You reach for something on a high shelf and suddenly notice your shoulder is not moving as easily as before. Maybe putting on your shirt feels uncomfortable now, or you wake up at night because you’ve rolled onto the painful side. It’s common to think, “I’m over 50, this is probably just part of aging.”
However, shoulder pain shouldn’t automatically be seen as a normal aging sign. If the pain persists, worsens, or starts limiting your daily activities, it’s important to explore shoulder pain treatment options instead of just hoping it will resolve on its own.
What Causes Shoulder Pain to Become More Common After Age 50?
Your shoulders help you in numerous everyday tasks, such as lifting, reaching for things, putting things away, and even while getting dressed. As time passes, you may become less active, which can affect your strength and mobility. At the same time, earlier injuries, repetitive movements and changes in the way you move start to catch up.
That does not mean that being over 50 automatically causes shoulder pain. It simply means several factors can contribute to it.
Sometimes the pain starts after a clear incident, such as lifting something heavy or doing some gardening. Other times, it seems to appear out of nowhere. You may wake up one morning and realise that reaching overhead suddenly feels uncomfortable.
What Does Shoulder Pain Actually Feel Like?
Shoulder pain can be different from person to person.
For some, it is a constant dull ache. For others, there is a sharper pain when they reach in a certain direction. You may notice stiffness first, followed by difficulty moving your arm normally.
Some common signs include:
- Pain when lifting your arm
- Difficulty reaching overhead
- Stiffness in the shoulder
- Reduced shoulder movement
- Pain when reaching behind your back
- Discomfort when sleeping on one side
- Shoulder pain that gets worse at night
- Weakness when lifting or carrying something
You needn’t have all of these symptoms for your shoulder to need attention.
If something you typically do suddenly becomes hard or painful, then it’s a sign to pay attention.
It May Not Always Be a Shoulder Problem
This can be confusing because pain felt around your shoulder does not necessarily mean the shoulder itself is the source.
Your neck, upper back, shoulder blade and shoulder all work together. Issues in one rea can sometimes affect how another rea feels or moves.
For instance, spending long hours at a desk or looking down at your phone can lead to tension in your neck and upper back. This may affect shoulder movement and cause discomfort.
That is why a good check-up should look beyond just the spot where you feel the pain.
A chiropractor in Melbourne may assess your shoulder movement, as well as your neck, upper back, posture, and overall movement patterns, to better understand what may be contributing.
When Should You Get Shoulder Pain Checked?
Not every instance of a sore shoulder means something serious.
You might spend a weekend gardening, move some furniture or try an exercise you have not done for months. Feeling a little sore afterwards can happen.
The situation is different when the pain does not settle or begins to affect your normal routine.
Consider getting your shoulder checked if:
- The pain keeps coming back.
- Your shoulder is becoming increasingly stiff.
- You cannot lift your arm comfortably.
- You are struggling with everyday movements.
- The pain is disturbing your sleep.
- You have noticed weakness in the arm or shoulder.
- The pain started after an injury.
- The symptoms are gradually getting worse.
You do not have to wait until the pain becomes unbearable before asking for help.
What Could Be Behind the Pain?
There is no single cause of shoulder pain.
Repetitive activities can sometimes irritate the muscles or tendons around the shoulder. This could occur with specific jobs, sports, gym workouts, or activities that require extensive reaching.
Previous injuries might also be significant. Even if your shoulder injury occurred years ago, you might have unintentionally developed movement habits that alter how you move. Common shoulder issues include rotator cuff problems, frozen shoulder, tendon irritation, bursitis, and arthritis. Since symptoms often overlap, diagnosing the cause based solely on pain location can be challenging.
An assessment can identify potential contributing factors and indicate if further investigation or specific treatment is necessary.
Why Is Shoulder Pain Worse at Night?
A common source of frustration with shoulder pain is when it disrupts your sleep. You might feel comfortable during the day, but lying on your shoulder at night can cause pain. You might also wake up when you turn over or find yourself constantly changing positions to get comfortable.
Night-time shoulder pain is common in various conditions like tendon issues and frozen shoulder. If it consistently disrupts your sleep, consider having it examined. Lack of sleep can intensify the frustration of dealing with this problem.
How Can a Chiropractor Help with Shoulder Pain?
Depending on the cause of your symptoms, chiropractic treatment could be a viable option for shoulder pain. A chiropractor typically begins by discussing your symptoms and examining the movement of your shoulder and nearby regions. This process helps identify potential contributing factors and assess if chiropractic care is suitable.
Your care might involve hands-on techniques, joint mobilisation, soft tissue work, exercises, or advice on movement and posture. The key is that treatment should be tailored to your unique situation. Someone with general stiffness may need a very different approach from someone recovering from an injury.
If your symptoms suggest that another type of healthcare assessment is more appropriate, you may also be referred for further investigation.
Don’t Ignore Small Changes
Sometimes shoulder problems develop so gradually that you barely notice them.
You stop reaching for things on the top shelf. You use your other arm to carry shopping bags. You avoid sleeping on one side. You ask someone else to help you put something away.
None of these changes may seem like a big deal on their own. But if you have started changing the way you live because your shoulder hurts, it is worth asking why.
Getting the problem assessed early may give you a better understanding of what is happening and what you can do about it.
When Is Shoulder Pain an Emergency?
Most instances of shoulder pain aren’t emergencies, but certain cases require urgent medical attention.
If your shoulder pain is accompanied by chest discomfort, shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, or other unusual symptoms, seek immediate medical care instead of assuming it’s just a shoulder issue. Furthermore, if you sustain a serious injury, particularly if you lose normal arm movement or feel intense pain, you need to see a healthcare professional.
If you are unsure about your symptoms, it is always better to get them assessed.
You Don’t Have to Accept Shoulder Pain as “Just Getting Older”
Getting older doesn’t mean you have to accept persistent shoulder pain. If your shoulder only feels stiff sometimes after a busy day, gentle movements and rest might suffice. However, if the pain frequently returns, limits your movement, or disrupts your sleep, it’s important to find out the underlying cause.
The right shoulder pain treatment depends on the cause and your individual circumstances. A proper assessment can help you understand your options rather than relying on guesswork. Don’t wait until your shoulder pain starts controlling what you can and cannot do.
If you are experiencing ongoing shoulder pain, stiffness or difficulty moving your arm, book an appointment at any of our clinics near you.