Why Does My Shoulder Hurt When Reaching Overhead? 5 Common Causes

January 31, 2026

Shoulder pain when reaching overhead is one of the most common complaints among Australians seeking allied health care. Whether you’re an office worker, tradie, or weekend warrior, understanding the cause of your shoulder pain is the first step toward recovery. At AlliedHealth.com.au, we connect you with experienced physiotherapists and allied health practitioners across Australia who can diagnose and treat your shoulder condition effectively.

Understanding Your Shoulder Pain

Your shoulder is the most mobile joint in your body, allowing you to perform countless daily activities from washing your hair to lifting objects overhead. However, this remarkable range of motion comes at a cost—the shoulder is also one of the most vulnerable joints to injury.

When pain occurs during overhead movement, it’s your body signaling that something needs attention. Ignoring these warning signs can lead to chronic problems that impact your work, sports performance, and quality of life. The good news? Most shoulder conditions respond well to treatment when caught early.

5 Common Causes of Overhead Shoulder Pain

1. Rotator Cuff Tendinitis or Tear

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that stabilise your shoulder joint. Rotator cuff problems are the leading cause of overhead shoulder pain in Australia, affecting everyone from painters and electricians to swimmers and tennis players.

What happens: Repetitive overhead movements cause the rotator cuff tendons to rub against bone, leading to inflammation (tendinitis). Over time, this can weaken the tendon and potentially cause tears. Acute tears can also occur from sudden trauma like falls or heavy lifting.

Symptoms to watch for:

Pain on the outside of your shoulder radiating down your arm
Weakness when lifting or rotating your arm
Difficulty reaching behind your back
Night pain, especially when lying on the affected shoulder
Dull ache even at rest

Treatment: Physiotherapy is highly effective for rotator cuff conditions. Your physiotherapist will develop a tailored exercise program to strengthen the rotator cuff muscles, improve shoulder mechanics, and reduce pain. Treatment may include manual therapy, specific exercises, and activity modification. Severe tears may require orthopaedic consultation.

2. Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

Shoulder impingement accounts for nearly half of all shoulder pain cases. It occurs when the tendons of your rotator cuff get “pinched” between the bones of your shoulder during overhead movement.

What happens: As you raise your arm, the space between your upper arm bone and shoulder blade naturally narrows. When inflammation, poor posture, or muscle imbalances are present, the rotator cuff tendons and bursa sac get compressed, causing pain.

Risk factors:

Poor posture from desk work (common in Australian office workers)
Muscle imbalances—weak rotator cuff with tight chest muscles
Repetitive overhead activities (tradies, painters, warehouse workers)
Previous shoulder injuries
Age-related changes

Treatment: Physiotherapy focusing on posture correction and shoulder blade strengthening is essential. Your allied health practitioner may also recommend ergonomic workplace adjustments, anti-inflammatory treatments, and gradual return to overhead activities.

3. Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)

Frozen shoulder is exactly what it sounds like—your shoulder becomes progressively stiffer and more painful, severely limiting movement. This condition affects approximately 2-5% of Australians, particularly those aged 40-60.

What happens: The capsule surrounding your shoulder joint becomes thick and tight, with adhesions forming that restrict movement. The condition progresses through three stages:

Freezing (2-9 months): Increasing pain and stiffness
Frozen (4-12 months): Severe stiffness, slightly improved pain
Thawing (12-42 months): Gradual improvement in movement

Who’s at risk:

People with diabetes (10-20% develop frozen shoulder)
Those with thyroid disorders
Anyone who’s had prolonged shoulder immobilisation
More common in women than men

Treatment: Early physiotherapy intervention can significantly improve outcomes and potentially reduce recovery time. Treatment includes gentle mobilisation, stretching exercises, and pain management strategies. Some cases may benefit from corticosteroid injections or specialised procedures.

4. Shoulder Bursitis

The bursa is a small fluid-filled sac that cushions the space between your rotator cuff tendons and shoulder blade. When inflamed, this tiny structure can cause significant pain.

What happens: Repetitive overhead movements, direct trauma, or prolonged pressure causes the bursa to become irritated and swollen. This produces a broader, more diffuse pain across the outside of your shoulder.

Common causes:

Repetitive overhead work (common in Australian tradies)
Falls or direct blows to the shoulder
Carrying heavy bags on one shoulder
Age-related wear and tear
Underlying arthritis conditions

Treatment: Bursitis often responds quickly to physiotherapy, rest, and anti-inflammatory treatments. Your physiotherapist will identify and address contributing factors like poor posture or muscle imbalances. Severe cases may require corticosteroid injections.

5. Labral Tear

The labrum is a ring of cartilage that deepens your shoulder socket, providing stability. Labral tears can cause persistent pain that’s often difficult to pinpoint.

What happens: The labrum can tear from sports injuries (particularly throwing or overhead sports), falls on an outstretched arm, repetitive overhead activities, or shoulder instability. These tears may occur alongside rotator cuff problems.

Symptoms:

Deep shoulder joint pain
Clicking, popping, or catching during movement
Feeling of shoulder instability
Pain with specific movements, especially overhead reaching
Weakness and difficulty sleeping on the affected side

Treatment: Minor labral tears may heal with physiotherapy focusing on strengthening and stability. Significant tears in active individuals often require arthroscopic surgery followed by comprehensive rehabilitation.

When to See Physiotherapists

At AlliedHealth.com.au, we recommend seeking professional evaluation from a physiotherapist if you experience:

Shoulder pain lasting more than 2-3 weeks despite rest
Progressive weakness or loss of movement
Pain that disrupts your sleep regularly
Difficulty performing daily tasks due to shoulder pain
Pain following a specific injury or fall
Sudden inability to move your shoulder

Red flags requiring immediate medical attention:

Severe pain following trauma
Complete inability to move your shoulder
Visible deformity of the joint
Signs of infection (fever, warmth, redness, swelling)
Chest pain or shortness of breath with shoulder pain

How Australian Physiotherapists Diagnose Shoulder Pain

When you visit a physiotherapist through AlliedHealth.com.au, expect a comprehensive assessment including:

Physical examination: Your physio will assess your range of motion, strength, posture, and shoulder mechanics. Specialised tests help identify specific conditions like impingement, rotator cuff tears, or labral damage.

Movement assessment: Watching how you perform overhead movements reveals biomechanical issues contributing to your pain.

Imaging: If needed, your physiotherapist may refer you for X-rays (to check bones and spurs), ultrasound (for rotator cuff assessment), or MRI (the gold standard for soft tissue visualisation).

Treatment Approaches in Australia

Australian allied health practitioners use evidence-based treatments tailored to your specific condition:

Physiotherapy: The cornerstone of shoulder treatment. Your physiotherapist will develop a personalized program including:

Manual therapy to improve joint mobility
Specific strengthening exercises for rotator cuff and shoulder stabilisers
Posture correction and ergonomic advice
Pain management strategies
Gradual return to activity planning

Other allied health services: Depending on your needs, you may benefit from:

Exercise physiology for comprehensive rehabilitation programs
Occupational therapy for workplace modifications
Remedial massage for muscle tension relief

Medical interventions: When conservative treatment isn’t enough:

Anti-inflammatory medications
Corticosteroid injections
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy
Surgical repair (for significant tears or structural problems)

Finding the Right Allied Health Practitioner

AlliedHealth.com.au makes it easy to find, compare, and review allied health practitioners across Australia. When searching for a physiotherapist for your shoulder pain:

Look for practitioners with:

Experience treating shoulder conditions
Positive patient reviews
Convenient location and appointment times
Appropriate qualifications and registration
Bulk-billing or health fund claiming options

Consider: Physiotherapists who specialize in sports injuries, musculoskeletal conditions, or manual therapy often have extensive experience with shoulder problems.

Prevention: Keeping Your Shoulders Healthy

Australian allied health practitioners recommend these strategies:

Maintain good posture: Whether you’re working at a desk or on a construction site, proper posture reduces shoulder strain. Keep your shoulders back and down, chest open, and avoid prolonged forward head position.

Strengthen your rotator cuff: Regular strengthening exercises (2-3 times weekly) are your best defence against injury. Your physiotherapist can teach you proper technique.

Warm up properly: Before sports or overhead work, spend 5-10 minutes warming up with arm circles, shoulder rolls, and gentle stretching.

Modify activities: Use step stools instead of overreaching, adjust your workstation ergonomics, and take regular breaks from repetitive tasks.

Listen to your body: Don’t ignore early warning signs. Mild shoulder discomfort that persists beyond a few days deserves professional attention.

Take Action Today

Shoulder pain when reaching overhead doesn’t have to limit your life. Whether you’re a tradie needing to work pain-free, an athlete wanting to return to sport, or simply someone who wants to reach the top shelf without wincing, help is available.

At AlliedHealth.com.au, we connect you with experienced physiotherapists and allied health practitioners across Australia who specialize in shoulder conditions. Our platform allows you to:

Find qualified practitioners in your area
Compare services and expertise
Read genuine patient reviews
Book appointments conveniently online

Don’t let shoulder pain hold you back. Early intervention leads to faster recovery and better outcomes. Search for a physiotherapist near you today and take the first step toward pain-free shoulders.

Ready to find relief? Visit AlliedHealth.com.au to connect with trusted allied health practitioners who can diagnose, treat, and help prevent your shoulder pain. Your journey to recovery starts here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my shoulder hurt when I reach overhead?

Shoulder pain during overhead movement usually occurs when tendons, muscles, or the bursa are irritated or compressed. Common causes include rotator cuff injuries, shoulder impingement, bursitis, frozen shoulder, or labral tears.

Is shoulder pain when lifting my arm serious?

It can be. Mild pain may improve with rest, but pain lasting more than 2–3 weeks, worsening weakness, or restricted movement may indicate an underlying injury that requires physiotherapy or medical assessment.

Can physiotherapy help shoulder pain when reaching overhead?

Yes. Physiotherapy is the most effective treatment for most overhead shoulder pain. A physiotherapist can reduce pain, restore movement, strengthen the shoulder, and help prevent future injury through a personalized treatment plan.

Should I stop exercising if my shoulder hurts overhead?

You should avoid painful overhead movements until assessed by a professional. Continuing to exercise through pain may worsen the condition. A physiotherapist can guide you on safe exercises during recovery.

How long does it take to recover from overhead shoulder pain?

Recovery depends on the cause. Conditions like impingement or tendinitis often improve within 4–8 weeks with physiotherapy, while frozen shoulder or labral injuries may take several months. Early treatment leads to faster recovery.