Services We Offer
Shoulder
The shoulder region is complex because of how it interacts with multiple parts of the body at the same time. in fact, it’s rare for only one muscle in the shoulder girdle to work in isolation.
Joints of the Shoulder Girdle
The shoulder girdle is made up of four joints:
Glenohumeral (GH) joint
Scapulothoracic joint
Acromioclavicular (AC) joint
Sternoclavicular (SC) joint
Glenohumeral (GH) Joint
The GH joint is a ball-and-socket joint that connects the humerus (arm) to the scapula (shoulder blade). Connective tissue called the labrum (similar to the hip joint) creates a protective seal around this joint as well as other ligaments before being reinforced by the four rotator cuff muscles:
Supraspinatus muscle
Infraspinatus muscle
Teres minor muscle
Subscapularis muscle
Mobility vs. Stability
The glenohumeral (GH) joint is built for far greater mobility than the hip. Its shallow cavity, known as the glenoid fossa, allows the arm to move through a wide range of motion. This design makes the shoulder incredibly versatile, but it also comes with drawbacks—the joint is more prone to overuse injuries and dislocations. By comparison, the hip joint sits in a much deeper cavity called the acetabulum, which provides greater stability but limits mobility.
Common Causes Of Shoulder Pain
The many moving parts and design of the shoulder girdle makes it susceptible to traumatic and overuse injuries. Falling on an outstretched hand (FOOSH) is one of the most common ways to sustain a traumatic shoulder injury. Many overuse injuries are caused by repetitive movement with poor positioning or posture.
Other causes of shoulder pain include:
Shoulder impingement syndrome
Rotator cuff tendonitis/tendonosis
Bicipital tendonitis
Rotator cuff tears
SLAP tears
Bankart lesion
AC sprains/separations
Hypermobility
Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder)
And more
Common symptoms include:
Difficulty reaching out to the side or over head
Clicking/popping with movement
Instability or feeling like your shoulder is “shifting” around
Swelling or stiffness
Pain (aching, sharp, dull)
Weakness
Difficulty with dressing/undressing
How Physical Therapy Helps You
Shoulder pain can really limit your ability to work, sleep, and enjoy your hobbies. Your symptoms can be local (within the shoulder), referred pain from a muscle, or radiate from the neck. A physical therapist can evaluate you to determine the cause of your symptoms to help manage pain, improve mobility, and restore strength.
Following the initial evaluation, your physical therapist will determine and discuss the cause of your pain or issues. Together, you and your physical therapist will set goals specific to your needs and create a plan of care. Your plan of care will help you accomplish your goals and get you back to what you enjoy doing!
Living with pain does not have to be your new norm. Contact us to get a free phone consult and schedule an initial appointment if you’re suffering from shoulder pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the shoulder joint more prone to injuries than the hip?
The shoulder joint is built for mobility, not stability. Because it has a shallow socket (glenoid fossa), it allows for a wide range of motion but makes the joint more vulnerable to overuse injuries and dislocations. The hip, by contrast, has a deeper socket (acetabulum) that provides greater stability.
What are the most common causes of shoulder pain?
Shoulder pain can come from both traumatic events and overuse. A common injury mechanism is falling on an outstretched hand (FOOSH). Repetitive movements with poor posture or positioning can also cause problems. Specific conditions include impingement, rotator cuff tendonitis, SLAP tears, AC joint separations, frozen shoulder, and more.
What symptoms should I look out for?
Typical signs of shoulder problems include pain (aching, sharp, or dull), stiffness, swelling, clicking or popping during movement, weakness, difficulty lifting your arm overhead or to the side, and even trouble with everyday tasks like dressing.
How can physical therapy help with shoulder pain?
Physical therapy focuses on reducing pain, restoring mobility, and improving strength. A physical therapist will evaluate your condition, identify the underlying cause, and design a personalized treatment plan with exercises, stretches, and manual techniques to help you recover safely.
Is all shoulder pain caused by the shoulder joint itself?
Not always. Shoulder pain can be local to the joint, referred from surrounding muscles, or even radiate from the neck. That’s why a thorough evaluation is important to pinpoint the exact source of the problem.