Shoulder & Arm Pain
Shoulder and arm pain go beyond discomfort – they can limit mobility, disrupt daily activities, and make even simple tasks feel challenging.
What Is Shoulder & Arm Pain ?
Shoulder and arm pain can result from various conditions affecting the muscles, tendons, joints, and nerves. One of the most common causes is rotator cuff injuries, which involve the muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder joint. These injuries can occur from repetitive motion, lifting heavy objects, or trauma. Another frequent cause is tendinitis, particularly in the shoulder (such as biceps tendinitis), which is the inflammation of tendons due to overuse or aging.
Other causes of shoulder and arm pain include bursitis (inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs that cushion joints), impingement syndrome (where the shoulder tendons rub against the bone), and frozen shoulder, which leads to stiffness and pain. Nerve compression or damage, such as from a herniated disc in the neck, can radiate pain down the arm, often causing numbness or tingling. Trauma from accidents, such as fractures or dislocations, can also lead to acute shoulder and arm pain.
What Are The Symptoms Of Shoulder & Arm Pain ?
The symptoms of shoulder and arm pain can vary depending on the underlying cause but typically include pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion. Pain may be sharp, aching, or throbbing, and it can be felt in the shoulder, upper arm, or radiating down the forearm and hand. For some, the pain may worsen with certain movements, such as lifting, reaching, or rotating the arm.
Other common symptoms include swelling, tenderness, or a feeling of weakness in the arm. Numbness or tingling, particularly if the pain extends down the arm or into the fingers, may indicate nerve involvement, such as with a herniated disc or compression of the brachial plexus. In cases of impingement or rotator cuff injuries, the pain is often more pronounced when lifting the arm or sleeping on the affected side. In severe cases, shoulder and arm pain can cause difficulty performing everyday tasks, like carrying groceries or getting dressed.
What Is Our Approach To Fixing/Treating Shoulder & Arm Pain ?
If you’re suffering from shoulder and arm pain, you’ve probably already tried exercising, medications, over-the-counter anti-inflammatories, hot rubs, icing, heat, and more.
However, many of these methods only offer temporary relief. You would benefit from a specialist who can fully assess your history and identify the true cause of your pain. At We Got Your Back PT, Pilates, & Wellness, we are skilled in evaluating shoulder, arm, and even hand pain, as well as neck pain, and can quickly deduce the underlying issue to treat it more effectively.
When treating symptoms, as you’ve likely noticed, the relief can often be short-lived. Using our manual therapy techniques, specific exercises, postural re-education, and targeted strengthening and stretching, we address the root cause of your pain, not just the symptoms.
We specialize in spine-related issues and radicular symptoms, which involve neurological discomfort originating from the spine or along the nervous and vascular pathways. Our team can quickly differentiate between conditions such as a rotator cuff strain or tear, lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), golfer’s elbow, and thoracic outlet syndrome, where the arms feel heavy or fatigued.
With so many potential causes of pain, we are experts in identifying the culprit and providing effective, efficient treatment to get you back to doing the things you love.
Download Our Free Report
Are you struggling with shoulder or arm pain? Our free shoulder and arm pain report is packed with helpful tips and tricks to relieve pain at home, detailed information about common causes, and clear next steps to help you get on the path to recovery. Download your free report now and take control of your recovery today!