Burning pain in the shoulder: causes, treatment, and exercises

Feeling a burning sensation in your shoulder when brushing your hair, getting dressed, or typing at your desk? You’re not alone. While this discomfort can be concerning, it’s often manageable with simple strategies, like gentle movement and applying heat or ice to the area.

Learn more about burning pain in the shoulder, including possible causes, practical relief tips, and exercises recommended by Hinge Health physical therapists.

What is burning pain in the shoulder?

Burning pain in the shoulder often happens when the nerves or muscles in the area become irritated or sensitive, says Caleb Wolters, PT, DPT, a Hinge Health physical therapist. You might notice this sensation after a challenging workout or even from sitting in the same position for a long time (like at your computer). 

“Usually, you feel the burning sensation throughout the shoulder instead of in just one spot,” says Dr. Wolters. “It tends to radiate in and around your shoulder blade up and up into the top part of your shoulder.” This burning feeling is often paired with a dull, deep ache.

Causes of burning sensation in the shoulder

There are several reasons you might notice a burning feeling in your shoulder. Sometimes, everyday activities or certain positions can make the nerves or muscles in your shoulder feel more sensitive. Previous shoulder injuries or muscle tension in the area may also contribute to this sensation. Common factors include:

• Nerve compression. Nerves act like roads for your body’s messages. If there’s a “traffic jam” along the route (such as a pinched nerve), those messages might get slowed down or feel a little different — sometimes causing burning or tingling sensations. Muscle tightness or tension in your neck or shoulder can make these nerves more sensitive, which might explain the burning feeling, says Dr. Wolters. 

• Rotator cuff injury. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that help you lift and move your arm. Sometimes, these tissues can become irritated from everyday activities or ramping up exercise too quickly. “This often shows up as a burning sensation or dull ache — especially when you reach out to the side or overhead,” says Dr. Wolters. 

• Bursitis. Shoulder bursitis happens when  the bursae — fluid-filled sacs that cushion your shoulder joint — are inflamed. “In some cases, this can lead to burning at the top of your shoulder,” says Dr. Wolters.

• Muscle strain. If the burning sensation is related to a muscle strain (or when a muscle overstretches) you’ll often experience a sore, burning feeling across your whole shoulder, Dr. Wolters says.

How movement helps relieve burning pain in shoulder

When burning pain strikes in the shoulder, it’s common to instinctively avoid moving the joint for fear of making things worse. However, physical therapists often recommend gentle movement — even when it feels counterintuitive. Targeted exercises can help reduce stiffness, improve circulation, and support the healthy function of nerves, which is especially important for addressing nerve-related burning pain. 

Gradual movement helps nourish irritated tissues, prevent further loss of mobility, and speed up recovery. Below are some recommended exercises to help manage burning shoulder pain.

The above exercises can help alleviate shoulder pain and reduce burning sensations by promoting strength, mobility, and range of motion in the area. “When you build up the muscles and tendons that support your shoulder, it can help relieve discomfort—including burning pain,” says Dr. Wolters. Gentle stretching and movement also help keep the area flexible and give your nerves space to move comfortably.

The information contained in these videos is intended to be used for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or treatment for any specific condition. Hinge Health is not your healthcare provider and is not responsible for any injury sustained or exacerbated by your use of or participation in these exercises. Please consult with your healthcare provider with any questions you may have about your medical condition or treatment.

Treatments for burning pain in the shoulder

Burning pain in your shoulder can make it harder to do everyday activities, like carrying groceries or finding ‌comfortable sleeping positions. You can find relief from this burning sensation with conservative strategies such as doing the above targeted exercises, applying cold therapy to the tender area, and getting a massage. Helpful treatments include:

• Try physical therapy and targeted exercises. Targeted exercises can help strengthen and stretch soft tissues in and around your shoulder, which can help alleviate that burning pain in the area. You can do exercise therapy at home or work with a physical therapist who can guide you through movements tailored to your needs. You can see a physical therapist in person or use a program like Hinge Health, where you may access a PT via telehealth/video visit. 

• Stay active. It might feel counterintuitive to work out when you have a burning sensation in your shoulder, but gentle activity can ‌be very helpful. Movement is medicine: activities that get your heart rate up help increase blood flow to your shoulder, which can support healing. Movement also boosts the release of endorphins — your body’s natural feel-good chemicals — which can also help ease pain, Dr. Wolters says.

• Apply ice or heat. If burning pain in your shoulder is due to a recent injury, applying ice to your shoulder or neck within the first 48 hours can help to reduce inflammation. Heat, on the other hand, helps ease muscle stiffness. Try alternating between both methods, or stick with the one that works best for you.

• Consider over-the-counter (OTC) medication. Pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help ease pain so you can perform your targeted exercises and stay active when you have shoulder pain. Other options are topical NSAIDs or pain relief creams. If you have a medical condition or take other medications, check in with your provider to make sure these OTC options are ‌safe to take.

• Try complementary treatments. Talk to your provider if you’re interested in trying alternative treatments for shoulder pain relief, such as massage, acupuncture, or chiropractic care.

• Ask about TENS therapy. TENS, or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, uses gentle pulses to quiet your pain response and help reduce shoulder pain. One option is the wearable device Enso, available through Hinge Health. It’s small, wireless, and portable.

How to prevent burning sensation in the shoulder

While you can’t predict when a burning sensation in the shoulder will appear, certain prevention approaches — such as changing positions regularly, taking movement breaks periodically throughout the day, and working on stress management — can help. These strategies include:

• Switch positions frequently. Your best position is your next position, says Dr. Wolters. If you sit in the same position all day, your muscles can tighten. Changing how you sit and stand throughout the day can help you prevent potential irritation in your shoulders — and other parts of your body. 

• Take movement snack breaks. “Movement helps to keep inflammation at bay,” Dr. Wolters says. If you’re sitting at your computer for most of the day, try to get up and move around every 30 minutes or so. “Motion is lotion,” says Dr. Wolters. “If you move around often, you may prevent that burning sensation in your shoulder.”

• Stretch it out. Consider doing gentle shoulder stretches, such as the wall slide and doorway stretch above, at least once a day, says Dr. Wolters. “They help to relieve tense muscles and increase blood flow to the area, which will help to prevent a burning sensation,” says Dr. Wolters. You can also try other gentle stretches at your desk or while in the passenger seat of a car. 

• Practice stress management. “Stress often settles in your neck and shoulders, causing tension that can lead to more soreness and sensitivity,” says Dr. Wolters. This phenomenon is part of the mind-body connection. Exercise is a great way to control stress and help tender areas in your shoulders heal. Practicing mindfulness techniques, such as diaphragmatic breathing and doing a body scan meditation can help ease tension across your body.

When to see a doctor

Most burning pain in the shoulder often improves on its own with conservative treatments. But if your shoulder pain is severe, getting worse, or causing difficulty with daily activities, see a healthcare provider. It’s also a good idea to get care if:

• The burning sensation worsens over several days or weeks

• You notice muscle weakness in your shoulder

Also, if you notice other symptoms like chest pain, trouble breathing, breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, rapid or irregular heartbeat, extreme fatigue, or feeling lightheaded, seek medical attention immediately. Any of these symptoms, coupled with a burning pain in your shoulder, could indicate a heart attack.

PT tip: Practice bent over rows to break up stiffness

Staying in one position for a long time can leave your shoulders feeling stiff or achy. Dr. Wolters recommends practicing bent over rows throughout the day, especially when you only have a few seconds for a movement snack break. “Standing tall, hinge at your hips to bring your chest forward, letting your hands hang down toward the floor,” Dr. Wolters says. “Pull your hands back to your sides by bending your elbows and gently squeeze your shoulder blades together as you move your hands back.”

How Hinge Health can help you

If you have joint or muscle pain that makes it hard to move, you can get the relief you’ve been looking for with Hinge Health’s online exercise therapy program.

The best part: You don’t have to leave your home because our program is digital. That means you can easily get the care you need through our app when and where it works for you.

Through our program, you’ll have access to therapeutic exercises and stretches for your condition. Additionally, you’ll have a personal care team to guide, support, and tailor our program to you.

See if you qualify for Hinge Health and confirm free coverage through your employer or benefit plan here.

This article and its contents are provided for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or professional services specific to you or your medical condition.

References 

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2. OrthoInfo. (2018). Shoulder Pain and Common Shoulder Problems - OrthoInfo - AAOS. Aaos.org. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/shoulder-pain-and-common-shoulder-problems/

3. Arthritis of the Shoulder - OrthoInfo - AAOS. (n.d.). Www.orthoinfo.org. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/arthritis-of-the-shoulder

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5. Weber, S., & Chahal, J. (2020). Case Studies AAOS Clinical Practice Guideline: Management of Rotator Cuff Injuries. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. doi:10.5435/jaaos-d-20-00450

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