Shoulder pain

How to ease shoulder pain yourself

You usually need to do these things for 2 weeks before shoulder pain starts to ease.

It can take 4 to 6 weeks to recover fully from mild shoulder pain.

A pharmacist can help with shoulder pain

A pharmacist can suggest:

• the best painkiller – this might be tablets, or a cream or gel you rub on the skin
• other ideas for pain relief and things you can buy to help, like heat and cold packs
• seeing a GP if you need to

See a GP if:

• the pain does not improve after 2 weeks
• it's very difficult to move your arm or shoulder
• the pain started after an injury or accident, like a fall

Treatment from a GP

A GP will examine you to work out what's causing your shoulder pain.

They might send you for tests (such as an X-ray) to check the cause.

They'll suggest a treatment based on the cause, for example:

• stronger medication or injections to ease pain and swelling
• physiotherapy or exercises to do at home
• things to avoid to stop the pain getting worse or returning
• seeing a specialist for tests or treatment

Causes of shoulder pain

Shoulder pain that does not improve after 2 weeks might be caused by something that needs treatment.

Do not self-diagnose – see a GP if you're worried.