Squash · General information
Shoulder pain from squash: what helps, and when to get it checked
Leg injuries in squash often happen in one moment. Shoulder pain more often builds. The NHS says you can usually ease shoulder pain yourself, and to get medical help if it has not started to feel better after 2 weeks. It also says recovery can take 6 months or longer.[1] That is a range for shoulder pain in general, not a promise about your shoulder.
What people often notice
- An ache at the front or side of the shoulder, sometimes into the upper arm.
- Pain on a high swing, an overhead, or reaching up.
- Discomfort lying on that side.
A fast, repeated swing from a stretched position can load the shoulder. Sports Medicine Australia recommends coaching so technique matches the demands of the game.[2] Technique advice is not a diagnosis.
What the NHS suggests
Stay active and gently move the shoulder. The NHS says shoulder pain has usually been managed this way for about 2 weeks before it starts to ease, and that it can take much longer.[1] Use pain relief that is suitable for you so you can keep moving, and stop if the pain is sharp or is clearly worse the next day.
Strength work for the shoulder is common in physiotherapy. The sets, the load, and whether you should be doing it are decisions for someone who has assessed you. This page does not prescribe them.
- The pain is sudden or very bad, or you cannot move the arm.
- The arm or shoulder has changed shape or is badly swollen.
- Pins and needles do not go away, or there is no feeling in the arm or shoulder.
- The arm or shoulder is hot or cold to touch, the pain started after a fall, both shoulders become severely painful, or you feel feverish or unwell.
- Chest pain feels tight or squeezing, spreads to an arm, neck, or jaw, or comes with breathlessness, feeling sick, or sweating. The NHS lists those as heart-attack symptoms, not a muscle strain.
Frequently asked questions
Should I stop squash completely for shoulder pain?
Not always, but do not play through sharp pain. The NHS says to stay active and gently move the shoulder, and to get medical help if it has not started to feel better after 2 weeks.[1]
Is shoulder pain the same as tennis elbow?
No. Pain on the outer elbow is a different problem. Both can follow a tight grip and a lot of play, and both need their own assessment.
Shoulder been nagging for a while?
A virtual visit can look at how you move and what to change. This article is not that assessment.
Book a visitSources
Keep reading
This article is general education. It is not a diagnosis, a clinical review, or a treatment plan for you. A clinician who can assess you is the right person to decide what is safe. In an emergency, call 911.