Other
Shoulder Pain
About Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain refers to discomfort in or around the shoulder joint. This pain can range from a dull ache to sharp, intense discomfort, and may limit arm movement.
Common Symptoms
- aching in the shoulder joint
- stiffness
- reduced range of motion
- weakness in the arm
- clicking or popping sensations
- pain that worsens with activity
- pain at night
Diagnosis
Diagnosis typically involves a physical examination where a healthcare provider assesses movement and identifies tender areas. Imaging tests like X-rays, MRI scans, or ultrasound may be used to visualize the structures within the shoulder and confirm a diagnosis.
Causes
Shoulder pain can be caused by various factors, including injury to the rotator cuff, inflammation of tendons (tendinitis), or arthritis. Other causes may include impingement syndrome, fractures, or instability of the joint.
Treatment Overview
Approaches to managing shoulder pain often include rest, physical therapy to improve strength and flexibility, and over-the-counter pain relief medication. In some cases, healthcare providers may discuss options such as corticosteroid injections or, less commonly, surgical intervention. Some individuals also explore complementary approaches like acupuncture or chiropractic care, often alongside conventional treatments.
Prognosis & Outlook
The prognosis for shoulder pain can vary widely depending on the underlying cause and the individual's response to treatment. Many individuals experience improvement with conservative management, though some conditions may lead to chronic discomfort or require more extensive interventions.
Types & Variants
Rotator Cuff Tear
A tear in the group of tendons and muscles that surround the shoulder joint, often caused by injury or degeneration over time.
Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
A condition characterized by stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint, where the connective tissue capsule thickens and tightens.
Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
Occurs when the rotator cuff tendons are pinched between the bones of the shoulder during arm movement, causing pain and inflammation.
Shoulder Arthritis
The wearing down of cartilage in the shoulder joint, leading to pain, stiffness, and a grinding sensation.
Bursitis
Inflammation of the bursa, a small fluid-filled sac that cushions the bones, tendons, and muscles near the joint.
What 1 Contributor Has Shared
The contributor described struggling with persistent musculoskeletal pain, including hip, back, pelvic, and shoulder pain, along with foot and wrist pain that became debilitating. They also reported a range of other symptoms such as neck pain, tinnitus, dry eye, ocular migraine, heat sensitivity, anxiety, depression, heart palpitations, intrusive thoughts, disassociation, skin rashes, numbness, and post-viral infection symptoms.
Initially, western medical diagnoses included arthritis, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, femoral narrowing, herniated discs, and anxiety. However, the contributor later self-diagnosed with Tension Myoneural Syndrome (TMS) / Neuroplastic symptoms, concluding that structural findings were incidental and not the cause of their symptoms.
“Approaches that were part of my recovery”
As described by story contributors
Discovered work of Dr. Sarno, Dr. Schubiner, Dr. Hanscom, Dr. Clarke, Dr. Stracks, Dr. Schechter, and read all of their books
Pain neuroscience education
Journaling via Nicole Sachs
Pain reprocessing therapy and somatic tracking via Alan Gordon
Addressing belief and doubt
Learning to feel safe with sensations, thoughts, and emotions
Graded exposure teaching the brain the pain is not dangerous
Visualization & graded motor imagery
Leaning into positive sensations
Regulating the nervous system & Polyvagal theory
Indifference & outcome independence
Self compassion
“Approaches I tried that didn't help me”
As described by story contributors
Supplements
Changing diet to anti inflammatory or keto
Japanese healer
Castor oil
Icing & heat
PT
Chiro
Osteopath
Massage
Acupuncture
Sports medicine doctor with rehabilitation classes
Correcting posture
Common Turning Points
Pivotal moments described by story contributors
Discovering what neuroplastic pain was
Self-diagnosing with Tension Myoneural Syndrome (TMS) / Neuroplastic symptoms with reassurance from TMS practitioners after ruling out legitimate pathological findings
Discovering the work of doctors like Dr. Sarno, Dr. Schubiner, Dr. Hanscom, Dr. Clarke, Dr. Stracks, and Dr. Schechter
Key Realizations & “Aha” Moments
Perspectives shared by story contributors
Structural findings were incidental and not the cause of my symptoms
Most chronic pain is neuroplastic in nature, meaning that, even though the pain is very real and physically felt, it doesn’t mean that it is being caused by the structures of your body
The brain and nervous system can cause debilitating symptoms without tissue damage or disease
Neuroplastic pain refers to pain that is created and maintained not by physical injury, but by changes and misfirings in the brain’s neural circuits
This type of pain is very real, but its origin lies in the nervous system and emotional regulation rather than tissue damage
The brain can 'learn' pain through repeated stress or emotional suppression, creating maladaptive neural pathways—essentially false alarms
These misfiring pain circuits, shaped by emotional states and life stress, cause the brain to perceive pain even when there is no physical cause
Mindbody symptoms—including chronic pain—often result from stress and nervous system dysregulation, suppressed or unprocessed emotions, learned neural pathways in the brain, and an overactive fear response
Challenges Contributors Described
Common obstacles mentioned by story contributors
Western medical diagnoses focused on structural causes that were later found to be incidental
Trying various biomechanical 'solutions' that did not help
Support Systems Contributors Mentioned
Types of support described by story contributors
TMS practitioners
Advice from Those Who've Been There
Suggestions shared by story contributors
- “Recognize that most chronic pain is neuroplastic in nature, where the pain is real but not necessarily caused by structural damage”
- “Understand that neuroplastic pain originates in the nervous system and emotional regulation, not tissue damage”
- “Be aware that the brain can 'learn' pain through repeated stress or emotional suppression, creating false alarms”
- “Consider that mindbody symptoms often result from stress, nervous system dysregulation, suppressed emotions, learned neural pathways, and an overactive fear response”
These insights reflect what individual contributors reported about their own experiences. Results vary — what helps one person may not help another. This is not medical advice.
Stories (1)
Real journeys shared by contributors
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