Loudoun County, Va. — The most common perpetrators of shoulder pain are impingement of the rotator cuff muscles and biceps tendons. They hurt when you lift your arm above shoulder height. This can become a vicious cycle because repetitive motion can cause pain, which stops you from lifting your arm above your head and reaching for your favorite coffee cup out of the cupboard, or putting on your afternoon/evening T-shirt.

Common Causes of Shoulder Injury

Shoulder injuries are one of the most common injuries. Most shoulder discomfort or pain is caused from an injury itself or from overuse.

Some of the most common ailments related to the shoulder include:

• Tight/overworked muscles
• Tendonitis
• Impingement
• Joint stiffness
• Traumatic injury/dislocation
• Weak muscles
• Repetitive movement
• Poor shoulder mechanics

Indicators of Shoulder Injury

Shoulder pain can present itself in many different ways.

• You may first notice pain and/or tightness when moving your arm in certain directions.
• Then, it may progress to where you start to lose range of motion.
  • Range of motion loss is often first seen when trying to tuck in a shirt, fasten a bra or reach into a cabinet.
• Sometimes, shoulder pain can manifest itself further down the arm as well.

Note from our sponsor: Don’t wait and allow the pain to progress and affect your daily activities or your work. Seek help as soon as the problem starts. Physical therapy is an effective, conservative way to relieve your shoulder pain and help you return to washing and brushing your hair, driving, playing your weekend tennis game and other activities you enjoy doing pain free. At Loudoun Sports Therapy Center, our Physical Therapists will develop an individualized plan specific to your needs.