What could prevent me from raising my arm behind my back?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Difficulty raising your arm behind your back is often a sign of a shoulder condition such as frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis), rotator cuff injury, or shoulder impingement. This limited range of motion is more common in people with diabetes, who face a higher risk of developing frozen shoulder and other joint stiffness issues.

Because shoulder pain and restricted movement can stem from many different causes—ranging from minor strains to conditions requiring medical treatment—identifying the likely cause early can help you get the right care faster. Take a free, instant, online symptom check to better understand what may be behind your symptoms and confidently plan your next steps.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Discover likely causes of shoulder movement pain See if your arm limitation needs care Find out what’s causing your back-reach pain Find OTC relief for shoulder pain Find a doctor for shoulder movement problems Understand safe home remedies for shoulder stiffness Learn if this could be a rotator cuff injury

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Explanation

Having trouble moving your arm behind your back may be due to shoulder issues. People with diabetes can sometimes have problems, like adhesive capsulitis, that affect their shoulder movement. This condition can make it hard to lift your arm or reach behind you.

Possible Causes

Diabetes-Related Shoulder Issues: In some people with diabetes, the shoulder can become stiff and painful, limiting movement. This might make it hard to raise your arm behind your back.
Other Factors: While not directly covered in the references, other factors like injuries or different medical conditions could also affect shoulder movement.

If you are having trouble with your shoulder movement, try our free AI symptom checker to help identify what might be causing your symptoms, then talk to a healthcare provider to explore possible treatments.

(References)

Garcilazo C, Cavallasca JA, & Musuruana JL. (2010). Shoulder manifestations of diabetes mellitus. Current diabetes reviews, 20701586.
Schreiber AL, & Formal CS. (2007). Spinal cord infarction secondary to cocaine use. American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation, 17167348.
Little RA, & Stoner HB. (1981). Body temperature after accidental injury. The British journal of surgery, 7225735.

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