This page summarises publicly available NHS information for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice or a diagnosis. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
What is shoulder pain?
Shoulder pain is common and can be caused by many things including poor posture, frozen shoulder, rotator cuff problems, and osteoarthritis. Most shoulder pain is not caused by anything serious and will improve in a few weeks.
When NHS resources suggest seeing a GP
- Pain has not improved after 2 weeks of self-care
- You cannot move your arm or shoulder
- Pain is getting significantly worse
- You have tingling, numbness, or weakness in your arm or hand
Self-care information from NHS
- Stay active and gently move your shoulder
- Take painkillers to ease the pain and help you keep moving
- Stand up straight with shoulders gently back
- Apply an ice pack wrapped in a towel for up to 20 minutes
Common questions
What is frozen shoulder?
Frozen shoulder causes pain and stiffness that gradually gets worse over months, then slowly resolves. It can take 1-3 years to fully recover. Gentle exercises and physiotherapy can help.
How do I know if shoulder pain is serious?
See a GP if you cannot use the arm at all, pain is very severe, or you have sudden weakness. Shoulder pain with breathing difficulty could indicate a more serious condition.
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This page is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about your individual situation. NorMed organises publicly available NHS information and is not affiliated with the NHS.