Shoulder pain when reaching overhead is common, but it does not identify one specific diagnosis. Tendon sensitivity, joint stiffness, recent overload and referred symptoms from the neck can all produce similar complaints.
Key points
- Note the painful range and whether the arm feels weak or simply painful.
- Consider recent changes in gym, work or overhead activity.
- Compare active movement with assisted or passive movement.
- Neck movement and arm symptoms may need to be assessed together.
What a physiotherapy assessment can add
A physiotherapist can examine shoulder range, strength, symptom response and relevant neck findings before selecting exercise or other treatment.
Practical next steps
Temporarily modify highly provocative reaching or loading, then progressively restore shoulder capacity with exercises matched to the examination findings.
When to seek medical care
After trauma, inability to raise the arm, obvious deformity, marked swelling, fever or rapidly progressive weakness warrants appropriate medical assessment.
