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Patient Questions  /  Shoulder pain reaching overhead

Shoulder, Elbow & Hand

Why Does My Shoulder Hurt When I Reach Overhead or Behind My Back?

Most often it's the rotator cuff, the group of muscles and tendons that steadies the shoulder, becoming irritated or overloaded. A stiff shoulder, as in frozen shoulder, can also make these movements painful. Most people improve with the right exercise, without surgery.

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Common causes

  • Rotator cuff irritation (sometimes called tendinitis, bursitis or impingement) often causes pain partway up as you raise your arm, and pain reaching behind you or putting on a jacket.
  • Rotator cuff tears are common as we age, and many improve with exercise alone.
  • Frozen shoulder causes the shoulder to slowly get stiff and painful in every direction, not just when reaching.
  • Sometimes pain in the shoulder actually comes from the neck.

Why exercise works

For most rotator cuff problems, a progressive strengthening program is the first recommended treatment. Making the cuff and shoulder-blade muscles stronger helps the shoulder handle reaching, lifting and daily tasks again. Resting the arm completely usually makes it stiffer and weaker.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor promptly if you have:

  • Shoulder or arm pain with chest pressure, shortness of breath or sweating: call 911
  • Sudden weakness where you can't lift your arm, especially after a fall
  • A shoulder that looks deformed after an injury
  • Fever with a hot, swollen shoulder, or constant pain with unexplained weight loss

How physical therapy at ARI can help

A physical therapist works out whether the pain is coming from the rotator cuff, a stiff joint or the neck, then gives you a strengthening plan matched to your shoulder, plus hands-on care and ways to do daily tasks with less pain.

At ARI Physical Therapy in Bakersfield, every visit is one-on-one and in person with a licensed physical therapist, and our clinic director, Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, is a board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist. We accept most private insurance plans and Medicare, and we have staff who speak Spanish and Hindi.

Read our full guide: Frozen shoulder and rotator cuff pain →

No referral needed to start. In California, you can see a physical therapist directly for up to 12 visits or 45 days, whichever comes first. Some insurance plans still require a referral for coverage; call us at (661) 282-8584 and we'll help you check.

Related questions

Ready to feel better?

Talk to a licensed physical therapist at ARI, one-on-one. Request an evaluation and we'll get back to you, usually within one business day.

Request an EvaluationCall (661) 282-8584

This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If you have symptoms, a licensed clinician should evaluate you.

Clinically reviewed by Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist · Reviewed September 2026