Shoulder Pain Explained: Common Causes, Quick Relief, and Treatment Options
- Sara Becker, PT, DPT
- Apr 22
- 5 min read
Shoulder pain can sneak up on you or hit like a lightning bolt—whether it’s from a long night of tossing and turning, reaching awkwardly in the backseat, or simply sitting at a desk all day. Whether you’re feeling shoulder pain at night, shoulder pain going down the arm, or that nagging ache under the armpit that just won’t quit, know this: you're not alone, and there is relief.
Disclaimer: The content on this site and my posts are for educational and informational purposes only and not meant as medical advice. It is not intended as medical advice or to replace a relationship with a qualified healthcare professional. There is absolutely no assurance that any statement contained or cited in an article touching on medical matters is true, correct, precise, or up-to-date. Please consult a clinician that is familiar with your care, if you have specific questions for your own care.
Why is Shoulder Pain So Common?
Your shoulder is a complex joint that allows for an incredible range of motion—but that also makes it vulnerable to strain, inflammation, and injury. From rotator cuff issues to nerve compression, here are a few of the most common causes of shoulder pain:
Poor Sleeping Positions: Waking up with shoulder pain from sleeping? That’s often due to prolonged pressure on nerves or restricted blood flow.
Overuse or Repetitive Motion: Think lifting, typing, or overhead activities. This can trigger pain at the top of the shoulder or even shoulder pain on both sides.
Radiating Pain: If you’re feeling shoulder pain radiating down your arm or into your neck or chest, it could stem from cervical spine issues or nerve entrapment.
Inflammation or Injury: Rotator cuff injuries, bursitis, or impingement syndrome may cause shoulder pain under the armpit or in the front of the shoulder.
Shoulder Pain at Night: What's Going On?
Shoulder pain at night is a common complaint. When we lie down, inflammation can increase due to reduced circulation. Also, compressed sleeping positions can worsen pain and restrict nerve pathways, especially if you're already dealing with an undiagnosed injury or postural dysfunction
Quick Shoulder Relief Strategies
When you’re in pain, you want solutions now. Here are a few shoulder pain quick relief tips:
Heat Therapy: Applying heat before stretching can help relax tight muscles.
Applying heat to sore areas is one of the simplest and most effective ways to ease muscle tension and stiffness. Heat increases blood flow, relaxes muscles, and reduces pain signals. Apply a moist heating pad for 15–20 minutes. Avoid excessive heat to prevent burns. NOTE that moist heating pads are the most effective. My favorite brands are Thermophore and Thermipaq
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Cold Therapy: Ice packs can reduce inflammation and numb pain after activity.
Thermipaq can be kept in your freezer for ease of using
Magnesium Lotion is one of the quickest topical relief options that you can use. My favorite is Trace Minerals products, specifically the Magnesium Lotion (the spray is also effective). You can get 20% off with my Fullscript link, you just need to sign-up for an account but can continue to use this indefinitely
Dry Needling & Cupping: These techniques help release tight muscles and improve blood flow to the shoulder.
Manual Therapy: Hands-on techniques, such as joint mobilizations, myofascial release and massage, can improve movement and reduce stiffness.
When to Seek Professional Shoulder Pain Treatment
If you're experiencing chronic discomfort, shoulder pain both sides, or pain that doesn’t resolve with rest, it’s time to get to the root cause.
A thorough evaluation can help determine if your shoulder pain is muscular, neural, or postural in nature. Especially if you notice:
Shoulder pain going down your arm or into your hand
Pain persisting for more than a few weeks
Limited range of motion
Weakness or tingling
At Releaseology, I don’t just chase the pain—I uncover why it’s there in the first place.
The Releaseology Difference: in Shoulder Pain Treatment
What makes Releaseology different is my commitment to hands-on, root-cause focused treatment. Whether it’s shoulder pain under the armpit, shoulder pain from sleeping, or pain radiating down your arm—I look deeper. My signature blend of techniques like myofascial release, neurokinetic therapy, cupping, dry needling, and vagus nerve regulation targets the nervous system, muscle memory, and movement patterns that traditional treatments often miss. Most of my clients' feedback is that no one else has even looked at their scar tissue, eyes, jaw, diaphragm, etc.
Most clients walk away from just one session feeling significantly lighter—like their shoulder is finally back online. And I don’t stop at symptom relief. I teach you how to move, sleep, and breathe in ways that support healing long-term.
Ready to Finally Feel Better?
Don’t wait for the pain to get worse. Whether you're searching for shoulder pain relief or exploring long-term shoulder pain treatment options, Releaseology offers personalized, comprehensive and evidence-informed care to get you moving again.
These are my services that include an assessment and evaluation of your shoulder pain. If you have specific questions for your care, you can always e-mail me at sara@releaseology.com or text 480.712.0699 or book a virtual consult
Medical Disclaimer
The content on this site and my posts are for educational and informational purposes only and not meant as medical advice. It is not intended as medical advice or to replace a relationship with a qualified healthcare professional. There is absolutely no assurance that any statement contained or cited in an article touching on medical matters is true, correct, precise, or up-to-date. Please consult a clinician that is familiar with your care, if you have specific questions for your own care.
Essential Oils for Pain Relief
More from Releaseology
Don't forget to check out other resources on my site! You can book a session with me here, find a list of conditions I treat here, find more about me here, learn how to regulate your own vagus nerve and nervous system here and read more on my blog here. Lastly, follow me on my social channels: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok!
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