Why Does Your Shoulder Hurt?
Before you start looking at specific reasons for your shoulder pain it is important to first understand why your shoulder is susceptible to injury and disease. Your shoulder is an amazing joint that allows you an incredibly wide range of motion. This range of motion is extremely beneficial but it comes at a price; decreased stability. Since the shoulder is so unstable, often the bones, muscle, and tissue of the shoulder are damaged while they try to support your arm during all of the movement it endures.
How A Shoulder Works
Your shoulder is a complex ball and socket joint made up of many bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The three bones that comprise the shoulder joint are the humorous, scapula and clavicle. The ball portion of the joint is situated on top of the humorous bone and then sits inside the socket of the scapula. Supporting the joint are ligaments, which connect the separate bones to each other. Motion is caused by the tendons, which tie together the bones and muscles. There are a group of tendons that hold the ball into the socket called the rotator cuff. The bursae are the sacks that provide cushioning to the joint and allow for the motion to be fluid and easy.
