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Staying Healthy
What’s that shoulder sound?
- By Heidi Godman, Executive Editor, Harvard Health Letter
Crunching, clicking, grinding, or popping sounds from the shoulder can be alarming. Here’s what to do about them.
It catches you off guard: a sudden crunch, pop, or click from your shoulder that you’ve never heard before. Is your shoulder sounding an alarm? Is it just normal aging? The answer depends on a number of factors.
About the shoulder
The shoulder is made up of three bones (the upper arm bone, collarbone, and shoulder blade) and many soft tissues (including muscles, ligaments, and tendons).
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About the Author
Heidi Godman, Executive Editor, Harvard Health Letter
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
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Healing Shoulder Pain: A troubleshooting guide for common shoulder problems
Up to 70% of people will experience shoulder pain at some point in their lives. Shoulder pain can be particularly vexing, because it makes it hard to sleep. But why is the shoulder so troublesome? The answer comes down to the shoulder’s unique structure, the constant demands we place on it throughout the day, and a variety of risk factors. This report will serve as your guide through shoulder repair and recovery and help you communicate more effectively with your doctor as you move through the process.
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