Shoulder pain can range from mildly annoying to severely debilitating. There are several types of shoulder pain, each with its causes and symptoms, as well as different treatments you can use to address it. Here are the three most common types of shoulder pain and how to treat them.

1) Bursitis

Posterior shoulder pain may be caused by bursitis. A bursa is a small sac that reduces friction when tissues rub together, like when you rotate your arm. Bursitis happens when the bursa between the muscles at the back of your shoulder becomes swollen, irritated, or infected. Rheumatoid arthritis, tendonitis, and epicondylitis are other causes of posterior shoulder pain. A physical therapist can assess which diagnosis is correct for you by performing several tests.

2) Frozen shoulder

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that causes stiffness in the shoulder, poor range of motion, and pain. This can lead to complete loss of mobility in the shoulder. A frozen shoulder is caused by an injury or improper alignment in the shoulder joint, which causes scar tissue around the tendon (or tough connecting cord) from muscles in the area. Eventually, this scar tissue will freeze over time, leading to a frozen shoulder.

3) Rotator cuff tear

One type of shoulder pain is known as a rotator cuff tear. This occurs when one or more of the rotators in your shoulder becomes torn. Some say it feels like someone punched their arm behind them, causing a sharp pain that lasts for days. Diagnosis is made with an MRI, and surgery might be necessary depending on the severity, especially if you're experiencing loss of range of motion or weakness in your arm.

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