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Shoulder Pain

Understanding Shoulder Pain: Causes, Evaluation, and Why Physical Therapy Works
Young Asian man suffering from back pain, shoulder pain and office syndrome.

Shoulder pain is a common issue across all age groups. It affects young athletes, college students, CrossFitters, middle-aged desk workers, and active or aging adults alike.

The causes can range from overuse injuries and postural dysfunction to trauma or degeneration. That wide range is exactly why seeing a trained professional is crucial.

Pain in the shoulder region is often misinterpreted. Some people say “shoulder pain” when they’re actually talking about discomfort in the upper back, neck, or even their scapula.

True shoulder pain typically refers to the glenohumeral joint—the ball-and-socket joint where the arm connects to the torso—but without a proper assessment, it’s easy to get it wrong.

A physical therapist specializes in identifying where your pain is really coming from. Through detailed movement analysis, joint testing, and hands-on evaluation, they can determine whether your issue is muscular, joint-related, or coming from another region entirely.

More importantly, a PT can help you heal without relying on unnecessary medications, injections, or surgery.

What Causes Pain In the Shoulder Region?

There are four primary regions that can contribute to shoulder pain: the neck (cervical spine), collarbone (clavicle), scapula (shoulder blade), and the glenohumeral joint itself. Additional structures like ligaments, tendons, nerves, and surrounding musculature can also play a major role.

Common causes of pain include:

  • Rotator cuff tendonitis or tears
  • Muscle strains
  • Ligament sprains
  • Shoulder impingement
  • Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
  • Dislocations or subluxations
  • Nerve impingement from the neck or upper spine

Rotator Cuff Pain

One of the most frequently diagnosed sources of shoulder pain involves the rotator cuff—a group of four muscles responsible for stabilizing and moving the shoulder joint: supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, and teres minor. Whether due to repetitive strain or trauma, these muscles can become irritated, weak, or even torn.

At Rx Rehab, our physical therapists use a combination of special orthopedic tests, hands-on techniques, and real-time movement assessments to pinpoint the root of the problem and create a custom recovery plan.

If you’re experiencing shoulder pain that won’t go away—or keeps coming back—it’s time to get it looked at. The sooner you identify the source, the faster you can get back to full, pain-free function.

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(385) 800-1156