Left vs Right Shoulder Pain: What Each Side Says About Your Health

Did you know that your shoulder pain can vary significantly depending on which side is affected? Understanding left vs right shoulder pain can give you valuable insight into what’s happening inside your body. In many cases, the source of discomfort in your right shoulder isn’t the same as the issues that typically affect the left side. While this difference may not always change your treatment plan, recognizing the patterns behind each type of pain helps you interpret your symptoms more confidently and make better decisions about your health.

In this article, we break down the key distinctions between left shoulder pain and right shoulder pain so you can understand what may be causing your discomfort. Visit the best Pain Management Clinic in Brooklyn at Doral Health & Wellness or log on to www.doralhw.org.

Left Shoulder Pain Causes

Many causes affect your left shoulder and lead to pain and mobility issues. Here are the most common ones:

1. Muscle strain: This is one of the most common causes of left shoulder pain. It occurs when several muscles, like the upper trapezius or the sternocleidomastoid, get damaged due to injury and repetitive movements over time. Maintaining a static posture, like sitting at a computer for a long time, can put stress on the shoulder structure and cause low-level strain. Pain from a muscle strain can get worse as you move your shoulder and get better with rest. Sometimes, it can be accompanied by headaches, neck stiffness, or numbness and tingling in the arm.

• Cervical stenosis: This occurs when the spinal canal narrows and puts pressure on the spinal nerves like a disc bulge. It irritates the nerve and causes a shooting pain in the neck, shoulder, arm, and hand. It may lead to numbness, tingling, or weakness in the affected areas. While anyone can get this condition, it is more common in older individuals.

• Bursitis: This occurs when the bursae (tiny, fluid-filled sacs of the shoulder) get inflamed. The bursa works as a cushion for the tendons, bones, and muscles near the joints. Due to repetitive motion of the shoulder, elbow, and hip, the bursae get enlarged, and it leads to bursitis. It also occurs if the bursae get direct trauma or infection, which leads to pain and swelling.

• Arthritis in shoulder joints: Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are common age-related conditions that can lead to shoulder pain. Osteoarthritis occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of bones gets damaged and causes stiffness, pain, loss of flexibility, etc. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the immune system attacks the body’s tissues, including the lining of joints, leading to chronic inflammation and pain.

• Dislocated shoulder: This occurs when the bone is displaced from its socket. Since the shoulder joint has the widest range of motion with the least stability, there’s a higher chance of getting the upper arm bone dislocated from its sockets. It can happen from falls, sports injuries, and other traumas. Additionally, once it is dislocated, it becomes highly vulnerable to multiple dislocations in the future.

• Frozen shoulder: It is also known as adhesive capsulitis, which causes stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint. It occurs when the capsule of connective tissue enclosing the shoulder joint gets thickened or tighter. It creates restricted movement and a gradual increase in pain. Additionally, keeping your shoulder still for a longer period can increase the risk of developing this condition.

• Rotator cuff injuries: The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder joint. It maintains the placement of the upper arm bone in its socket. Over time, with wear and tear, repetitive overhead movements, heavy lifting, and accidents, damage to these muscles can lead to severe injuries. Usually, the pain starts as dull and rapidly gets worse.

In rare cases, heart attacks, lung cancer, or cervical fractures also cause left shoulder pain, which needs immediate medical treatment. It is usually accompanied by other symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, vomiting, and neck or jaw pain.

Right Shoulder Pain Causes

Like left shoulder pain, right shoulder pain is also caused by the same conditions as a frozen shoulder, rotator cuff injuries, dislocated shoulder, bursitis, muscle strain, arthritis in shoulder joints, etc. However, it is also caused by several other conditions as well, including:

1. Broken collarbone: It occurs when there’s a break in your collarbone (clavicle). This bone is used to build a connection between your shoulder and breastbone (sternum). It can occur due to falls or severe trauma.
2. Upper arm fracture: This occurs when the humerus gets broken, usually close to the shoulder or along the shaft (middle) of the bone. Like broken collarbones, it often occurs due to falls or severe trauma.
3. Disuse syndrome: It is a general term used for conditions that occur from immobility or physical inactivity. It usually involves muscle atrophy and wasting. People who have recently undergone a period of rest due to surgery or injury are at high risk of developing disuse syndrome. A person may experience symptoms like muscle stiffness, shrinkage, weakness, and susceptibility to injury.
4. Calcific tendinitis: This condition occurs when calcium deposits occur in or around the rotator cuff, causing symptoms similar to a frozen shoulder. However, the exact cause is unknown.
5. Shoulder sprain: It occurs when ligaments in the shoulder get stretched or torn. It can occur in any ligament of the shoulder. Sprains generally occur due to sports injuries, falls, or vehicle collisions.
6. Separated shoulder: This occurs when there’s an injury to the ligaments that hold the shoulder to the collarbone. It makes the ligaments stretch or completely tear.
7. Brachial neuritis: This occurs when the brachial nerve, which supplies innervation between the shoulder and arm, gets inflamed. The exact cause is unknown. However, around 60% of the time, it affects the dominant side.

When to go to a doctor?

You should see a doctor for shoulder pain if you have any of the following:

• Fever
• Inability to move your shoulder
• Bruising
• Tenderness in or around the joint
• Persistent pain even after rest or home treatment for several weeks

If your shoulder pain occurs suddenly and is not related to an injury, then you should seek emergency medical help because it can be a sign of a heart attack. Other signs of heart attack are:

• Chest tightness
• Trouble breathing
• Dizziness
• Excessive sweating
• Neck or jaw pain

Additionally, also call 911 or visit the emergency room immediately if you’ve injured your shoulder and it is bleeding, swollen, and has visibly exposed tissue.

Left shoulder pain vs. right shoulder pain doesn’t make much difference, but some conditions that cause right shoulder pain are different. The symptoms you experience are more or less the same as are their treatment options. Just ensure you know when to seek medical help for your shoulder pain because it can be a sign of life-threatening conditions like a heart attack.

If you need help with shoulder pain, visit our pain management clinic in Brooklyn to get professional medical help. Call us to book your appointment now!!!!! If your pain needs professional assistance, visit our pain management clinic in Brooklyn today or call to get a consultation.  Our location at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212 is well-served by public transportation, including many bus routes, and the subway line. Visit our website at https://doralhw.jumilabs.com/department/pain-management/ or contact us on +1-718-367-2555 for additional details.