Medically reviewed by Misty Seidenburg
Severe shoulder pain can disrupt your daily life, affecting your ability to reach and carry objects, work, sleep, and perform simple tasks without pain. Shoulder tendinitis, a common cause of pain, can affect anyone. In this article, BenchMark physical therapists explain the causes and symptoms of this condition and offer guidance on how to ease pain and improve mobility with shoulder tendinitis exercises and physical therapy.
Tendinitis can occur throughout the body but most frequently affects the elbows, wrists, and shoulders. Shoulder tendinitis is a condition in which the tendons connecting muscle to bone become irritated and inflamed. These tendons work with the rotator cuff muscles to support, stabilize, and move the shoulder joint.
Tendinitis occurs when tendons are loaded beyond their capacity. This is usually due to a sudden increase in activity or can occur due to repetitive overuse. Tendinitis can result in inflammation and lead to changes in the tendon makeup. In the shoulder, the rotator cuff tendons are most commonly affected. However, this can also occur in the biceps tendon, which runs along the front of the shoulder.
The terms tendinitis, tendinosis, and tendinopathy are often used interchangeably to refer to shoulder injuries and are words that have been used over time to describe what happens to a tendon during an injury.
Tendinopathy is a general umbrella term for conditions or injuries affecting the tendons. As explained above, tendinitis involves tendon inflammation. Tendinosis refers to degenerative changes to the collagen protein that makes up tendons.
The most modern term is tendinopathy, as the changes that occur to the tendons during an injury are complex and don’t always include inflammation, even when the tendon is painful. For the purpose of this article, we will use the term ‘tendinitis’, as this is still the most common term.
Seeking prompt, professional evaluation is crucial if you’re experiencing shoulder pain, weakness, or difficulty moving your shoulder and arm. A physical therapist can assess your condition, determine which structures are affected, and create a personalized treatment plan to alleviate pain and improve function to help prevent the condition from worsening.
Shoulder tendinitis is primarily a repetitive use injury caused by tendon overuse due to prolonged reaching of the arm over the head. It is often diagnosed in individuals who play sports that require this overhead motion, such as baseball, golf, swimming, and racquet sports.
Similarly, individuals with jobs or hobbies that require heavy lifting and overhead work, including painters, roofers, and assembly workers, are also at risk. A fall or a direct blow to the shoulder can also trigger this condition. Our tendons become less flexible as we age, so the risk of shoulder pain and tendinopathy increases.
Shoulder pain is the most common sign of shoulder tendinitis, and for many people with the condition, discomfort intensifies when raising and moving the arm.
Other signs of shoulder tendinitis include:
If you have a mild tendon injury, you can often treat it at home with rest, compression, and heat for the first few days and gradually introduce gentle movement once the swelling has subsided. If your symptoms become more intense or do not improve within a week or two, contact your healthcare provider or physical therapist for care.
You should always take lingering shoulder pain seriously. Tendinitis can cause increasing damage to the tissue over time, potentially leading to a partial or complete tendon rupture that requires surgery to restore joint function.
These gentle but effective shoulder pain relief exercises will help lower your risk of overuse injuries and improve your symptoms if you are diagnosed with shoulder pain due to tendinopathy.
Note: Before starting any exercise program, consult your healthcare provider and physical therapist. This ensures the exercises and activities are tailored to your needs and health status. The information provided in this program is designed to complement your rehabilitation, not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Movement therapy through exercise and stretching is integral to a physical therapy program for shoulder pain. However, it is not the only way to treat tendinopathy shoulder pain.
Physical therapy offers a holistic approach to addressing shoulder injuries. It addresses physical symptoms and the underlying joint dysfunction, muscle imbalances, and other musculoskeletal issues that cause them.
A physical therapy plan for tendinitis combines stretching and exercise with hands-on therapies to ease discomfort and promote tissue healing. Your physical therapist is also a great source of education and guidance, providing tips and modifications to improve your condition and reduce your re-injury risk.
Physical therapy isn’t just for injuries. It’s a powerful tool for prevention, helping you maintain good form and mechanics as you navigate daily tasks. Whether that includes playing a competitive sport or just taking your daily walk around the neighborhood, embracing physical therapy is a proactive step to prevent injuries and maintain an active lifestyle.
Physical therapy is also effective for individuals rehabilitating from shoulder injuries or recovering from shoulder surgery. It is proven to help prevent injuries, relieve pain and stiffness, and improve function and movement at any age and stage of life.
Shoulder tendinitis recovery time varies from person to person. Acute tendinitis caused by overuse generally improves within three months with proper treatment. If you play sports or participate in other high-intensity activities, your physical therapist may recommend waiting longer to return to them. Excess strain on the injured tendons can prevent a full recovery.
Tendinopathy treatment is tailored to your unique needs and goals. An evaluation with your local BenchMark physical therapist is a great way to get insight into your condition and recovery timeline.
Struggling with shoulder pain? It’s time to take action and get back to living without discomfort. Physical therapy can target the root cause of your pain, improve your range of motion, and restore your strength. Don’t wait any longer—find a clinic near you and schedule your appointment today to start your journey towards becoming pain-free!
