What are the common causes of pain in both shoulders?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Pain in both shoulders is commonly caused by rotator cuff issues (such as tendinitis, tears, or impingement) and conditions linked to diabetes, including frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis). Other potential causes include arthritis, bursitis, polymyalgia rheumatica, and referred pain from the neck or spine. These conditions often lead to stiffness, aching, weakness, and limited range of motion, making everyday tasks like reaching, lifting, or dressing difficult.

Because bilateral shoulder pain can stem from many overlapping causes—some minor, others requiring medical attention—self-diagnosis is unreliable and can delay proper treatment. Taking a free, instant, online symptom check can help you identify possible causes based on your specific symptoms, understand urgency, and decide whether home care, a primary doctor visit, or a specialist is the best next step. It's a quick, private way to gain clarity before making decisions about your health.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Discover likely causes of shoulder pain Learn if shoulder pain needs care today Find out if your shoulder pain is serious See OTC options for shoulder pain relief Find a doctor for shoulder pain Understand medically proven shoulder pain home remedies Check if shoulder pain needs urgent care

Not seeing your question? No worries.

Submit your own Question

Explanation

Pain in both shoulders can happen due to several reasons. One common cause is problems with the rotator cuff, which is a group of muscles and tendons that keep the shoulder joint stable. When the rotator cuff is injured or not working well, it can lead to pain and trouble moving the shoulder.

Another possible cause of shoulder pain is diabetes. People with diabetes might experience shoulder pain because diabetes can affect the tissues around the joint, leading to conditions like frozen shoulder or other shoulder problems.

Here are some key points:

Rotator Cuff Problems: These can happen after a trauma or gradually, due to wear and tear, leading to pain, stiffness and weakness.
Diabetes-Related Issues: Diabetes can cause changes in the shoulder that make it painful and hard to move.

Understanding these causes can help in managing shoulder pain better. If you have ongoing shoulder pain, you can check your symptoms with our free AI symptom checker to better understand what might be causing your discomfort, and it's important to talk to a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and treatment.

(References)

Thomas SJ, McDougall C, Brown ID, Jaberoo MC, Stearns A, Ashraf R, et al. (2007). Prevalence of symptoms and signs of shoulder problems in .... Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery, 18061115.
Williams GR Jr. (1997). Painful Shoulder After Surgery for Rotator Cuff Disease. The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 10797212.
Garcilazo C, Cavallasca JA, & Musuruana JL. (2010). Shoulder manifestations of diabetes mellitus. Current diabetes reviews, 20701586.

Thinking about asking ChatGPT?Ask me instead

Tell your friends about us.

We would love to help them too.

For First Time Users

What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?

We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.

Was this page helpful?

Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor's Note is a service for informational purposes. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.