Common concern
Shoulder pain: rehabilitation in Astana
Does it hurt to lift your arm, reach or sleep on your side? Here are the common causes of shoulder pain and when it is time to book a visit.
What it is
The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body: it lets you raise your arm, reach, throw and pull up. That mobility depends on the muscles and tendons around the joint, which is why the shoulder is sensitive to overload and injury.
Shoulder pain can come from the joint itself or from the neck and upper back. A doctor will tell where it really comes from after an examination.
Common causes
This is not a diagnosis: a doctor will name the exact cause after an examination.
- Overload of the rotator cuff tendons — from overhead work, swimming, throwing or strength training
- Injuries: dislocation, damage to the tendons or the labrum
- Stiffness and pain that build up gradually (for example, with a “frozen shoulder”)
- Pain referred to the shoulder from the neck
- Recovery after shoulder surgery and fractures
When to book a visit
- It hurts to lift your arm, reach behind your back or sleep on that side
- The pain lasts longer than a week or two, or comes back during training
- The shoulder feels weak: it is hard to hold a weight or raise your arm
- The range of motion in your shoulder is gradually shrinking
- You are recovering from a shoulder injury or surgery
When you need urgent care
Do not wait for an appointment — seek urgent care (103 or 112) if:
- Pain in the shoulder or left arm together with chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath or a cold sweat — it may be your heart
- After a fall or a blow the shoulder looks deformed and the arm will not move
- The arm goes numb, weak or changes colour
- The joint suddenly becomes swollen, red and hot, with a fever
How we work
First consultation — 60 minutes: history, examination of the shoulder, neck and shoulder blade, movement tests and a review of your scans, if you have any.
If tests are needed to make a decision, the doctor will tell you which ones and why.
Plan: exercises for mobility, strength and shoulder-blade control plus treatments — matched to the cause of the pain and your load at work, in sport and at home.
Load increases step by step; repeat tests show what is changing, and the plan is adjusted.
Who leads your care
Clinic specialists people see with this concern.
Frequently asked questions
- Why does my shoulder hurt at night?
- Night pain occurs with different shoulder conditions — from tendon overload to inflammation. The cause cannot be named from one sign: the doctor will find it during the examination.
- Can I keep training?
- Often you can keep training by changing the exercises, the weight and the range of motion. A specialist will tell you what is right for you after the examination.
- Is shoulder pain always the joint?
- No. Pain can be referred from the neck or upper back, and pain in the left shoulder together with chest pain is a sign to call 103 or 112.
- Do I need scans before the first visit?
- Not necessarily. If you already have scans or reports, bring them along. If a test is needed, the doctor will tell you which one and why.
Book your first consultation
60 minutes with a doctor: history and scan review, movement tests and a starting plan. All treatments included.
25 000 ₸ · 20 000 ₸ — within 6 weeks of an injury or surgery
Reference information that does not replace an examination. A doctor will name the exact cause of the pain after examining you.