Shoulder pain can limit everyday tasks like dressing, driving, or sleeping on your side. Many people describe frustration or worry when pain lingers for weeks or returns after activity. It’s also one of the most common musculoskeletal problems, affecting up to half of adults at some point in their lives 1 2. The good news is that most shoulder pain improves with time, education, and guided exercise - not surgery.
What are the symptoms of shoulder pain?
- Aching or sharp pain around the upper arm or outer shoulder
- Pain when lifting your arm or reaching overhead
- Night pain that disturbs sleep, especially when lying on the sore side
- Stiffness or reduced range of motion
- Weakness or fatigue with overhead tasks
- Clicking, catching, or a sense of instability (like joint popping out sensation)
- Trouble with work, exercise, or dressing
Did you know?
Most people with rotator cuff–related shoulder pain recover fully with exercise and education alone. Large clinical trials found no added long-term benefit of surgery over structured rehabilitation 7 8. That means you can often regain function without invasive procedures.
What causes shoulder pain?
Shoulder pain usually develops from irritation or strain of the tendons and soft tissues that control shoulder movement. Sometimes it follows an injury, but often it builds gradually from everyday activities or posture.Common causes and risk factors include:
- Overuse or repetitive overhead work or sport
- Age over 50, linked to tendon wear and stiffness
- Diabetes or thyroid problems (frozen shoulder risk with pain and gradual loss of motion)
- Poor posture or shoulder blade control
- Traumatic injury or dislocation (upper arm bone pops out of the cup-shaped socket that's part of the shoulder blade)
- Smoking or reduced general fitness 3 4.
When should I see a doctor?
Most shoulder pain improves with gentle activity and home exercises. You should seek medical advice if you notice:
- Sudden pain and weakness after an injury (possible tendon tear)
- Obvious deformity, swelling, or inability to move the arm
- Redness, heat, or fever with shoulder pain
- Numbness, tingling, or spreading pain down the arm
- Pain that does not improve after several weeks of guided exercise
Clinical insight
How is shoulder pain treated?
Most people recover without surgery. Staying mobile, learning how to move safely, and rebuilding strength is key. Typical treatment steps include:
- Education & activity: Modify painful movements but keep the shoulder gently active.
- Exercise-based rehab: Guided strengthening and stretching of the rotator cuff (muscles that move the shoulder in various directions) and shoulder blade muscles to restore motion and control.
- Medications: Short courses of anti-inflammatory or pain-relief medicines if needed.
- Injections: Corticosteroid shots can ease pain short-term to support rehab, but benefits fade after a few weeks.
- Surgery: Reserved for large tendon tears, instability, or arthritis (cartilage and bone wear) that doesn’t improve after months of structured care. Most non-traumatic shoulder pain improves within 6–12 weeks of consistent exercise and activity 5 6.
Sword's approach
Sword Health helps people manage pain and movement issues with expert-guided AI care you can use from home. Our model combines clinical support with modern technology, designed to work around your life.
Sword makes recovery easier and more accessible. You get high-quality care at home, guided by clinicians and supported by smart technology.
- Care that adapts to your progress in real time
- Licensed experts guiding every step
- Simple, non-invasive, evidence-based programs
- Proven results for pain relief, movement, and satisfaction
