Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) of the shoulder are a reality for millions of workers, whether they are in industry, the medical-social sector, or even behind a desk. Pain, inflammation, discomfort at work or at night... These symptoms can become long-term if nothing is done. However, there are simple and effective solutions to prevent shoulder MSDs at the first signs. In this article, find out why the shoulder is so vulnerable, what steps to take, and how to improve your daily life through better organization and professional support.
What is a shoulder MSD?
Musculoskeletal disorders(MSDs) are pains or inflammations that affect the muscles, tendons, or joints. And the shoulder ison the front line: repetitive movements, arms raised too often, stress... It takes a beating.
These are pains that set in, that interfere with work... and sometimes alsoat night, at rest, or in everyday life.
In France,30% of recognized MSDs affect the shoulder(Ameli, 2024).
A common problem... but still poorly understood
Every year, MSDs accountfor nearly 9 out of 10 occupational illnesses. And they continue to increase.
Certain professions are more exposed:
- In the metalworking industry,79%of occupational illnesses are MSDs.
- In the health and medical-social sector, this figure rises to94%, with millions of working days lost.
(Ameli, 2025)
But this is not limited to physical occupations:shoulder pain also affects office workers, teachers, delivery personnel, caregivers, etc.
Good news: even though these pains are common,effective action can be takenat the first signs.
Why does the shoulder hurt?
The shoulder is a highly mobile joint... but also fragile.
MSDs occur when the following factors are combined:
- repeated movements(grasping, lifting, screwing, etc.),
- arm-raising efforts,
- postures held for too long(arms in the air, shoulders tense),
- stress(yes, the body also absorbs what we don't say...).
These situations strain the tendons, irritate the joints, and cause progressive inflammation.
Prevention is possible (and often simple!)
Even though some factors are beyond our control,many things can be easily improved, both at home and at work.
1. We start with small gestures
- Alternate positions and tasks whenever possible
- Warm up every day as you would for sports
- Take30-second micro-breaks every 30 minutes.
- Stretch your shoulders, relax your neck, breathe deeply
These simple habits improve the quality of your professional and personal life.
2. Rethinking how things are organized
A lot of pain develops due topoor workstation organization or pace.
- Could you do things differently?
- Is the equipment positioned correctly?
- Do you have time to take breaks?
Simple ergonomic solutions exist, and sometimes evena minor adjustmentcan make a big difference.
- Equip yourself with the right tools: ergonomic mouse , telescopic hedge trimmers/paint rollers, etc.
- Raise a screen that is too low, adjust your seat
- Avoid carrying loads at arm's length
3. Talk about it and seek support
Talking about painis not an admission of weakness; it is an act of prevention.
- Your occupational physician may suggest an adjustment or adaptation.
- Your primary care physician will assist you with diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, with the help of rheumatologists, sports physicians, and surgeons if necessary.
- Appropriate care provided by healthcare professionals (physical therapy, osteopathy, etc.) helps you rebalance joint and muscle tension. They also guide you in performing the correct movements.
- You can also participate in group activities supervised by ergonomists or trained staff (workshops on movements and postures, awareness campaigns, etc.).
- Using an ergonomic shoulder cushion helps relieve joint and muscle tension in the shoulder and neck area.
The key message to remember:you are not alone, and this is not irreversible.
In summary: Shoulder pain should not be trivialized.
They arecommon, often work-related, but largely preventable or treatable.
By taking action at the first signs, you have a good chance ofpreserving your health, your comfort... and your sleep!
References
- Health Insurance – Ameli.fr (2024)
“MSDs account for 87% of recognized occupational illnesses”
→ Link: https://www.ameli.fr/savoie/assure/sante/themes/tms/comprendre-troubles-musculosquelettiques
- Health Insurance – MSDs by sector (2025)
“94% in medical-social services, 79% in metallurgy”
→ Link: https://www.ameli.fr/savoie/entreprise/sante-travail/risques/troubles-musculosquelettiques-tms
- Ameli – Shoulder pain (2024)
“30% of MSDs affect the shoulder”
→ Link: https://www.ameli.fr/savoie/assure/sante/themes/epaule-douloureuse/definition-causes-facteurs-favorisants
- INRS (2024)
“Prevention of MSDs – a 4-step approach”
→ Link: https://www.inrs.fr/risques/tms-troubles-musculosquelettiques/prevention.html
- Ameli – MSDs and Prevention (2025)
“Alternating tasks, taking breaks, ergonomics: good habits”
→ Link: https://www.ameli.fr/savoie/assure/sante/themes/epaule-douloureuse/prevention & https://www.ameli.fr/savoie/assure/sante/themes/tms/prevention