Musculoskeletal pain

Shoulder pain in Singapore: causes, tests and treatment

Name: Shoulder pain in Singapore: causes, tests and treatment
Creator: Dr Christopher Liu

Shoulder pain is common and has many causes, including tendon problems, a stiff or “frozen” shoulder, arthritis, and pain that starts in the neck. Most shoulder pain improves with time and the right exercise. A pain specialist can work out the cause and plan treatment with you.

At a glance

Common signsPain when lifting your arm, reaching behind you or lying on the shoulder, sometimes with stiffness or weakness.

See a specialist ifPain has lasted more than a couple of weeks, is getting worse, or is limiting your work or sleep.

What may helpStaying active, guided exercise, pain relief and, for persistent pain, an injection or other minimally invasive treatment.

Written and reviewed by Dr Christopher Liu, Pain PhysicianLast reviewed: 3 November 2026About Dr Liu

What causes shoulder pain, and how does it feel?

Many different problems can cause shoulder pain. The most common are:¹

Rotator cuff problems. The rotator cuff is a group of tendons that steadies the shoulder. Overuse or wear can make them painful. You may feel pain when lifting your arm or reaching overhead or behind your back, pain at night, especially lying on the shoulder, and sometimes weakness.
Frozen shoulder. The shoulder becomes painful and stiff. The defining feature is a global loss of movement: the shoulder moves less in every direction, both when you move it yourself and when someone else moves it. Pain is often worse at night.
Arthritis. Wear in the shoulder joint, or the joint at the top of the shoulder, can cause long-lasting pain and stiffness, sometimes with clicking.
Injury. Sports and falls can strain or tear tendons and ligaments. You may have sudden pain, weakness, or a feeling that the shoulder is unstable.
The neck. A problem in the neck can cause shoulder pain. Moving your neck may bring on or worsen the shoulder pain. If a nerve in the neck is irritated (radiculopathy), you may also have pain, tingling or numbness spreading down the arm, sometimes with weakness.

When should you see a pain specialist?

Consider an assessment if:¹

shoulder pain has lasted more than a couple of weeks
your pain is getting worse or waking you at night
moving your arm is becoming difficult
pain is affecting your work, exercise or sleep
medicines and physiotherapy have not given you enough relief

How is it diagnosed?

Diagnosis starts with your history and an examination of how your shoulder and neck move and how strong they are. Not everyone needs a scan. If your symptoms are persistent or a procedure is being planned, your doctor may suggest an ultrasound or MRI to look at the tendons and joint, or an X-ray to look at the bones. Scan changes are common in people with no pain, so findings are read together with your symptoms and examination.

How is it treated?

Most shoulder pain improves with simple measures.¹ Treatment usually follows steps, moving to other options if symptoms persist.

Stay active. Gentle movement is usually better than resting the shoulder. Avoid activities that clearly worsen the pain for a short time.
Guided exercise, usually with a physiotherapist, to restore movement and strengthen the muscles around the shoulder.
Pain medicines, used as advised by your doctor.
Injections. Depending on the cause, options include shoulder hydrodilatation for a stiff, painful shoulder, and hip, knee and shoulder joint injections.
Other treatments that may be considered for selected people include platelet rich plasma injection, shockwave therapy and shoulder denervation.

No treatment works for everyone, and Dr Liu will explain the benefits, limits and risks of each.

What to expect at your visit

At your consultation, Dr Liu will ask about your symptoms, your work and daily activities, and your medical history, and examine your shoulder, neck and arm. He will explain what he finds, discuss whether any tests would help, and go through your treatment options, including their benefits, limits and risks, so that you can decide what suits you.

Dr Christopher Liu, Pain Physician

MOH accredited Pain Specialist and Medical Director of Alleviate Pain Clinic at Farrer Park Hospital. He completed an interventional pain fellowship at the University Health Network in Toronto and was previously a Senior Consultant in Pain Medicine at Singapore General Hospital.

Related conditions

Rotator cuff tendinopathyCauses and treatment Frozen shoulderCauses and treatment Neck painCauses and treatment

References

NHS. Shoulder pain. nhs.uk/conditions/shoulder-pain

This page gives general information and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please see a doctor about your own symptoms and treatment options.

Common questions

Why does my shoulder hurt when I lift my arm?

Pain on lifting is often linked to the rotator cuff tendons, which work hardest when the arm is raised. Other causes include a stiff shoulder, arthritis, or the neck (if turning your neck changes the pain), so an examination is needed to tell them apart.

How do I know if it is frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder causes a loss of movement in all directions, and the shoulder is stiff even when someone else tries to move it. If your pain is mainly on lifting or reaching but the shoulder still moves fully, another cause is more likely. An examination can tell the difference.

Do I need a scan?

Not always. Many people are diagnosed from history and examination. A scan may help if symptoms are persistent, if a procedure is planned, or if the diagnosis is uncertain.

Will my shoulder pain go away on its own?

Many shoulder problems improve over weeks to months, and some take longer. See someone if it is getting worse or has not improved after a couple of weeks.

Does insurance cover interventional pain treatments in Singapore?

Interventional pain procedures are covered by the Ministry of Health's Table of Surgical Procedures (TOSP). They are therefore reimbursable by all Integrated Shield Plans and most corporate insurance plans. However, it is advisable to obtain preauthorisation from your insurer before the procedure. Our clinic staff will guide you through this process.