Shoulder Pain – Common Causes, Symptoms, and Shoulder Protection
The shoulder joint is the most mobile joint in the body and therefore also one of the most vulnerable to pain and injury. The problems are often caused by inflammation, overload or ruptures in the muscles, tendons and ligaments that stabilize the shoulder.
What is shoulder pain?
Shoulder pain can have many different causes, but one thing in common is that it often affects everyday movements such as lifting, carrying or working with the arms above the head. The shoulder joint has a flat glenohumeral joint and a relatively loose joint capsule, which means that stability is largely based on muscles and tendons. This makes the shoulder extra sensitive to injuries, overload and inflammation.
Common causes & risk factors
Shoulder pain often occurs when working with the arms in awkward positions for long periods of time, such as above the head. Occupations and activities such as painting, construction work or working above shoulder height pose an increased risk. Sports such as racket sports, volleyball, throwing sports and weightlifting also put a lot of strain on the shoulder. Local inflammation of the bursa or tendon attachments are common causes of shoulder pain.
Symptoms
- Pain when moving or putting pressure on the shoulder
- Stiffness and limited range of motion
- Difficulty working with arms above head
- Shoulder weakness
- In some cases, local swelling or heat increase
When should you seek medical attention?
Seek medical attention if the pain does not improve with relief and self-care, if you experience severe restriction of movement, nocturnal pain that disrupts sleep, or if you suspect a major injury, for example after a fall.
Recommended protection & support
A warming and compressive shoulder brace can relieve muscle and tendon attachments and provide relief from pain. The supports help stabilize the joint, reduce inflammation and improve blood circulation. Ergonomic aids and adapted working posture also help prevent and relieve shoulder pain. See all our shoulder products here.
About our Injury Guide – quick guidance in case of complaints
In our Injury Guide, you will receive clear and easy-to-understand information about common injuries, how they occur and what symptoms usually occur. You will also receive recommendations on which protection and aids can relieve your discomfort and help you further in your rehabilitation. All information is based on expert knowledge from our licensed physiotherapist.
For more information about shoulder and neck problems, you can read more in the Shoulder & Neck Injury Guide, and you can also go to the Injury Guide's main page to read about other injuries and symptoms.
Related injuries:
Find the right protection for your needs
There are several ways to find the right product on our website. For a more personalised selection, you can use our filters and sort by injury, body part or sport. You can also get help from our AI assistant Eir, who is trained on all the content on our website and can help you with product recommendations, fit questions and order-related concerns – 24/7. If you would rather speak directly to our licensed physiotherapist, Ida, you can reach her via email or phone for personal advice and support in your product selection.
