Why Does My Shoulder Hurt Whenever I Raise My Arm?

Our bodies have many joints that facilitate daily activities. If you feel pain in your shoulder when lifting your arm, it is likely due to muscle strain. Daily hot compresses or topical ointments can be used to relieve the pain. If the pain is severe, it is recommended to visit a hospital for examination. For individuals who engage in manual labor for extended periods, their shoulders are constantly under load, making them more susceptible to arthritis and other orthopedic diseases.

1. Joint diseases such as rheumatic arthritis, periarthritis of the shoulder, scapular muscle strain, bursitis, and tendinitis can all cause pain in the shoulder.

2. Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a heart disease caused by the narrowing or spasm of the coronary arteries. Since the pain in the shoulder, sternum, and left little finger is transmitted to the brain through the sympathetic ganglia and corresponding spinal nerves before the 1st to 5th thoracic vertebrae, the brain sometimes cannot distinguish whether the pain originates from the heart, sternum, or shoulder. Therefore, patients with CHD often experience shoulder pain, which sometimes overshadows pain in other areas. In addition to shoulder pain, CHD patients often experience discomfort in the retrosternal or precordial region.

3. Superior sulcus tumor can cause shoulder pain when the tumor tissue compresses or invades the nerve plexus in the apex of the lung. This pain is usually centered under the axilla and radiates inward to the upper arm, often becoming worse at night. Severe compression of the shoulder can also affect the movement of the shoulder and upper arm.

4. Cervical spondylosis often causes numbness and radiating pain in the upper limbs and hands. The most common areas of pain, besides the neck, are the supraclavicular region, the superior aspect of the acromion, and the anterior superior aspect of the scapular spine.

5. Shoulder periarthritis causes persistent dull pain, often manifesting as soreness and distension. The pain is typically located in the deltoid region, which includes the inferior lateral aspect of the clavicle, the inferior lateral aspect of the acromion, and the inferior lateral aspect of the scapular spine.

1. Shoulder and back pain is common, often caused by local bone or soft tissue diseases in the shoulder and back. Other possible causes include pain in the scapula due to visceral diseases reflected in the shoulder and back or due to metastasis of tumors to the shoulder and back.

2. Continuous severe shoulder pain is often caused by shoulder joint dislocation and is associated with a clear history of trauma.

3. Referred shoulder pain refers to shoulder pain or hypersensitivity caused by visceral diseases. The symptoms appear gradually, manifesting as dull pain or discomfort that does not fully conform to the nerve pathway, with vague localization and sensory blurring.

The treatment principles involve identifying the underlying cause and providing targeted treatment. It is important to maintain good daily health habits, avoid poor posture, detect and treat neck and shoulder soft tissue injuries early to prevent them from progressing to cervical spondylosis. Additionally, keeping the neck and shoulders warm, avoiding excessive head and neck loads, avoiding excessive fatigue, and avoiding direct exposure to air conditioning vents can help prevent the occurrence of neck and shoulder pain and cervical spondylosis.