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Shoulder Pain (Rotator Cuff, Tendonitis & Frozen Shoulder)

Shoulder pain is one of the most common physical complaints, and the rotator cuff tendons are a frequent cause. Most shoulder problems are tendon irritation or tears, frozen shoulder, arthritis or injury — but shoulder pain with chest pain, shortness of breath or sweating can be a heart attack and needs 911. Many problems improve with time, exercise and patient rehabilitation.

Call 911 right away if shoulder pain comes with chest pain, pressure or heaviness, shortness of breath, heavy sweating for no reason, nausea, light-headedness, or pain or discomfort spreading to the arms, back, neck or jaw. These can be signs of a heart attack, and pain in one or both shoulders is on the list of symptoms. Heart attack symptoms can start slowly, can be mild, and can come and go over several hours (NHLBI). Do not drive yourself; an ambulance is the best and safest way to get to the hospital (NHLBI).

Get urgent medical care for:

  • Sudden, very bad shoulder pain; an arm you cannot move or lift; or a shoulder that has changed shape or is badly swollen — especially after a fall, accident or heavy lift. The NHS in the UK says these can be signs of a broken or dislocated bone or a torn tendon (NHS). A dislocated shoulder is usually very painful and may look deformed, with swelling, numbness and weakness (AAOS OrthoInfo).
  • Fever or feeling unwell with a hot, swollen, red or very painful joint can be septic arthritis, a serious joint infection that needs urgent treatment, usually in the hospital (NHS).
  • Numbness, pins and needles that do not go away, or loss of feeling in the arm or shoulder, or severe pain in both shoulders (NHS).
  • Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, a drooping face, trouble speaking, confusion or trouble seeing can be a stroke — call 911 (NHLBI). See our stroke guide.

Never wait for a chiropractic, acupuncture or massage appointment, or try a magnet, wrap or home remedy first, if you have any of these signs.

How the shoulder works

The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint of three bones: the upper arm bone, shoulder blade and collarbone. The rotator cuff — four muscles whose tendons cover the top of the upper arm bone — holds the arm in the socket and helps you lift and rotate it, and a lubricating sac called a bursa lets the tendons glide under the bony tip of the shoulder (AAOS OrthoInfo). Your shoulders are the most movable joints in the body, which also makes them easy to injure (MedlinePlus).

Shoulder pain is one of the most common physical complaints, in people of all ages (AAOS OrthoInfo). Most shoulder problems are tendon inflammation or tears, instability, arthritis or fractures; tumors, infection and nerve problems are much less common (AAOS OrthoInfo). This guide also stands in for our “Rotator Cuff” topic; a separate MBHA Tendonitis guide is planned.

Rotator cuff tendinopathy, impingement and bursitis

The rotator cuff is a common cause of shoulder pain. The pain can come from tendinitis (inflamed tendons), bursitis (an inflamed bursa) or impingement, when the space between the top of the shoulder and the tendons narrows as you raise your arm and the bone rubs on the tendon and bursa (AAOS OrthoInfo). Most are wear-and-tear problems from repeating the same arm movements, especially reaching overhead (MedlinePlus).

  • Symptoms: pain and tenderness at the front or side of the shoulder, pain and stiffness when you reach overhead, and pain that is typically worst at night. Over time you can lose strength and motion (AAOS OrthoInfo).
  • Who is at risk: young athletes who throw, swim or serve overhead, and people in repetitive lifting or overhead jobs such as painting or construction; it can also start with a minor injury or no clear cause (AAOS OrthoInfo). See also our bursitis guide.

Rotator cuff tears

A partial tear goes part way through a tendon; a full-thickness tear detaches part or all of it from the upper arm bone. Almost 2 million people in the U.S. see a doctor for rotator cuff tears each year (AAOS OrthoInfo).

  • Two main causes. An injury — falling on an outstretched arm or lifting something too heavy with a jerk — or wear that builds slowly with age and overuse. Most tears are the wear type, so people over 40 are at greater risk (AAOS OrthoInfo). By age 80, most adults have tears (MedlinePlus).
  • Symptoms: pain at rest and at night (especially lying on that shoulder), pain when lifting or lowering the arm, weakness and sometimes a crackling feeling. A sudden tear usually causes intense pain, sometimes a snap, and immediate weakness in the upper arm (AAOS OrthoInfo).
  • A tear on a scan is not always the cause of your pain. Some tears cause no pain, and a wear-type tear in one shoulder makes one in the other shoulder more likely, even with no pain there. A tear can also grow if you keep using the shoulder despite increasing pain (AAOS OrthoInfo).

Biceps tendon tears

The biceps muscle attaches at the shoulder by two tendons, and the longer one is more often torn, from lifting something too heavy or from slow wear. Signs include sudden sharp pain in the upper arm, sometimes a pop or snap, bruising, weakness, and sometimes a bulge above the elbow (“Popeye muscle”). Because of the second attachment, most people can still use the muscle, and for most the pain goes away over time. Smoking and corticosteroid medicines can weaken tendons (AAOS OrthoInfo). A tear near the elbow is more likely to need surgery (AAOS OrthoInfo); see our elbow guide.

Frozen shoulder

In frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) the tissue capsule around the joint thickens and tightens, so the shoulder becomes painful and very hard to move — by you or by someone else. It most commonly affects people between 40 and 60 and is more common in women (AAOS OrthoInfo).

  • Three stages. Freezing (6 weeks to 9 months): more pain and less motion. Frozen (4 to 6 months): pain may ease but stiffness stays. Thawing (6 months to 2 years): motion slowly returns. Full recovery may take up to 3 years (AAOS OrthoInfo). The NHS says the pain and stiffness will usually go away eventually (NHS).
  • Who gets it: people with diabetes (more often, and with longer-lasting stiffness), thyroid conditions, Parkinson’s disease or heart disease, and after a shoulder has been held still because of surgery or injury; often the cause is unclear (AAOS OrthoInfo, NHS). See our diabetes and thyroid guides.

Arthritis of the shoulder

Wear-and-tear osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis after an injury or a large long-standing rotator cuff tear, and avascular necrosis (loss of blood supply to the top of the upper arm bone) can all affect the shoulder. Pain that worsens with activity, night pain, limited motion and grinding or clicking are typical (AAOS OrthoInfo). See our arthritis guide. Polymyalgia rheumatica can also cause aching and stiffness around the shoulders and neck, mostly in people over 65, with morning stiffness lasting longer than 45 minutes; a new headache, jaw pain when eating or vision problems with it need a doctor right away (NHS). An MBHA Polymyalgia guide is planned.

When the pain is not from the shoulder

A pinched nerve in the neck (cervical radiculopathy) can send pain into the shoulder and arm, with weakness and numbness (AAOS OrthoInfo); see our neck guide. Less often, shoulder pain is referred from organs in the abdomen: a 2022 scoping review, mostly of case reports, found abdominal pain was the most common warning sign alongside shoulder pain (Pennella et al., 2022). The heart can also send pain to the shoulder (NHLBI); see our heart guide.

How it is diagnosed

Your provider will ask how and when the pain began, press on the shoulder, check your motion and strength, and often examine your neck (AAOS OrthoInfo, AAOS OrthoInfo). X-rays show bone but not the rotator cuff, so they are often normal in rotator cuff pain and are used to rule out arthritis and other bone problems. MRI or ultrasound can show the tendons, though ultrasound depends on the skill of the person doing the scan (AAOS OrthoInfo). Frozen shoulder is diagnosed by exam; scans are not required but may find another problem such as a tear (AAOS OrthoInfo).

When to see a provider (not an emergency): the NHS says to get medical help if shoulder pain is getting worse, is not better after 2 weeks, or it is very difficult to move the arm; recovery can take 6 months or longer (NHS). If an activity bothers your shoulder, stop it and check with your provider — early treatment can keep a mild rotator cuff injury from becoming more serious. If your arm feels weak right after a sudden injury, see your provider as soon as possible (MedlinePlus).

Side by side

Six approaches compared

For every condition we look at the same six approaches: what each involves, what it typically costs, and what a patient can realistically expect.

ApproachWhat it involves Estimated costWhat to expect
Conventional medicine (AMA) Rest from what hurts, pain relievers (by class), physical therapy with stretching then strengthening, steroid injection if pain continues, and hydrodilatation for frozen shoulder. Surgery (tendon repair, joint release or replacement) is for selected cases. Medicare Part B covers medically necessary outpatient physical therapy: after the deductible you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount. Other costs: being researched. AAOS reports nonsurgical care relieves pain and improves function in about 80 to 85% of people with rotator cuff tears. Frozen shoulder can take up to 3 years. Large reviews found surgery for shoulder impingement no better than sham surgery.
Chiropractic Manual therapy such as joint mobilization or manipulation of the shoulder, upper back or neck, soft-tissue work and exercise. About $55 to $100 for a self-pay follow-up visit and $90 to $200 for a first visit, per The Pricer. Medicare covers only spinal adjustments for a subluxation. Evidence is low to moderate quality. One trial found manipulation added to usual care sped recovery; trials against sham treatment often show no difference. Get a possible tear, break or heart symptoms checked first.
Acupuncture Fine needles at acupuncture points, or dry needling of tight shoulder muscles, usually added to exercise or physical therapy. About $90 to $185 per follow-up visit paying cash, per The Pricer. Medicare covers acupuncture (including dry needling) only for chronic low back pain. An older Cochrane review found little evidence either way. Newer reviews of acupuncture or dry needling added to physical therapy report pain benefits, but the studies are mixed in quality.
Herbal medicine No herb or supplement is proven for rotator cuff or frozen shoulder problems. Turmeric and arnica gel are covered below. Cost estimate being researched. We found little research on herbs for shoulder pain, and what exists for tendon problems is poor quality. Tell your doctor about every product, especially before surgery or with blood thinners.
Massage therapy Hands-on work on the shoulder, neck and upper back muscles for tightness and comfort, alongside exercise. One national chain: about $125 to $160 for a 60-minute massage for non-members and about $65 to $90 for members, per The Pricer. Prices vary by location. NCCIH says massage may help shoulder pain, but benefits may last only a short time. We found no research showing it heals a tear. Avoid a hot, swollen or possibly broken shoulder.
MBHA Wellness Coach Daily habits that support recovery: keeping the shoulder moving, doing your prescribed exercises, posture and desk set-up, pacing activity, sleep and tobacco. Cost estimate being researched. Supports — never replaces — a diagnosis and rehabilitation. Shoulder recovery is slow, often months, and steady habits matter more than any one treatment.

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Conventional medicine (AMA)

Most shoulder problems are treated without surgery first. AAOS reports that nonsurgical treatment relieves pain and improves function in about 80 to 85% of people with a rotator cuff tear (AAOS OrthoInfo), and for tendinitis and impingement many people improve gradually over weeks to months (AAOS OrthoInfo).

First steps at home

  • Keep gently moving. The NHS advises staying active, doing shoulder exercises for 6 to 8 weeks to stop pain returning, and not stopping use of the shoulder completely, which can slow recovery; it advises against making up strenuous exercises or using heavy gym equipment (NHS). Avoid activities that cause shoulder pain (AAOS OrthoInfo).
  • Heat or cold. The NHS suggests a wrapped pack of frozen peas or a wrapped hot water bottle for up to 20 minutes at a time (NHS).
  • Pain relievers (by class). NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen reduce pain and swelling (AAOS OrthoInfo); the NHS suggests paracetamol (acetaminophen) first for frozen shoulder (NHS). NSAIDs can irritate the stomach lining and cause internal bleeding, so take them with food and check with your doctor if you have had ulcers or take a blood thinner (AAOS OrthoInfo). We don’t list doses.

Physical therapy and exercise

A physical therapist first works on restoring motion, then adds rotator cuff strengthening and posture work (AAOS OrthoInfo); for frozen shoulder, flexibility-focused therapy is the main recommendation (AAOS OrthoInfo). What do studies say?

  • Reviews are supportive of exercise for rotator cuff tendinopathy, though few studies exist (Littlewood et al., 2012). For impingement, one review rated the evidence very low quality but said exercise should be considered, with tape, shock-wave, laser or manual therapy possibly added (Steuri et al., 2017). A 2025 physical therapy guideline covers rotator cuff tendinopathy (Desmeules et al., 2025); we read only its abstract.
  • A Cochrane review (60 trials) found one high-quality trial of manual therapy plus exercise against an inactive placebo with no clinically important difference; side effects were more frequent than with placebo but mild (short-term pain). It found low-quality evidence that exercise and manual therapy may be similar to steroid injection and to subacromial decompression surgery (Page et al., 2016).
  • A 2024 meta-analysis of 16 trials of shock-wave therapy found better pain relief and function than control groups, but called the evidence limited (Xue et al., 2024). For other electrotherapy, a Cochrane review found low-quality evidence of short-term benefit from therapeutic ultrasound in calcific tendinitis and from low-level laser, but none for pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (Page et al., 2016).

Injections (categories, benefits and risks)

  • Corticosteroid (cortisone) shots are used if rest, medicine and therapy do not help. AAOS says they do not work for everyone; on average they relieve pain in about two-thirds of people for at least 3 months, and repeated long-term injections carry risks (AAOS OrthoInfo). Possible downsides: a pain “flare” for 1 to 2 days, temporarily higher blood sugar in people with diabetes, a very small infection risk, and cartilage damage over time. Doctors often set a practical yearly limit on the number of shots, and AAOS says a cortisone shot should generally not be used for tendinitis because it can increase the chance of a tendon rupture, especially in biceps, patellar and Achilles tendons (AAOS OrthoInfo). AAOS’s shoulder pages still list a steroid shot as an option for rotator cuff tendinitis, so ask your doctor how this applies to you.
  • Frozen shoulder. A 2020 review of 65 studies found only steroid injection into the joint clearly beat other treatments for short-term pain and function; adding a home exercise program added benefit later (Challoumas et al., 2020). A Cochrane review found manual therapy plus exercise gave less improvement than a steroid shot at 7 weeks, with differences no longer clinically important by 6 and 12 months (Page et al., 2014). Hydrodilatation — injecting a large volume of sterile fluid under imaging to stretch the joint capsule — is another option if other methods fail (AAOS OrthoInfo).
  • Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem-cell shots are other injections a provider may consider (AAOS OrthoInfo). A 2021 review of 8 trials found PRP safe and effective for long-term pain and function in rotator cuff disease, though methods and comparison groups varied widely (A Hamid et al., 2021). Joint lubricant shots, used for knee arthritis, have not been shown to work in shoulder arthritis and are not recommended (AAOS OrthoInfo).

Surgery

  • Rotator cuff tears. AAOS says surgery may be offered when pain does not improve with nonsurgical care; other signs include symptoms lasting 6 to 12 months, a large tear (over 3 cm) with good tissue, significant weakness, or a recent injury. Most repairs are arthroscopic, often as same-day surgery. Recovery: a sling for about 4 to 6 weeks, then guided exercise, strengthening from 8 to 12 weeks, and functional motion and strength by 4 to 6 months. Risks include nerve injury, infection, stiffness and re-tear; results are less likely to be satisfactory with poor tissue, large tears, age over 65, smoking or not following rehabilitation (AAOS OrthoInfo, AAOS OrthoInfo). A Cochrane review of 9 trials was uncertain whether repair gives meaningful benefit over exercise (with or without steroid shots) for mostly small degenerative tears; it may not apply to traumatic tears, large tears or young people (Karjalainen et al., 2019).
  • Impingement surgery (subacromial decompression). AAOS describes trimming the bursa and bone spurs when nonsurgical care fails (AAOS OrthoInfo). But a Cochrane review found high-certainty evidence that, compared with placebo surgery, it gives no improvement in pain, function or quality of life up to a year (Karjalainen et al., 2019), and an international BMJ guideline panel made a strong recommendation against it for long-lasting shoulder pain without injury (Vandvik et al., 2019). Experts disagree, so ask a surgeon why they recommend it for you.
  • Other surgery. Frozen shoulder: manipulation under anesthesia and/or arthroscopic release if therapy fails, usually in the “frozen” stage (AAOS OrthoInfo). Shoulder arthritis: arthroscopic clean-out for mild cases or shoulder replacement (partial, total or reverse) for advanced cases (AAOS OrthoInfo). Biceps tendon tears rarely need surgery (AAOS OrthoInfo).

What it costs

Physical therapy: cost estimate being researched. Medicare Part B covers medically necessary outpatient PT; you pay 20% of the approved amount after the deductible (Medicare.gov). Office visits, imaging, injections and surgery: MBHA cost estimate being researched.

Find a medical doctor in our directory

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Chiropractic

Some chiropractors treat shoulder pain with joint mobilization or manipulation of the shoulder, upper back (thoracic spine) or neck, soft-tissue work and exercise. This is a field where the studies are modest in size and quality.

What the research says

  • A 2017 systematic review written largely by chiropractic researchers (25 reviews and 44 trials) found low- to moderate-quality evidence supporting manual therapies for impingement, rotator cuff disorders, frozen shoulder and nonspecific shoulder pain (Hawk et al., 2017).
  • In a Dutch trial of 150 people, adding up to 6 manipulative-therapy sessions to usual medical care raised full recovery at 12 weeks to 43%, versus 21% with usual care alone, with a similar gap at 52 weeks; the authors noted a small sample and subjective end points (Bergman et al., 2004).
  • Reviews that look at thrust (quick, high-velocity) manipulation are less encouraging. All six studies of thrust manipulation for shoulder conditions involved impingement; pain dropped in every study, but three of the four randomized trials compared it with sham treatment and found no significant difference between groups, and the authors judged the evidence limited (Minkalis et al., 2017). A 2025 review of thoracic (mid-back) thrust manipulation for upper-body pain, based on very low to low quality evidence, found it more effective than general conservative therapy for shoulder pain, but not more effective than sham manipulation (Thoomes et al., 2025).
  • For rotator cuff disease, a Cochrane review found little or no difference between manual therapy alone and placebo (Page et al., 2016).

Safety

Mild soreness, stiffness or headache after manipulation is common and usually passes within 24 hours. Serious problems are very rare. A neck-focused type of manipulation has been linked to rare tears in neck arteries that can lead to a stroke, though experts disagree on whether manipulation causes them (NCCIH); see our stroke guide. MBHA suggests that any possible tendon tear, dislocation or fracture be examined by a medical provider before hands-on treatment, and that anyone with chest symptoms call 911 instead.

What it costs

The Pricer lists about $55 to $100 for a self-pay follow-up visit and about $90 to $200 for a first visit (The Pricer). Medicare Part B covers only spinal adjustments by a chiropractor to correct a subluxation (Medicare.gov).

Find a chiropractor in our directory

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Acupuncture

Acupuncture uses fine needles at specific points. Dry needling, often done by physical therapists, places needles into tight, tender spots in muscles.

What the research says

  • Cochrane review (2005): nine trials of varying quality. The authors concluded there was little evidence to support or refute acupuncture for shoulder pain, though there may be short-term benefit for pain and function, and called for better trials (Green et al., 2005).
  • Frozen shoulder: a 2024 meta-analysis of 13 studies found acupuncture plus physical therapy reduced pain and improved motion more than physical therapy alone, with considerable variation between studies (Xu et al., 2024).
  • Dry needling: a 2023 meta-analysis of 8 trials (538 people) found dry needling added to other conservative care reduced pain and disability more than conservative care alone in subacromial pain syndrome; 4 of the 8 trials had unclear or high risk of bias (Griswold et al., 2023).
  • Chronic pain overall: an analysis of 39 trials with adequate allocation concealment, covering four chronic pain conditions, shoulder pain among them, found acupuncture beat no acupuncture and, by a smaller margin, sham acupuncture; the authors said effects cannot be explained by placebo alone (Vickers et al., 2018). NCCIH notes that part of acupuncture’s benefit comes from nonspecific effects such as belief in the treatment (NCCIH).

Safety

Relatively few complications are reported; they have come from non-sterile needles and improper treatment, and the FDA requires sterile, single-use needles (NCCIH). MBHA suggests telling your practitioner about any blood thinner and where you have numbness or weakness. Acupuncture is not a substitute for an exam if you may have torn a tendon.

What it costs

The Pricer lists about $90 to $185 per follow-up visit, up to about $230 for a first private visit, and community acupuncture around $50 to $90 (The Pricer). Medicare Part B covers acupuncture, including dry needling, only for chronic low back pain (Medicare.gov).

Find an acupuncturist in our directory

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Herbal medicine

We found no herb or supplement shown to heal a rotator cuff tear, resolve frozen shoulder or replace exercise, and we found little research on herbal remedies for shoulder pain.

Supplements for tendon problems

A systematic review of nutraceuticals used for tendon problems (including glucosamine and chondroitin, collagen, bromelain, curcumin and boswellic acid) found encouraging preclinical results but few clinical studies, of poor quality, often testing several products at once, so it could not make recommendations (Fusini et al., 2016). AAOS adds that little scientific evidence supports glucosamine and chondroitin for arthritis, the FDA does not test dietary supplements, and they may interact with other medicines (AAOS OrthoInfo).

Turmeric

The turmeric research NCCIH summarizes is on fatty liver disease, osteoarthritis (mostly the knee) and cholesterol, not shoulder tendons. NCCIH says we do not know enough to conclude it helps any health purpose, and that highly absorbable curcumin products may harm the liver (stop and call your provider if you have fatigue, nausea, dark urine or jaundice) (NCCIH).

Arnica gel

Some small trials suggest topical arnica may help osteoarthritis, but one small study found it increased pain after calf exercises, and its listed uses (bruises, sprains, muscle pain, osteoarthritis) do not specifically mention shoulder tendon problems. It can irritate the skin, should not be used if you are allergic to sunflowers, marigolds or ragweed, and may raise bleeding risk with warfarin (Memorial Sloan Kettering).

Herbs and your other medicines

Ginkgo taken with warfarin is linked to a higher risk of major bleeding, and St. John’s wort has an overall high risk of drug interactions (NCCIH). If you are having shoulder surgery, certain supplements can increase bleeding or affect anesthesia, so tell your care team about everything you take well ahead of time (NCCIH). Also see our medication safety guide.

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Massage therapy

Massage can ease tight muscles in the shoulder, neck and upper back and may help you relax and move more comfortably. We found no research showing that massage heals a torn tendon.

What the research says

  • NCCIH says massage therapy may be helpful for neck or shoulder pain, but the benefits may last only a short time (NCCIH).
  • The review NCCIH cites pooled 12 trials: massage gave immediate and short-term pain relief for shoulder pain compared with inactive treatments, was not better than other active therapies, and did not significantly improve shoulder function (Kong et al., 2013).

Safety and cost

The risk of harm from massage appears low, but rare serious problems — a blood clot, nerve injury or broken bone — have been reported, some with vigorous deep-tissue work or in older adults (NCCIH). MBHA suggests skipping massage on a shoulder that is hot, red and swollen, deformed after an injury, or not yet examined after a fall. Prices vary by location. At one national chain, franchise price lists show about $125 to $160 for a 60-minute massage for non-members and about $65 to $90 for members, whose memberships run about $70 to $90 a month (The Pricer). Tips are extra.

Find a massage therapist in our directory

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MBHA Wellness Coach

Shoulder problems usually improve through small things done every day. An MBHA Wellness Coach can help you build those habits, alongside — never instead of — your medical care.

Another approach

Gentle exercises

These are stretches AAOS describes for frozen shoulder and rotator cuff recovery. AAOS is clear that you should not attempt shoulder exercises without first consulting your doctor or physical therapist (AAOS OrthoInfo), because the right exercises depend on your diagnosis. Stop if something causes sharp pain.

  • Pendulum. Lean forward with one hand on a counter, let the other arm hang, and gently swing it forward and back, side to side, then in a small circle; do not round your back or lock your knees (AAOS OrthoInfo).
  • Crossover arm stretch. Gently pull one arm across your chest, just below your chin, as far as you can without pain, and hold for 30 seconds (AAOS OrthoInfo).
  • Doorway rotation. Stand in a doorway, elbow bent to 90 degrees, hand against the door frame; keep the hand in place and turn your body away, holding for 30 seconds (AAOS OrthoInfo).
  • Lying forward lift. Lie on your back and use your good arm to lift the sore arm overhead until you feel a gentle stretch, holding for 15 seconds (AAOS OrthoInfo).

AAOS suggests a 5 to 10 minute low-impact warm-up, stretching before strengthening, and a conditioning program of 4 to 6 weeks, then 2 to 3 days a week to maintain strength; you should not feel pain during an exercise (AAOS OrthoInfo).

Another approach

Magnets, wraps and other devices

MBHA hears from people who use hand-held magnetic devices and wraps on sore shoulders and tendons (see the personal experience below). Here is what the research says, so you can weigh it for yourself.

  • Static magnets: a 2007 systematic review of placebo-controlled trials of static magnets for pain from any cause found no significant difference in pain reduction and concluded the evidence does not support them, while noting the evidence for osteoarthritis was insufficient to rule out a benefit (Pittler et al., 2007).
  • Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy is a different, powered device. For rotator cuff disease, Cochrane found only single, small trials, with no clinically important benefit over placebo and low-quality evidence (Page et al., 2016).
  • We found little research on hand-held magnetic devices for tendon tears specifically. MBHA makes no claim that any product treats a tendon injury, and none should delay an exam for a possible tear.
  • Magnets can interfere with pacemakers and insulin pumps — see our magnet tolerance guide and pacemakers, pumps and ventilators guide before using one.

Slings are used for short periods: a doctor may recommend one briefly after a biceps tendon tear (AAOS OrthoInfo) or for several weeks after rotator cuff repair (AAOS OrthoInfo), but staying completely still is not the goal for most shoulder problems (NHS).

In their own words

Wellness and lifestyle testimonials

Please read first. This is one person’s personal experience, not medical advice. MBHA makes no medical claims and does not claim any product treats a tendon injury. A possible tendon tear needs an exam. If your pain follows a fall or a heavy lift, or you cannot raise your arm, get it checked. Magnets can interfere with pacemakers and insulin pumps — ask your doctor first if you use one.

A musician who partly tore a biceps tendon moving heavy equipment told us he used a hand-held magnetic device for short sessions several times a day plus a wrap for two weeks, and felt his function return quickly.

— Name withheld

Shared with first names only. Lightly edited for length and spelling.

Member stories

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This page is for education only and is not medical advice. Costs are typical U.S. ranges and estimates; yours will depend on your provider, location and insurance. Talk with your doctor before starting, stopping or combining any treatment. In an emergency, call 911. See our disclaimer.

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