14 Most Common Shoulder Pain Causes

Shoulder pain affects millions of people all over the world at any one time, and it can be a problem that comes and goes or sticks around for the long run. Several joints combine together to make up the part of the body that most people know as the shoulder, and the mobility of the shoulder is what makes it so important in our day to day lives.

The pain felt in the shoulder that this article refers to can range from the annoying to the debilitating and whilst the common feature is that the pain always occurs in the shoulder, the causes and contributing factors can be numerous and varies.

There is a range of treatment options for shoulder pain, with the best option typically depending on the type of injury and the prognosis for recovery, but a list of 8 of the most common cause of shoulder pain is explained and expanded upon here.

1. Bursitis

The tiny, liquid-filled sacs known as bursae, are located in and around joints throughout the body, with the shoulder being no exception. These bursae act as a suspension system, giving cushioning or padding between our muscles and our soft tissues.

Sometimes, due to overuse, these bursae can become inflamed or irritated, leading to a reduction in mobility of the rotator cuff, and ultimately, to some pretty nasty pain. The pain of bursitis is often described as being similar to tendinitis, however, it is usually pretty difficult to diagnose as it can come on at the same time and in conjunction with tendinitis itself.

Unfortunately for sportsmen and women, overuse of the shoulder is part and parcel of the job, and so regular massage and maintenance is necessary to keep on top of all the inner workings of the shoulder, including the bursae. Bursitis sounds like something that should hurt just from the name, and it certainly does smart!