Reset Bodyworks Sports Massage

Why Does Your Shoulder Hurt When You Lift Your Arm Overhead? | Shoulder Impingement Explained

If you’re dealing with shoulder pain in Wokingham - especially when reaching overhead, lifting, or exercising - this is likely why. 👇

Between your shoulder blade and the top of your arm bone sits a small tunnel. A tendon connected to your supraspinatus muscle (one of your four rotator cuff muscles) runs directly through it. When you lift your arm - particularly between a quarter and halfway through an overhead motion - this space naturally narrows.

If that space is already a little tight - due to poor posture, weak rotator cuff muscles, or a tendon that’s already irritated - it gets squeezed every single time you lift your arm through that range. This is known as shoulder impingement, and it’s one of the most common causes of shoulder pain I see.

Common causes of shoulder impingement:
📍 Rounded or slouched posture
📍 Weak rotator cuff / shoulder stabiliser muscles
📍 Repetitive overhead activity without enough recovery (sports, lifting, manual work)
📍 Age-related changes to the shoulder joint

I’m based right here in Wokingham at Reset Bodyworks, and I help people understand exactly what’s driving their shoulder pain - not just mask the symptoms.

💾 Save this if your shoulder’s been bothering you
📩 Message me or drop a comment if you’d like help figuring out your next steps

Amazing results from my clients today!🙌🏻No 2 days are the same at Reset Bodyworks, thats for sure😅

For now thats a wrap!🎬

📍Wokingham, Berkshire

Not all “sciatica” is actually sciatica 👀
Here’s the difference 👇

👉 True sciatica
Comes from the lower back (usually a disc issue) where the sciatic nerve is irritated at the spine.

Pain often travels from the back ➡️ glute ➡️ all the way down the leg, sometimes into the foot.

You might also notice numbness, tingling, or weakness.

👉 Piriformis syndrome
Comes from a small muscle deep in your glute pressing on the nerve.

Pain is usually more local to the buttock, but can still refer down the leg.

Often worse with sitting, crossing legs, or after workouts.

💡 Key difference:
Sciatica = nerve irritation from the spine
Piriformis syndrome = nerve irritation in the glute

They can feel VERY similar, but the cause (and treatment) is different.

If you keep stretching your hamstrings and it’s not helping… you might be targeting the wrong problem.

Save this & send it to someone who says they have “sciatica” 🔥

🇬🇧💧 UK tap water contains very low levels of magnesium - with an average of only around 3-4 mg per litre. So even if you’re drinking plenty of water, you’re probably not getting enough magnesium to support optimal muscle function.
�🛁✨ My personal favourite way is through Epsom salt baths. A relaxing, skin-absorbing way to support magnesium intake while easing tired, tight muscles.

Obviously don’t completely stop drinking that would be a problem😅

Book your recovery session here ⬇️
www.resetbodyworks.co.uk/booking

Your lack of shoulder mobility isn’t random… 👀

This is me working on the teres major & teres minor — two small muscles that can cause BIG issues if they’re tight.

🎯 Located just under the back of your shoulder, near your armpit
🎯 They help control rotation + stability of your shoulder

When these get tight, you might feel:
•That “knot” in the back of your shoulder
• Pain when lifting your arm
• Stiffness during gym movements (especially pulling or overhead)

💆‍♂️ What I’m doing here:
•Slow, controlled pressure into the muscle
•Letting it release instead of forcing it
•Working right along that back-of-shoulder line

⚠️ Don’t just mash it — breathe, relax, and let the tissue soften.

If your shoulders feel tight or restricted, this could be the spot you’re missing.

Online booking available at www.resetbodyworks.co.uk/booking