Shoulder Pain & Injury | Causes & Symptoms

How to Identify a Shoulder Injury

If you suspect a shoulder injury or have a shoulder joint pain, it’s important to see a qualified physician to receive an accurate assessment of the injury. If you choose to ignore the pain, you could aggravate the condition and potentially cause more issues.

Common symptoms of a shoulder injury include:

Stiffness in the shoulder joint
Inability to rotate the arm in regular positions
Feeling like the shoulder could pop or slide out of the socket
Aching, roaming pain that’s hard to pinpoint

Although it is helpful to be educated on shoulder injury treatment, the best thing you can do when an injury occurs is to contact a qualified healthcare professional.

What Causes Shoulder Pain or Injury?

There are several causes of shoulder muscle pain or injury. The shoulder is one of the most mobile joints in the body, therefore it may be more vulnerable to injury.

Rotator Cuff injuries

A rotator cuff injury is damage or irritation to the group of muscles and tendons that stabilise the shoulder

Common problems include:

Tendon inflammation (tendinitis)

Tendon degeneration (tendinopathy)

Partial or full tendon tears

Often caused by:

Repetitive overhead movements

Heavy lifting

Sports such as swimming, tennis, cricket, and baseball

Age-related wear and tear

Shoulder Impingement

Shoulder impingement is a condition where the tendons or bursa in the shoulder become compressed or irritated during arm movements, causing pain and limited range of motion.

Symptoms:

Pain when lifting the arm

Pain reaching overhead

Weakness or reduced range of motion

Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulits)

Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is a condition where the shoulder joint capsule becomes stiff and thickened, causing pain and a progressive loss of shoulder movement.

Risk factors include:

Diabetes

Prolonged immobilisation after injury or surgery

Middle age

Symptoms:

Gradual onset of pain

Progressive stiffness

Difficulty performing daily activities

Muscle Strains and Overuse

Muscle strains and overuse injuries occur when muscles or tendons are stretched, overloaded, or repeatedly stressed, leading to pain, inflammation, and reduced function.

Common after:

Weight training

Manual labour

Sudden increases in activity

Poor posture while working at a desk

Symptoms:

Aching pain

Tenderness

Mild weakness

Dislocation or Instability

Shoulder dislocation or instability occurs when the upper arm bone partially or completely slips out of the shoulder socket, causing pain, weakness, and a feeling that the shoulder may "give way."

Usually caused by:

Falls

Contact sports

Trauma

Symptoms:

Severe pain

Visible deformity

Inability to move the shoulder normally

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, please seek medical advice from your doctor.

How to Manage a Shoulder Injury

Treatment depends on the cause and severity of the injury; early management can help reduce pain, minimise swelling, and support recovery.

Rest the shoulder and avoid activities that worsen the pain.

Apply cold therapy to the affected area for 15-20 minutes at a time, every 2-3 hours during the first 48 hours after injury. This may help reduce pain and swelling.

Use support or compression where appropriate to help stabilise the joint and limit unnecessary movement.

Maintain gentle mobility once pain allows, as prolonged immobility may contribute to stiffness.

Seek medical advice if the pain is severe, the shoulder appears deformed, you are unable to move the arm, or symptoms do not improve over time.

Elastoplast offers a range of shoulder injury management products to help you protect and care for you and your family.

While you are waiting for a physician, be sure to rest the sore shoulder in a comfortable and safe position close to the body. Apply cold to the affected area for 20 minutes every 2 hours to help reduce any swelling.

You can also follow this taping technique to help to reduce muscle pain, increase blood flow, avoid cramps and assist in the reduction of bruising.

Step 1

Attach anchors over the shoulder, and around the chest below the nipple with Elastoplast Rigid Strapping Tape. Add another anchor on the arm. Make sure the nipple is protected using a nipple foam ring or foam covering piece.

Step 2

Apply 2-3 diagonal straps of Elastoplast Rigid Strapping Tape from the shoulder anchor to the arm anchor and repeat in the opposite direction.

Step 3

Repeat strapping several times for increased joint support and to further restrict mobility in the shoulder joint. Reinforce with extra strips along the anchors (shown in white).

Step 4

Overwrap with Elastoplast Cohesive Compression Bandage using an overlapping spiral with a figure 8 at the shoulder joint to completely cover the rigid tape. (This will help provide extra protection). Use Elastoplast Rigid Strapping Tape to lock the bandage in position.

How to Prevent a Shoulder Injury?

There are several proactive ways you can help prevent shoulder injuries from occurring or reoccurring.

Remain hydrated before, during and after exercise

Practice sport using the correct technique to avoid muscle fatigue

Focus on ensuring equal flexibility in all areas of the shoulder joint with strengthening exercises and stretches, before and after workouts.

Build strong core muscles before playing sport to avoid any extra strain being passed on to the shoulder joint

Optimise your workspace so it is ergonomically suited to your body

Be conscious of walking, standing and sitting with optimal posture.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes shoulder joint pain?

Most shoulder pain is caused by injuries or strain affecting the ligaments, muscles, and tendons in and around the shoulder joint. Bone-related injuries, such as fractures of the collarbone, upper arm, or shoulder blade, can also cause shoulder pain.

How do you know if I have a shoulder injury?

Common signs of a shoulder injury include stiffness, difficulty rotating the arm, a feeling that the shoulder may pop out of place, and aching pain that can be difficult to pinpoint. If you suspect an injury, it is important to see a qualified physician for an accurate assessment.

What is the best treatment for a shoulder injury?

The best treatment depends on the type and severity of the injury, so professional medical advice is recommended. In the meantime, rest the shoulder, keep it in a comfortable position close to the body, and apply a cold pack for 20 minutes every two hours to help reduce swelling.

When should I see a doctor for shoulder pain?

You should see a doctor as soon as you suspect a shoulder injury to ensure you receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Ignoring shoulder pain may aggravate the condition and potentially lead to further problems.

Shoulder Pain and Injury – Most shoulder pain and injuries involve the ligaments, muscles and tendons in and around the shoulder joint. Other bone-related injuries include fractures of the collarbone, the upper arm or shoulder blade.

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