Do you feel a sharp pain in your shoulder when you lift your arm? Does it hurt to reach behind your back or sleep on your side? If so, you might be dealing with shoulder impingement—a common cause of shoulder pain.
Shoulder impingement refers to the compression of muscles and tendons in the shoulder. Sometimes, these soft tissues get squeezed or “pinched” when you raise your arm. This can lead to inflammation, pain, and restricted movement.
Common signs of shoulder impingement:
- It hurts to lift your arm above your head
- You feel a pinching or sharp pain in the front or side of your shoulder
- It’s hard to reach behind your back
- Your shoulder hurts when you lie on it at night
- Your arm feels weak or stiff
What Causes Shoulder Impingement?
- Doing repetitive shoulder movements over and over (like painting, swimming, or lifting)
- Slouching or poor posture
- Weak or tight shoulder muscles
- Previous shoulder injuries
When to See a Physiotherapist?
- The pain lasts more than a few days
- It’s getting harder to move your arm
- Pain is stopping you from doing daily activities or exercise
- You’re relying on painkillers but still feel sore
How a Physio Can Help
A physiotherapist can:
- Conduct a comprehensive assessment on your shoulder to identify the cause of shoulder impingement
- Give hands-on treatment to reduce stiffness and tightness of the shoulder muscles
- Show you the right exercises to ease pain and improve shoulder movements
- Help your shoulder muscles get stronger
- Teach you better posture and movement habits
- Advise on how to modify your activities to avoid aggravating your shoulder
- Education to help you understand your condition and prevent future issues
- Help you get back to doing what you enjoy without pain
Shoulder impingement often gets worse if you ignore it. Getting help early means a faster recovery and less chance of long-term problems. Book a session with our qualified physiotherapists today!
