Why does my shoulder hurt when doing pull-ups?
Jul 14, 2021
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Xin
Introduction
Shoulder pain during pull-ups is primarily attributed to excessive exercise intensity or improper force application during training, leading to localized soft tissue strain. Additionally, incorrect technique may contribute to this issue—specifically, excessive stretching of local muscles and fascia, which elongates the fascia. This typically does not cause acute injury but may result in localized microtrauma.
Why does shoulder pain occur during pull-ups? Shoulder pain during pull-ups is primarily attributed to excessive exercise intensity or improper technique—such as using incorrect form or applying excessive force—leading to strain of local soft tissues.
Additionally, incorrect movement patterns may contribute significantly. These improper motions cause overstretching of local muscles and fascia, resulting in fascial elongation. While such overstretching typically does not cause acute injury, under conditions of substantial external force or excessive body weight, it may lead to localized tissue damage—including fascial tears, tendon injuries, and other forms of microtrauma—all of which can result in shoulder pain following pull-up exercises.
In particular, rotator cuff injuries are common and are often mistaken for adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder). If such symptoms arise, it is advisable to consult a healthcare provider and undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the shoulder joint to accurately differentiate between adhesive capsulitis and rotator cuff injury.
