OpenHealth Q&A

Persistent Right Shoulder Pain

Hello everyone, I'm a 20-year-old female, standing at 5'3" and weighing 130 pounds. For the past two years, I've been experiencing recurring pain in my right shoulder. When I mention "bouts," I mean that the discomfort intensifies sporadically, only to subside completely for a month or two before returning—though it has progressively worsened over time. Initially, my shoulder would feel sore for about a day, but now the duration has increased, and I currently endure consistent pain rated at a 5 or 6 on a scale of 10, which has lingered for over a week. The intensity has lessened to about a 2 or 3 now. This pain is constant, yet it isn’t sharp or stabbing. Although it’s more of a nuisance, I find myself increasingly anxious that it might escalate. While heat and cold applications provide some relief, they haven't dramatically changed my condition. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) showed little benefit during the first five days but seem to have some effect now. Notably, my shoulder isn’t painful to touch, nor is it warm or swollen; I do sometimes feel pain radiating down my arm. In February, I sought care at an orthopedic urgent care facility due to the enduring pain lasting beyond four to five days. I don’t experience pain when I move my shoulder, which was frustrating to me during the evaluation as they kept asking whether it hurt while moving it in various directions. I understand that this is part of their assessment process, though. X-rays yielded no significant findings, yet they declined to refer me for an MRI, which is necessary for insurance coverage. Most recently, on July 25, I discussed this issue again with my primary care provider during my second appointment with him (I had forgotten to mention it during the prior visit). He recommended some stretches and advised me to inform him at my next appointment if the pain persisted, which is scheduled for January 2026. Ironically, my pain flared up shortly after this consultation. I can’t pinpoint any specific activity that might have caused it. The discomfort tends to manifest at random intervals. Now, I'm contemplating whether to visit a different orthopedic urgent care, hoping for an MRI, but I wonder if I might be overreacting. The anxious thoughts in my head are weighing on me, with unfounded fears regarding cancer lurking behind my worry. Last year, I had a brief experience with a chiropractor who claimed that my right scapula was positioned approximately 1 to 2 inches lower than my left. However, images were never taken, so I cannot verify this claim. Furthermore, I have some hypermobility in my right shoulder, though only to a certain degree. I’m unsure if it’s relevant, but I’ve also been experiencing intermittent mid-back pain around the T8-9 region, which feels like a part of the vertebrae is catching when I take a deep breath or bend. This sensation usually dissipates after a few minutes of stretching, so I’ve attributed it to muscle stiffness, but I’m including it here just in case. In terms of my medical history, I have no known allergies except for bees, no history of connective tissue disorders, spinal or nerve issues, nor hypertension. My only notable medical concern is ADHD. My blood pressure generally averages around 100/70, with my most recent reading being 101/78 on July 25. I have never smoked, consume alcohol only occasionally (1-2 drinks monthly), and have never used drugs. I have been taking prescription birth control since September 2023. I did sustain an unknown shoulder injury during the winter of 2022 while playing soccer, but I did not have any imaging done at that time; the pain subsided after a few days without bruising or pain when moving around. On a family health note, there’s a history of colon, lung, stomach, breast, and bladder cancer on my maternal grandmother's side, but given her heavy smoking habits (4+ packs per day), it's tough to determine if this is genetically linked or related to lifestyle factors. Additionally, there’s a familial history of lupus from my maternal great aunt, though I consider this to be distantly related to me. I apologize for the lengthy explanation, but I wanted to be as detailed as possible. Please feel free to ask any further questions if you have them; I’m more than willing to provide more information. Thank you in advance!

Answers (1)

8/8/2025, 4:02:18 AM

OpenHealth AI

Thank you for sharing such a detailed account of your situation. It sounds like you're dealing with a frustrating and persistent shoulder pain, which has understandably raised some concerns. Let's break this down and address your key issues while providing actionable steps to manage and potentially improve your condition.

Main Points

• You are experiencing recurring pain in your right shoulder that has been worsening over two years.
• The pain has been persistent recently, with some relief from heat, cold applications, and NSAIDs.
• You have a background of hypermobility and some mid-back pain, and you're feeling anxious about the symptoms.

Explanation

Your shoulder pain could stem from a variety of causes, including muscle strain, tendonitis, or issues related to hypermobility. It's encouraging that X-rays have not shown any significant findings, which can often rule out major bone or joint problems. The intermittent nature of your pain, as well as the presence of hypermobility, suggests that it may be mechanical or related to muscle imbalances.

Addressing Your Concerns

• Anxiety About Serious Conditions: It’s understandable to worry, especially with a family history of cancer. However, your current symptom presentation and examination findings do not strongly indicate a serious underlying condition like cancer. Building a strong engagement with healthcare providers is essential, ensuring you feel heard and understood.
• Mid-Back Pain: The sensation you described could indeed be related to muscle stiffness or postural issues, especially given your shoulder symptoms. Mid-back discomfort can often be associated with shoulder function.

Actionable Next Steps

1. Physical Therapy Consultation:

   • Consider seeking a physical therapist who can assess your shoulder and back, prescribe targeted exercises, and address muscle imbalances. They can also guide you on how to manage hypermobility appropriately.

2. Continue Stretching and Strengthening:

   • Focus on gentle stretching and strengthening exercises for your shoulder and upper back. It may be helpful to integrate specific stability exercises to support your shoulder joint.

3. Pain Management Techniques:

   • Continue using heat and cold therapy as needed for pain relief. NSAIDs can be beneficial when taken as directed, but monitor their use and effectiveness.

4. Monitor Symptoms:

   • Keep a journal of your symptoms, activities, and any potential triggers (for example, specific movements or postures). This may help identify patterns over time and inform discussions with healthcare professionals.

5. Consider Further Evaluation:

   • If your symptoms persist or worsen, seeking a second opinion from another orthopedic specialist or a rheumatologist may be beneficial. Discuss the possibility of an MRI and explain your ongoing concerns clearly.

6. Engage in Relaxation Techniques:

   • Since you're feeling anxious, consider techniques such as mindfulness or yoga to help manage anxiety around your symptoms and improve your overall well-being.

Above all, please remember that many shoulder issues can be resolved or significantly improved with appropriate care, so you are not alone in this process. If you have more questions or want to discuss specific exercises, feel free to ask.