Why Does Your Shoulder Hurt When You Lift Your Arm After an Injury?
Reaching for a shelf or putting on a shirt should not cause a sharp ache. After a fall, hard pull, or sports injury, these simple moves can hurt. Shoulder pain when lifting your arm may come from sore muscles, injured tendons, or damage around the joint. The cause is not always clear from where you feel pain. A chiropractor in Metairie can examine your shoulder and help decide whether chiropractic care or another type of care fits your needs.
Your Shoulder Uses Several Parts to Lift Your Arm
Your shoulder relies on muscles, tendons, and ligaments working together. Tendons join muscles to bones, while ligaments help hold the joint in place. When you raise your arm, these tissues guide and support the movement. A fall or sudden pull can stretch or tear them. This can cause pain with movement, swelling, and trouble reaching. You may also tighten nearby muscles to protect the sore area. That guarding can add to shoulder stiffness, making everyday tasks feel harder after the injury.
A Rotator Cuff Injury Can Make Reaching Painful
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that helps lift and turn your arm. A rotator cuff injury can happen when you fall on an outstretched hand or jerk a heavy object upward. You may feel pain along the side of your shoulder or upper arm. Reaching overhead, lowering your arm, or lying on that side may hurt. A tear can also cause arm weakness. Sudden weakness after an accident needs prompt medical care, even if you can still move your arm.
Irritated Tendons and Bursae Can Hurt During Lifting
Not all shoulder pain means a tendon has torn. Shoulder tendinitis means a tendon is irritated or inflamed. Bursitis affects a small, fluid-filled sac that helps tissues glide smoothly. Both can make lifting painful. You may notice an ache at the front or side of your shoulder when reaching up or getting dressed. These symptoms can overlap with a tear, so an exam matters. If symptoms linger, an evaluation for shoulder pain relief in Metairie can help identify the next steps.
A Sprain or Unstable Joint May Also Be the Cause
A fall onto your shoulder can injure the ligaments near the collarbone. This may cause pain on top of the shoulder, especially when you raise your arm. Another problem is shoulder instability, where the upper arm bone slips partly or fully out of its socket. The joint may feel loose, catch, or seem likely to give way. These symptoms need an exam. A shoulder dislocation requires urgent medical care. Never try to push the joint back into place yourself or ask someone else to do it.
Know Which Symptoms Need Urgent Care
Seek urgent medical care if you cannot lift your arm after an injury, have sudden severe pain, or notice a change in your shoulder’s shape. Large swelling, lasting tingling, or numbness in your arm also needs prompt attention. A hand that becomes cold or pale needs emergency care. These signs can point to a broken bone, dislocation, or another serious problem. Do not book a routine adjustment before these injuries have been checked. Getting the right shoulder injury evaluation helps you avoid treatment that may be unsafe for your condition.
Reduce Strain While You Wait for an Exam
Stop heavy lifting and overhead tasks that bring on pain. Do not keep raising your arm to test whether it still hurts. A cold pack wrapped in a towel may help ease discomfort; use it for up to 20 minutes at a time. For a minor injury, gentle movement within a comfortable range may help limit stiffness. Follow medical advice if a fracture or dislocation is suspected. Avoid forceful stretches or strength exercises until you know what is wrong. Your recovery plan should fit the injury rather than a general online workout.
How a Chiropractor Can Check Your Shoulder
An injury chiropractor in Metairie may ask how you were hurt, where you feel pain, and which tasks have become hard. The exam can include checks of movement, strength, and tender areas. Your neck may also be checked because pain can travel into the shoulder. Some findings call for imaging or referral to another provider. When chiropractic care is suitable, your treatment plan may include gentle hands-on care and rehab exercises. Care should match the cause, with changes based on your progress.
Take the Next Step Toward Easier Movement
Pain after an injury deserves attention, especially when it affects sleep, work, or simple daily tasks. Legacy Chiropractic can evaluate ongoing shoulder symptoms and discuss care that fits your needs. Tell us how the injury happened and whether you have had medical tests or treatment. Contact our chiropractor in Metairie today to schedule an appointment and learn what may help you move with greater comfort.