[34F] Experiencing shoulder pain and upper back soreness

What might be happening

Based on the information provided, possible diagnoses include:

• Rotator Cuff Injury or Tendinitis: The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint, keeping the head of your upper arm bone firmly within the shallow socket of the shoulder. A rotator cuff injury can cause a dull ache in the shoulder, which often worsens with the use of the arm away from the body. Rotator cuff injuries occur most often in people who repeatedly perform overhead motions in their jobs or sports.

  • Treatment typically involves rest, physical therapy, and possibly steroid injections or surgery if the injury is severe.

• Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis): This condition restricts motion in the shoulder. Symptoms typically start gradually, get worse over time, and then finally start to resolve. This process may take a year or more.

  • Treatment involves range-of-motion exercises and, sometimes, corticosteroids and numbing medications injected into the joint capsule. In a small percentage of cases, arthroscopic surgery may be indicated to loosen the joint capsule so it can move more freely.

• Fibromyalgia Flare: Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory, and mood issues. A flare can cause increased muscle pain throughout the body, including the shoulder.

  • Treatment involves a combination of medications, exercise, stress management, and healthy lifestyle habits.

• Psoriatic Arthritis: This is a form of arthritis that affects some people who have psoriasis. Most people develop psoriasis first and are later diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, but the joint problems can sometimes begin before skin patches appear. Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling are the main symptoms of psoriatic arthritis.

  • Treatment typically involves medications to reduce inflammation and slow the progression of the disease.

What you can do

It would be best to consult a doctor about your symptoms so that they can provide a formal assessment and order relevant tests if necessary. In the meantime, you can try the following to relieve your symptoms:

1. Rest your shoulder and avoid activities that worsen your shoulder pain.
2. Apply ice to your shoulder for 15 minutes at a time, several times a day.
3. Continue taking over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen, as needed and as directed on the bottle.
4. Perform gentle range-of-motion exercises to keep your shoulder flexible.

What you should look out for

Reasons to see a doctor more urgently:

• If your pain is severe or if it's accompanied by fever, redness, or warmth around the joint
• If you notice a deformity or protrusion in the area of the pain
• If you have difficulty moving your arm or shoulder
• If your symptoms do not improve after a week of home treatment

Please remember that while I strive to provide accurate information, I'm an AI and not a doctor. It's important to consult with a healthcare professional for a formal diagnosis and treatment.