Which shoulder muscle is hurting?
A common cause of shoulder pain is soreness of the tendon (a cord that attaches a muscle to a bone) in the rotator cuff. This is the part of the shoulder that helps circular motion. Another common cause is soreness of the subacromial bursa (a sac of fluid under the highest part of the shoulder).
Why does the top of my shoulder hurt when I lift my arm?
Shoulder impingement is a very common cause of shoulder pain, where a tendon (band of tissue) inside your shoulder rubs or catches on nearby tissue and bone as you lift your arm. It affects the rotator cuff tendon, which is the rubbery tissue that connects the muscles around your shoulder joint to the top of your arm.
How do you tell if you pulled a muscle in your shoulder?
Symptoms can include:
- Pain at the front of the joint.
- Tenderness when pressing on the area of the injury.
- Swelling that develops rapidly.
- Inability to move the shoulder.
- Instability in the shoulder joint (severe shoulder sprains or strains)
What muscle is on the outside of your shoulder?
Deltoid
Deltoid: The deltoid muscle is on the outside of your shoulder. It helps you move your arm forward, backward and to the side.
What are the rotator cuff muscles?
Parts of the Rotator Cuff
- Supraspinatus controls internal rotation and lifting of the arm.
- Infraspinatus allows you to externally rotate your arm in the shoulder socket.
- Teres minor is a small muscle that helps rotate your arm.
- Subscapularis controls arm abduction (holding your arm out straight, away from your body).
How do I get my shoulder to stop hurting?
Home Care
- Put ice on the shoulder area for 15 minutes, then leave it off for 15 minutes. Do this 3 to 4 times a day for 2 to 3 days.
- Rest your shoulder for the next few days.
- Slowly return to your regular activities.
- Taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) may help reduce inflammation and pain.