Shoulder pain is more common than you might think

Studies show that:

• 18-26% of adults experience it at any given time
• 20-50% will deal with it over the course of a year
• 70% will face it at some point in their lifetime

One in five musculoskeletal disability payments are linked to neck and shoulder issues.

This is despite the fact that only half of those affected seek medical care. And nearly half among them report that their symptoms persist or return within a year.

In my practice, I see this often: even among those coming to me for unrelated issues, many have shoulder restrictions or limited mobility, even if they don’t report pain in the shoulder joint. These issues often show up as poor breathing habits, difficulty moving their arms fully or as discomfort in the neck and jaw.

Why are shoulder issues so common?

A key reason is the shoulder’s design. Unlike the hip, which has a deep socket for stability, the shoulder socket is shallow, offering more mobility but less support. This makes the joint more vulnerable to strains, tears, dislocations, and injuries from overuse, lack of support, or even a simple fall.

Other factors—poor posture, repetitive overhead movements, improper technique, stress and age-related wear—also contribute.

In today’s world, prolonged sitting, poor posture from computer or phone use, and repetitive tasks like typing or carrying heavy laptop bags put extra strain on the shoulders, increasing the risk of pain and dysfunction.

Is it all bad news?

Should you simply resign yourself to shoulder pain and limited mobility?

From my own experience with shoulder pain and years of helping others with similar issues, I can tell you that it doesn’t have to be this way.

Much of the shoulder pain we experience is unnecessary and can be easily avoided.

In my next post, I’ll share what I learned from my own tennis injury.