Pulling up pants is a simple and everyday task that most people do without thinking.
However, pulling up their pants can be a painful and challenging experience for some people. A strain or injury typically causes this type of pain to the shoulder and upper back muscles, which can occur due to sudden trauma or gradual overuse.
This article will explore the causes of pain when pulling up pants.
By knowing what causes this type of pain, you can take steps to avoid it, or manage it and keep your shoulders healthy and pain-free.
Why Does My Shoulder Hurt When I Pull Up My Pants?
Pain while pulling up pants may likely be linked to shoulder impingement syndrome.
While there might not be concrete studies, the science behind this conclusion can be based on what we know about a specific gym workout.
Here’s why:
“Dumbbell Upright Rows” is an exercise that involves pulling a set of dumbbells from below the waist upwards, towards the ears. It is a shoulder exercise.
While it is true that this exercise involves bringing the dumbbells near the ears (which is not the case when we pull our pants), the movement is actually quite similar.
Also, we’re not implying that pants carry the same weight as dumbbells in the gym. We’re strictly talking about the movement here.
Nevertheless, many people struggle with this exercise. Various tips on the internet try to explain how to do it correctly and not hurt your shoulders. It seems to be a particularly painful exercise for some people.
Concrete studies have reported the reason behind the pain.
“The combination of repetitive loading while in a biomechanically unfavorable position, as seen with upright rows, may lead to or perpetuate shoulder impingement syndrome.”
In other words, this type of movement (albeit with weights) can cause or worsen shoulder impingement syndrome.
However, shoulder impingement syndrome caused by pulling up pants is not really a feasible thought. Meanwhile, there is a chance that you might already have a mild case of shoulder impingement, and this type of movement simply makes the pain worse.
So, if you’re experiencing shoulder pain only when pulling up your pants, you might have a very isolated and mild case of shoulder impingement syndrome present.
What Is Shoulder Impingement Syndrome?
Shoulder impingement is a widespread cause of shoulder pain. This happens when a tendon (a band of tissue) in your shoulder rubs or gets caught on nearby tissue and bone when you lift your arm.
It affects the rotator cuff tendon, which is the stretchy tissue that connects your shoulder muscles to the top of your arm.
When you do the right shoulder exercises, your impinging shoulder will often get better in some weeks or months. Still, sometimes it can be a problem that keeps coming back.
Other Symptoms Of Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
Shoulder impingement can suddenly come from nowhere (with a symptom such as pain when pulling up pants) or develop gradually.
Some of the other signs are:
- Pain on the top and outside of your shoulder, especially when you lift your arm above your head.
- Pain or aching at night, which could make it hard to sleep.
- Weakness in your arm.
When To Get Medical Help
You should see a doctor if your shoulder pain doesn't go away after a few weeks or if it keeps you from doing the things you usually do.
Doctors will look at your shoulder and ask you to move your arm in different directions to see how easily you can move it and if movement worsens the pain.
They may suggest treatments you can try or send you to a physical therapist for treatment advice. You likely won't need to go to the hospital for scans.
Takeaway
The shoulder pain you might feel when pulling up your pants may not be that surprising. Science says that this type of movement is kind of unfavorable for the shoulder joint itself.
However, a healthy shoulder will not cause pain, even if the movement is unfavorable.
This makes us think that if your shoulder hurts when you pull up your pants, you might have a mild case of shoulder impingement syndrome that is very isolated.
There is a chance this might progress; however, there is also a chance that it might go away on its own and never come back.
Keeping an eye on it would be our best advice here.
