This specialised “ball and socket” joint allows us to swing our arms in all directions. However the price we pay for this flexibility is a reduction in the stability of the joint. Compare the movements of your arm with those of your legs. The hip is also a “ball and socket” joint. The hip is much less flexible however much more stable.

The most common cause of shoulder pain is due to overuse or strain of the muscles. Bad posture, or sleeping in a “funny” position can both lead to tightness in the muscles around the shoulder joint. Carrying heavy shopping bags can also lead to strain of the muscles and tendons.

Other causes of shoulder pain include;

Frozen shoulder: A constant pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint accompanied by a reduction in the range of movements. Typically it will be difficult to raise the arms above the head. Frozen shoulders are the result of swelling and tightness of tissues surrounding the shoulder joint. The swelling reduces the space that the humerus has to rotate around in the socket making movements stiff and difficult. This is more common in women and seen mostly in patients over the age of forty.

Rotator cuff disorders: The group of muscles and tendons holding the shoulder joint in place can become inflamed or even torn. Even small tears in these tendons can be incredibly painful. It has been estimated that almost half of patients over the age of sixty have partial tears in these tendons. The pain can lead to a reduction in movement and in turn stiffness of the joint.