Shoulder & Arm Injury/Pain

Why does my shoulder and arm hurt?

The shoulder joint is a complex combination of bones which come together to join the arm to the torso. It is considered a ball and socket joint due to the rounded shape of your upper arm bone (humerus) joining together with the cup shaped end of the shoulder blade (scapula). Another joint associated with the shoulder includes the joint formed by the acromion (projection of the scapula) and the clavicle (collarbone). A group of muscles, known for together as the rotator cuff, surround the shoulder to help stabilize and allow your arm to move freely. Rotator cuff muscles and their tendons are typically injured due to abrupt trauma or repeated overuse especially as we age. Pain of the shoulder can be due to other injured structures, such as the labrum and surrounding ligaments, and or diseases of various organs (e.g. liver, lungs, heart, and gallbladder) which radiate pain area.

Although surgical intervention is sometimes immediately required to address a shoulder impairment, getting physical therapy treatment can effectively reduce or eliminate your shoulder pain.