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Stiff, Aching Pain Shoulder Pain? Read On!
Have you ever had a tight, aching pain between your shoulder blades or across your upper back? It might strike right behind your shoulder, near your spine, or up toward your neck. This kind of discomfort often comes from straining the muscles in your upper back—your rhomboids and trapezius. Or, if you are really unlucky, your supraspinatus might be involved. Once these muscles get irritated, the pain can compound and make certain arm motions almost impossible. What’s worse is that we use our shoulders constantly—for lifting, reaching, typing, or even just sitting up straight. So when an injury in the back of the shoulder arises, it can really throw a wrench into your daily routine.
Why Does It Hurt?
Your shoulder is a complex hub of muscles, including the rhomboids (between your shoulder blades), the trapezius (spanning your upper back and neck), the supraspinatus (a triangular muscle located at the back of the shoulder), among many others. These muscles work together to stabilize your shoulder blades and support your posture. They’re anchored by tendons that connect to your spine, rotator cuff and shoulder bones.
When everything is functioning normally, these muscles help your shoulders move smoothly and with great strength. But when your rhomboids, trapezius or supraspinatus get overworked—typically from excessive throwing motion or overhead movements—they can tighten or strain. This pulls on your shoulder blades, leading to inflammation, stiffness, and that deep, aching pain when you lift your arm or turn your head to the side.
Shoulder Pain Varies Widely
The shoulder is an intricate joint with many moving parts. There are over a dozen injuries and conditions that can spark shoulder pain, with several tied to the rhomboids, trapezius and supraspinatus. Each injury type requires a specific treatment plan, so a generic fix won’t cut it.
This is where expert physical therapy really shines! A licensed physical therapist can perform dozens of tests on your back, shoulder and arm, and is able to pinpoint whether your pain stems from the rhomboid, trapezius, supraspinatus, or something else entirely. They’ll guide you to the right treatments. When ignored and left unattended, this kind of shoulder pain can worsen, causing more inflammation, reduced mobility, and even neck or arm issues that affect your overall health.
You’re In Great Hands
At Mojo SportClinic, we treat stiff, aching shoulder pain every day—and our patients swear by our results. With our online physical therapy platform, Mojo Chat, you can start recovery from home at any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Mojo Chat begins with a easy to answer questions about your shoulder and upper back—the exact same questions our physical therapists ask when they see you in person. Then, you can record a quick video to show exactly where it hurts, explain how it started, and share any concerns.
A licensed physical therapist reviews everything and delivers a clear diagnosis, plus a tailored 14-day treatment plan you can start immediately. Mojo Chat guides you daily, lets you ask questions via text or video, and adjusts your plan as you heal. Our therapists track your progress to ensure you’re on the right path. 86% of users who follow the full 14-day treatment plan report significant to full healing. For users who need more help, Mojo Chat guides them to the best in-person physical therapy clinics nearby.
Don’t Live With Shoulder Pain
If stiff, aching shoulder pain is slowing you down, don’t wait. Start a Mojo Chat case today and take the first step toward relief. If your employer offers Mojo Chat, check with HR for a coupon code. Or, simply use a credit card to get started.
No appointments. No hassle. Just expert help when you need it—anytime, anywhere.