The shoulder is the joint where your arms connect with the trunk of your body. It is comprised of three bones – the humerus or upper-arm bone, the scapula or shoulder blade, and the clavicle or collar bone – and an extensive network of muscles, tendons, and ligaments knitting them together.

The shoulder joint allows your arms a wide range of motion, up to 180 degrees straightened (flexion and abduction) and 90 degrees bent at the elbow (internal and external rotation). Shoulders can develop medical issues in several ways, including through overuse, strains, sprains, ligament and muscle tears, traumatic injury, and improper technique during physical activity. Common conditions include bursitis, tendonitis, swimmer’s shoulder, ligament tears, cartilage tears, rotator cuff injuries, arthritis, sprains, dislocations, and fractures.

Signs of a shoulder condition include:

• Inflammation

• Numbness

• Pain

• Reduced range of motion

• Stiffness

• Weakness