ligament Tears

Tearing of tendons may result from acute injury or degenerative changes in the tendons due to advancing age, long-term overuse and wear and tear, or a sudden injury. These tears may be partial or may completely separate the tendon from its attachment to bone. In most cases of complete tears, the tendon is pulled away from its attachment to the bone. Rotator cuff and biceps tendon injuries are among the most common of these injuries. AC joint ligament tears result from traumatic injury. Shoulder dislocation can also become a chronic repetitive issue when ligaments and tendons are overstretched.

Osteoarthritis

Sometimes called degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis stems from ordinary wear and tear on the shoulder joint. The condition destroys the firm, rubbery cartilage that acts as a cushion between the bones and helps them to glide smoothly against each other. As the cartilage breaks down and the bones of the joint rub against each other, shoulder pain and swelling can limit your range of motion.