Shoulder pain
You can usually do things to ease shoulder pain yourself. See a GP if it does not start feeling better after 2 weeks.
If these symptoms are severe, persistent or worsening, seek medical advice promptly.
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On this page
You can usually do things to ease shoulder pain yourself. See a GP if it does not start feeling better after 2 weeks.
How to ease shoulder pain yourself
You usually need to do these things for 2 weeks before shoulder pain starts to ease.
It can take 6 months or longer to recover from shoulder pain.
Do
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stay active and gently move your shoulder
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try shoulder exercises for 6 to 8 weeks to stop pain returning
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stand up straight with your shoulders down and gently back
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sit with a cushion behind your lower back
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rest your arm on a cushion in your lap
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use pain relief so you can keep moving – try painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen, and heat or cold packs
Putting heat or cold packs on your shoulder
Try either a:
- pack of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel for up to 20 minutes, 3 times a day
- hot water bottle wrapped in a tea towel for up to 20 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day
Don’t
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do not completely stop using your shoulder – this can stop it getting better
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do not do things that seem to make it worse
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do not make up your own strenuous exercises or use heavy gym equipment
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do not slouch when sitting – do not roll your shoulders or bring your neck forward
A pharmacist can help with shoulder pain
A pharmacist may suggest:
- the best painkiller – this might be tablets, or a cream or gel you rub on your skin
- other ideas for pain relief and things you can buy to help, like heat and cold packs
- seeing a GP if you need to
See a GP if:
- shoulder pain is getting worse or does not improve after 2 weeks
- it's very difficult to move your arm or shoulder
Treatments for shoulder pain
A GP will examine you to work out what's causing your shoulder pain.
They might send you for tests (such as an X-ray) to check the cause.
They'll suggest a treatment based on the cause, for example:
- stronger medicine or injections to ease pain and swelling
- physiotherapy or exercises to do at home
- things to avoid to stop the pain getting worse or returning
- seeing a specialist for tests or treatment
Physiotherapy for shoulder pain
The number of physiotherapy sessions you may have depends on the cause of your shoulder pain.
If you're still in pain after your sessions end, go back to the GP. They might prescribe more physiotherapy or suggest another treatment.
Self-refer for treatment
If you have shoulder pain, you might be able to refer yourself directly to services for help with your condition without seeing a GP.
To find out if there are any services in your area:
- ask the reception staff at your GP surgery
- check your GP surgery's website
- contact your integrated care board (ICB) – find your local ICB
Causes of shoulder pain
Shoulder pain that does not improve after 2 weeks might be caused by something that needs treatment.
But do not self-diagnose. See a GP if you're worried.
| Shoulder symptoms | Possible causes |
|---|---|
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Pain and stiffness that does not go away over months or years |
Frozen shoulder, arthritis (osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis) |
|
Pain that's often worse while using your arm or shoulder |
Tendonitis, bursitis, impingement |
|
Tingling, numb, weak arm, feels like the shoulder is clicking or locking |
Shoulder instability, sometimes because of hypermobility |
|
Sudden very bad pain, cannot move your arm (or it's difficult), sometimes changes shape |
Dislocated shoulder, broken bone (such as a broken arm or broken collarbone), torn or ruptured tendon |
|
Pain on top of the shoulder (where the collarbone and shoulder joint meet) |
Problems in the acromioclavicular joint, like dislocation or stretched or torn ligaments |
