Shoulder pain

You usually need to do these things for 2 weeks before shoulder pain starts to ease.

It can take 6 months or longer to recover from shoulder pain.

• stay active and gently move your shoulder

• try shoulder exercises for 6 to 8 weeks to stop pain returning

• stand up straight with your shoulders down and gently back

• sit with a cushion behind your lower back

• rest your arm on a cushion in your lap

• use pain relief so you can keep moving – try painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen, and heat or cold packs

Try either a:

• pack of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel for up to 20 minutes, 3 times a day
• hot water bottle wrapped in a tea towel for up to 20 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day

• do not completely stop using your shoulder – this can stop it getting better

• do not do things that seem to make it worse

• do not make up your own strenuous exercises or use heavy gym equipment

• do not slouch when sitting – do not roll your shoulders or bring your neck forward

A pharmacist may suggest:

• the best painkiller – this might be tablets, or a cream or gel you rub on your skin
• other ideas for pain relief and things you can buy to help, like heat and cold packs
• seeing a GP if you need to

• shoulder pain is getting worse or does not improve after 2 weeks
• it's very difficult to move your arm or shoulder

Refer yourself for back or joint help

In many areas you may be able to get help, such as physiotherapy, from NHS community musculoskeletal (MSK) services without needing a referral from a GP.

Get NHS help for back or joint problems

A health professional will examine you to work out what's causing your shoulder pain.

They might send you for tests (such as an X-ray) to check the cause.

What treatment you need depends on the cause, for example:

• stronger medicine or injections to ease pain and swelling
• physiotherapy or exercises to do at home
• things to avoid to stop the pain getting worse or returning
• seeing a specialist for tests or treatment

Physiotherapy for shoulder pain

The number of physiotherapy sessions you may have depends on the cause of your shoulder pain.

If you're still in pain after your sessions end, go back to your GP or refer yourself back to a community musculoskeletal (MSK) service. They might prescribe more physiotherapy or suggest another treatment.

Physiotherapy is available through the NHS, but waiting times can be long. You can also pay to get physiotherapy privately.

Shoulder pain that does not improve after 2 weeks might be caused by something that needs treatment.

But do not self-diagnose. See a GP if you're worried.

If you have shoulder pain, it can help to do gentle shoulder exercises and take painkillers if needed. Do not completely stop using your shoulder.

Treatments for shoulder pain include physiotherapy and medicines or injections to reduce pain and swelling.

Common causes of shoulder pain include frozen shoulder, arthritis, an injury and swollen tendons in your shoulder (tendonitis).