Shoulder pain can usually be eased at home. The NHS says that with self-care it should start to improve after about 2 weeks, though it can take 6 months or longer to get better completely. At home it says keep moving the shoulder gently rather than stopping using it, and carry on with shoulder exercises for 6 to 8 weeks. See a GP if it is getting worse or hasn’t improved after 2 weeks; get urgent help for sudden or very bad pain, not being able to move your arm, a changed shape or bad swelling, or pain after an injury. This sets out the NHS page “Shoulder pain”.
1. It should start to improve after about 2 weeks. Full recovery can take 6 months or longer.
2. Keep moving it gently rather than resting it completely — 6 to 8 weeks of shoulder exercises help stop the pain coming back.
3. Worse or no better after 2 weeks: GP. Sudden or very bad pain, can’t move your arm, or after an injury: urgent help.
What to do and not do at home — NHS
| Type | What the NHS says | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| Do | Stay active and gently move your shoulder | — |
| Do | Do shoulder exercises for 6 to 8 weeks | Said to help stop the pain coming back |
| Do | Stand up straight with your shoulders relaxed down and back | — |
| Do | Support your lower back when sitting; rest your arm on a cushion | — |
| Do | Use pain relief and heat or cold packs — frozen peas in a tea towel or a hot water bottle, for short periods | No times on this page |
| Don’t | Stop using your shoulder completely | — |
| Don’t | Do anything that makes the pain worse | — |
| Don’t | Make up strenuous exercises or use heavy gym equipment | — |
| Don’t | Slouch, roll your shoulders or push your neck forward | Same direction as forward-head posture |
A pharmacist can suggest painkillers as tablets, creams or gels and say if you need a GP. Choosing a painkiller is in OTC medicine by symptom; example shoulder moves are in shoulder mobility.
When to get help — NHS
| If | Where | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| Pain getting worse or not improved after 2 weeks | GP | — |
| It’s very difficult to move your arm or shoulder | GP | — |
| Sudden or very bad pain, or you cannot move your arm | Urgent GP or 111 | In Korea, same-day care or A&E (our gloss) |
| Shoulder has changed shape or is badly swollen | Urgent GP or 111 | Could be a fracture, dislocation or torn ligament or tendon |
| Pins and needles that don’t go away, no feeling in the arm or shoulder, or it’s hot or cold to touch | Urgent GP or 111 | — |
| Pain after an injury such as a fall, severe pain in both shoulders, or a fever or feeling unwell | Urgent GP or 111 | — |
Causes by symptom — NHS
The NHS pairs symptoms with possible causes, and says not to self-diagnose — see a doctor.
| Symptoms | Possible cause (NHS) | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| Long-lasting pain and stiffness | Frozen shoulder, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis | — |
| Pain that gets worse with use | Tendonitis, bursitis, impingement | — |
| Tingling, numbness, weakness, or clicking or locking | Shoulder instability (sometimes linked to hypermobility) | — |
| Sudden severe pain, limited movement, changed shape | Dislocated shoulder, broken arm or collarbone, torn tendon | Same as the urgent rows above |
| Pain at the top of the shoulder where the collarbone meets it | Acromioclavicular joint problems (dislocation or damaged ligaments) | — |
A doctor will examine you and may arrange tests such as an X-ray; depending on the cause, treatment may include stronger medicine or injections, physiotherapy or home exercises, avoiding activities that make it worse, or referral to a specialist.
Checklist
- ☐ Keep it moving gently; don’t rest it completely
- ☐ 6 to 8 weeks of shoulder exercises; no heavy gym equipment
- ☐ Stand tall; support your lower back when sitting
- ☐ No better after 2 weeks: GP
- ☐ Sudden or severe pain, can’t move your arm, after an injury, both shoulders, or fever: urgent help
Questions that remain
Won’t resting it help?
The NHS lists stopping using your shoulder completely as a “don’t”. The direction of the page is to move it gently within what doesn’t hurt and avoid only what makes it worse.
How long should I wait?
With self-care it should start to improve after about 2 weeks. If it’s worse or no better by then, see a GP. Full recovery can take 6 months or longer.
My neck hurts too.
The NHS thresholds for neck pain are in neck pain.
Sources
- NHS — Shoulder pain — source (page shows: reviewed 22 May 2023, next review 22 May 2026; checked 19 October 2026 — the review date has passed and we quote the page as shown). Recovery time, 5 dos and 4 don’ts, pharmacist, 2 GP and 9 urgent reasons, 5 causes by symptom, treatment.
- Not read. Korean agency guidance on shoulder pain.
- What we added. The “worth noting” column and the Korean care gloss.
Where else to check
- Your GP or an orthopaedic clinic — if it’s no better after 2 weeks.
Written on 19 October 2026. The content is from the NHS; the glosses are ours.
