Shoulder pain can throw a wrench into your daily routine, making simple tasks like cooking dinner or typing on a keyboard feel like an exhausting battle. For active individuals, this kind of discomfort can also stall your exercise routine, disrupt hobbies like gardening or painting, and even hinder your social life.
Finding an effective solution to burning shoulder pain can mean the difference between getting through your everyday life and actually enjoying it. So let’s discover what might cause burning sensations in the shoulder and your options for treating it.
Types of shoulder pain
Pain is your body’s way of telling you something might be wrong. And while it may seem like a primitive way to get your attention, the pain signal is often highly specific to the cause of the injury or condition, which will guide the best course of action to treat it. For pain coming from the shoulder, the type of pain can be a starting point for the underlying cause:
- Sharp and/or shooting pain: Often tied to injuries like rotator cuff tears or bone fractures, especially if the pain intensifies with specific movements or postures.
- Burning sensation: Usually points to issues like inflammation, nerve irritation, infection, or a chronic condition affecting the joint or surrounding tissues.
Understanding these signals is critical to finding the most effective treatment plan. With that in mind, let’s focus on burning shoulder pain and what it might indicate.
Causes of burning pain in the shoulder
There are several possible reasons for the burning sensation in your shoulder. Although the best way to diagnose your pain would be to see a medical professional, you can understand more about how to take care of your shoulder at home by understanding some of the most common causes.
Arthritis (rheumatoid or osteoarthritis)
Arthritis is a leading cause of shoulder pain, including burning discomfort. It occurs when the joint’s cartilage wears away over time (in the case of osteoarthritis) or when the immune system attacks the joint lining (in rheumatoid arthritis).
A burning sensation often accompanies the swelling, stiffness, and reduced range of motion caused by arthritis. This chronic condition can worsen over time without the right treatment.
Bursitis
The shoulder joint contains small, fluid-filled sacs called bursae that cushion the joint and reduce friction between bones and tendons. Overuse or repetitive motion can cause these bursae to become inflamed, resulting in bursitis. This inflammation can lead to burning pain, especially when moving the shoulder in specific ways.
Infection
Though rare, infections in the shoulder joint or surrounding tissues can also lead to a burning sensation. Known as septic arthritis, these infections typically cause significant pain, redness, and sometimes fever. It’s essential to seek immediate medical care in these cases.
Tendonitis
Tendonitis occurs when the tendons in the shoulder, which connect muscles to bones, become inflamed. This condition often develops due to repetitive strain or overuse, common in athletes and individuals who perform frequent, raised-arm activities like painting or throwing. The burning sensation typically accompanies tenderness and swelling in the affected area.
Nerve damage or irritation
Burning pain in the shoulder can often point to nerve-related issues like brachial neuritis (inflammation of the brachial plexus nerves), cervical radiculopathy (pinched nerves in the neck), or even peripheral nerve injuries. These conditions may cause radiating pain, muscle weakness, or tingling sensations along with the burning discomfort.
Treating burning shoulder pain
As mentioned earlier, the best course of treatment will be dependent on what’s causing your shoulder pain. In some cases, rest, ice, and reducing activity can be enough to help you return to your normal activities.
In other cases, the condition may be better treated with a with the help of a medical expert who can tailor a treatment plan to prevent the issue from getting worse while also avoiding the need for more invasive treatment options.
Physical therapy can be one of the most effective ways to alleviate burning shoulder pain. A structured therapy plan might include:
- Stretching exercises: Improve flexibility and reduce tension in the shoulder joint.
- Strengthening exercises: Build muscle support around the joint to improve stability and reduce strain.
- Targeted therapy: Address the root cause, such as improving posture to relieve nerve compression or inflammation.
Physical therapy for burning shoulder pain in Kansas City
Burning shoulder pain can feel like a low-grade issue you just have to live with, but that’s not the case. With conservative yet effective treatment methods like manual therapy, strength training, and body mechanic training, you can find new ways to move and live your life with less pain.
Curious how physical therapy might be the right path forward for your pain? Our team will be happy to meet you when you call one of our nearby clinics or request an appointment online today.
