Understanding Shoulder Pain — Symptoms & What to Look Out For

What does shoulder pain feel like?
Shoulder pain can present as:

• A dull ache or soreness
• Sharp or stabbing sensations with certain movements
• Burning or tingling in some cases
• Deep joint pain or surface tenderness

What are the symptoms of shoulder pain?
Common symptoms include:

• Stiffness or limited range of motion
• Pain when lifting, reaching, or rotating the arm
• Swelling or tenderness
• Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds
• Weakness in the shoulder or arm

What signs and symptoms occur with shoulder pain?
You may experience:

• Pain worsening at night or after activity
• Shoulder feeling unstable or “giving way”
• Numbness or tingling in the arm
• Pain radiating to the neck, upper back, or down the arm
• Inability to lift objects or raise the arm above the head

Where is the pain and what does it feel like?
Pain can be localized or spread across areas, such as:

• Front of the shoulder (rotator cuff issues)
• Top of the shoulder (AC joint problems)
• Outer upper arm (referred pain)
• Deep inside the joint (labral or cartilage damage)
  The sensation may range from dull aches to sharp shooting pain, depending on the underlying cause.

How would you rate your pain on a scale of 0–10?
Doctors often use this pain scale to understand your experience:

• 0: No pain
• 1–3: Mild, annoying pain
• 4–6: Moderate pain that limits activities
• 7–9: Severe pain interfering with daily life
• 10: Worst pain imaginable, possibly requiring immediate attention

Keeping track of your pain rating can help monitor progress and guide treatment decisions.