Shoulder pain: common causes and when to get help
A guide to why shoulders become painful, what tends to contribute, general self-care and the signs that need medical attention.
The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body, which makes it flexible but also easy to irritate. Shoulder pain is often linked to the tendons and muscles that move and steady the joint, and it can also be felt as a referral from the neck.
When to get urgent help
Call 999 straight away if shoulder or arm pain comes with any of these. Shoulder pain can sometimes be referred from the heart.
- Chest pain or pressure, breathlessness, sweating or feeling faint, particularly with pain spreading into the left arm, neck or jaw
- A shoulder that looks out of place or deformed after an injury
- Sudden loss of the ability to lift your arm after a fall
What it can feel like
- Pain when lifting the arm, reaching overhead or reaching behind you
- An ache at the top or outer part of the shoulder that can spread down the upper arm
- Difficulty sleeping on the affected side
- Weakness or a catching feeling during certain movements
Common contributors
- Overload or irritation of the rotator cuff tendons, for example after lots of overhead activity, swimming, lifting or racket sports
- Sudden increases in training or an unfamiliar task such as decorating
- Stiffness or sensitivity in the neck and upper back that affects how the shoulder moves
- Sustained postures, such as working at a desk with the arms unsupported
- Age-related changes in the tendons, which are common and do not always cause pain
General self-care
These are general comfort measures many people find reasonable. They are not a treatment plan, and what suits one person may not suit another.
- Avoid complete rest. Keep the arm moving gently within comfort
- Ease off the activities that clearly aggravate the pain for a short time, then return gradually
- Support the arm on a pillow when lying down if that helps you sleep
- Warmth can feel comfortable before activity and ice can feel comfortable after. Use whichever you prefer and protect your skin
- If you use over-the-counter pain relief, follow the packet instructions or ask a pharmacist
When to see your GP
See your GP promptly, or call NHS 111, if you have any of the following:
- Pain after a fall or significant injury
- A hot, red, swollen shoulder, especially with a fever
- Unexplained weight loss or constant night pain unrelated to position
Consider seeing your GP if:
- Shoulder pain after a fall or injury, especially if you cannot lift the arm
- Pain that is not improving after several weeks
- A shoulder that is hot, red and swollen, particularly if you also have a fever
Where an osteopath fits in
There is limited good-quality research showing that hands-on treatment changes the course of shoulder pain, so I do not claim that osteopathy treats it.
An NHS trust leaflet on rotator cuff-related shoulder pain describes exercise as the main recommended treatment, with improvement often taking at least 12 weeks.
What an osteopath can usefully do is examine the shoulder together with your neck and upper back (shoulder pain is sometimes referred from the neck), look at how you load the arm in daily life and sport, and help you build a graded exercise plan. Graded exercise is the best-supported approach for most tendon-related shoulder pain. If the assessment suggests you need your GP, a physiotherapist or a specialist instead, I will tell you.
If you would like your symptoms assessed, you are welcome to book an appointment. Osteopathic care is not right for everyone, and if something needs medical attention first, I will tell you.
Common questions
Why does my shoulder hurt when I lift my arm?
A common reason is irritation of the rotator cuff tendons, which happens when the load on them exceeds what they are currently able to cope with. It can build up gradually or follow a sudden increase in activity.
Should I rest a painful shoulder?
An NHS trust leaflet advises keeping the arm in normal use as far as possible, because resting it for too long can weaken the rotator cuff. Pacing activity and gradually increasing exercise is usually more helpful.
Free 5-minute exercise sheet
A simple, printable sheet of gentle exercises and stretches, about five minutes a day, based on NHS physiotherapy leaflets. It is general information, not a personal treatment plan, and it is not suitable if you have any of the urgent signs listed above.
Sources and further reading
Links open in a new tab. Sources were checked in October 2026.
Related guides
This page is general information to help you understand common aches and pains. It is not medical advice and cannot diagnose your problem. If you are worried about your symptoms, please speak to your GP or call NHS 111.