What causes pain in the back of the shoulder when moving my arm?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Pain in the back of the shoulder when moving your arm is often caused by shoulder impingement, a common condition where tendons become pinched during arm movement. Other possible causes include diabetes-related shoulder issues, such as adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder), or referred pain from the neck, like cervical radiculopathy, where a pinched nerve sends pain into the shoulder area.

Because these conditions share overlapping symptoms but require very different treatments, identifying the true cause early is key to faster relief and preventing long-term damage. The quickest way to narrow down what's behind your shoulder pain is to take a free, instant, online symptom check—it helps you understand your symptoms and confidently plan your next steps.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Learn what’s causing back shoulder pain Discover if your shoulder pain needs care See if movement triggers need evaluation Find OTC relief for back shoulder pain Find a doctor for shoulder pain Understand home remedies for shoulder pain Find if back shoulder pain is serious

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Explanation

Pain in the back of your shoulder when moving your arm can have several causes. One common reason is shoulder impingement, where the shoulder muscles get pinched during arm movement. This can sometimes present as neck pain too, as the neck and shoulder are closely connected.

Another possible cause is cervical radiculopathy, which involves nerve problems in the neck that can affect the shoulder. This condition can sometimes be relieved by holding the arm in a certain position, known as the shoulder abduction relief sign.

Additionally, people with diabetes may experience shoulder pain due to various conditions related to diabetes. These conditions can affect how the shoulder moves and feels.

If you are experiencing shoulder pain, you can get personalized insights about your symptoms by taking a free AI-powered symptom checker assessment and then discuss the results with a healthcare provider to find the best way to address your condition.

(References)

Fast A, Parikh S, & Marin EL. (1989). The shoulder abduction relief sign in cervical radiculopathy. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 2719545.
Garcilazo C, Cavallasca JA, & Musuruana JL. (2010). Shoulder manifestations of diabetes mellitus. Current diabetes reviews, 20701586.
Gorski JM, & Schwartz LH. (2003). Shoulder impingement presenting as neck pain. The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume, 12672838.

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