Soreness of any muscle group the day after a workout is common. The tenderness may be a natural part of increasing the muscle mass in the shoulders. It may also be a symptom of a problem. Some basic first aid should help with pain management. If the shoulder pain does not subside, a doctor can examine you and look for damage to the area.
Muscle Basics
When you exercise a muscle group, such as the shoulders, you stress the tissue and cause minor damage. This is part of the process of increasing the size of a muscle. The body responds to the pressure by breaking down the damaged tissue and rebuilding it stronger. This is how you increase muscle mass. The restructuring of the shoulder muscles takes time, and this may be the source of the soreness. Pain from muscle overuse should feel dull and achy. The shoulders may be stiff and difficult to move. Ice or a heating pad can help reduce the pain until the muscles heal.
Tendinitis
Another possibility is that you damaged something other than muscle tissue. Tendons attach muscle tissue to the bony structures of the shoulder. Over-exertion or poor technique can lead to tears and irritation of one or more tendons. If this is the case, the pain will probably be more intense on one side. Applying ice to the area directly after the exercise will help to control the pain. Leave the ice in place for up to 20 minutes and reapply it several times throughout the day. Give the tendon time to recover before exercising again. If you find the pain is intense, consult your doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. The affected shoulder may require immobilization.
Bursitis
Between the bones in the shoulder joints is a fluid-filled pad that provides cushion. Bursitis is inflammation of this pad. The irritation may be a result of the exercise or it may be due to infection or stress on the tissue. As with tendinitis, you should feel pain more acutely on one side. Bursitis requires a medical exam to determine the cause of the swelling and irritation.
Illness
The exercise may have little to do with your pain. If after several days, the pain does not let up, see a doctor. Shoulder pain can be a symptom of pericarditis -- an infection in the heart -- or pneumothorax, a problem with the lungs. Both conditions are serious and possibly life-threatening. The discomfort could indicate nerve damage or arthritis, as well. Only your doctor can properly diagnose the problem and offer treatment options.
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