What Is Causing Your Shoulder Pain?

Watch our orthopedic physical therapists explain common causes of shoulder pain and rotator cuff injuries, what your symptoms may mean, and how physical therapy can help restore strength and movement.

Shoulder Pain & Rotator Cuff Injuries: Causes, Symptoms & How Physical Therapy Can Help

Shoulder pain can make reaching, lifting, exercising, sleeping, and everyday activities uncomfortable. Symptoms may develop gradually from repetitive activity or changes in strength and mobility, or begin after an injury.

The rotator cuff and deltoids are both groups of muscles and tendons that help stabilize and move your shoulder. When these tissues become irritated or injured (tendinopathies or tears), you may experience pain, weakness, stiffness, or difficulty using your arm. 

Physical therapy can help identify what's contributing to your shoulder pain and create a personalized plan to improve strength, mobility, and function.

What Causes Shoulder Pain & Rotator Cuff Injuries?

Several conditions and factors can contribute to shoulder pain, including:

  • Shoulder impingement
  • Muscle or tendon strain
  • Changes in shoulder strength or mobility
  • Repetitive overhead or throwing activities
  • Sports or exercise-related injuries
  • Previous shoulder injuries

Because different shoulder conditions can cause similar symptoms, a physical therapy evaluation can help determine what's contributing to your pain.

What Are the Signs of Shoulder or Rotator Cuff Problems?

Common symptoms may include:

  • Pain when reaching overhead or behind your back or head
  • Shoulder weakness or limited range of motion
  • Pain when lifting or carrying
  • Pain while sleeping on the affected shoulder
  • Shooting pain down the arm
  • Difficulty exercising, working, or completing everyday activities

Persistent or recurring shoulder pain that limits your normal activities may be worth having evaluated.

How Can Physical Therapy Help?

Your physical therapist will evaluate your symptoms, shoulder mobility, strength, movement patterns, and goals to develop an individualized treatment plan.

Treatment may include:

  • Mobility and flexibility exercises
  • Progressive rotator cuff and shoulder strengthening
  • Manual therapy
  • Movement and lifting strategies
  • Activity modifications
  • A personalized home exercise program

The goal is to reduce pain, improve shoulder function, and help you confidently return to the activities that matter to you.

When Should You Seek Help?

Consider scheduling an evaluation if shoulder pain persists or keeps returning, limits your movement or strength, interferes with sleep, or makes work, exercise, or everyday activities difficult.

Seek prompt medical attention after a significant injury, if you're unable to move your arm, notice an obvious deformity, or experience sudden or severe weakness.

At Prosper, we'll take the time to understand your symptoms and goals and create an individualized plan to help you move better, feel stronger, and get back to what you love.

Clinically reviewed by [Orthopedic PT Name], PT, DPT

Common Types of Shoulder Pain & Rotator Cuff Injuries

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Rotator Cuff Injuries

Irritation, strain, or injury to the rotator cuff muscles and tendons, often causing pain, weakness, or difficulty lifting your arm.
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Shoulder Impingement

Pain caused by irritation of tissues in the shoulder, often felt when reaching or lifting your arm overhead.
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Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy

Irritation or overuse of the rotator cuff tendons that can cause shoulder pain, weakness, and discomfort with movement.
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Shoulder Instability

A feeling of looseness, weakness, or instability in the shoulder that may occur after injury or repeated overhead activity.
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Shoulder Stiffness & Limited Mobility

Difficulty moving your shoulder comfortably through its normal range of motion, making reaching, dressing, lifting, or exercising harder.

Shoulder Pain & Rotator Cuff Injuries?

Shoulder pain and rotator cuff injuries can make everyday movements like reaching, lifting, exercising, or sleeping comfortably difficult. Consider seeing a physical therapist if you’re experiencing:

  • Pain when reaching or lifting your arm
  • Shoulder pain or discomfort at night
  • Weakness when lifting or carrying objects
  • Limited shoulder mobility or stiffness
  • Pain with exercise, sports, work, or everyday activities

Physical therapy can help reduce shoulder pain, restore strength and mobility, and address the factors contributing to rotator cuff and other shoulder injuries so you can return to the activities you enjoy.

SCHEDULE AN EVALUATION

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Physical therapy can help reduce shoulder pain, improve mobility and strength, and address movement limitations contributing to your symptoms. Treatment is personalized based on your specific injury, activities, and goals.

Common symptoms include shoulder pain, weakness, difficulty lifting or reaching overhead, limited range of motion, and pain when lying on the affected shoulder. Symptoms can vary depending on the type and severity of the injury.

Shoulder pain can develop from overuse, repetitive overhead activity, sports or work injuries, changes in strength or mobility, or irritation of the rotator cuff tendons and surrounding tissues. A physical therapy evaluation can help identify factors contributing to your symptoms.

Consider an evaluation if shoulder pain is persistent or recurring, limits your movement, causes weakness, interferes with sleep, or makes work, exercise, sports, or everyday activities difficult.

Prosper Physical Therapy Specialists

100 Regency Forest Dr, Ste 130
Cary, NC
27518-8597

984-999-1101

admin@prosperpts.com

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