Suspect a rotator cuff problem if you have pain or stiffness in your shoulder when you lift your arm above your head to brush your hair or when you reach behind your back. Most problems with the rotator cuff fall into two categories: tears or inflammation. Some two million people visit a doctor each year for rotator cuff–related issues, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery (AAOS). Your rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that help tether your shoulder into the socket and allow you to move it in a circular motion. However, if the pain doesn't go away after a few weeks, you should consult your doctor. In general, if you are experiencing a lot of pain or know you injured yourself, it's best to see a doctor right away to have your shoulder condition diagnosed.īut if you have general, mild shoulder pain, try adjusting your activities, taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and performing mild stretches to see if the pain improves on its own. Arun Ramappa, associate professor of orthopedic surgery at Harvard Medical School. This can happen with certain neck problems, including arthritis and disc herniations, says Dr.

Sometimes problems in other parts of the body are actually the source of the pain, which then radiates to your shoulder. If you do experience shoulder pain, it's not always possible to figure out the cause. The pain can come on gradually or abruptly, and it may range from mild to excruciating.īelow are some of the most common conditions you may encounter, and some tips for how to address them. 'Shoulder problems are very common,' says Dr. Shoulder pain can make a simple act - brushing and drying your hair, reaching behind your back to fasten a bra, or grabbing something overhead - seem like a monumental task.Īs you age, you're more likely to experience shoulder pain from a variety of common conditions. You probably don't think about your shoulders much, until you suddenly experience pain in one of them.

Some shoulder conditions may become more common as you age.

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