Can't Reach Behind Your Back? Here's What It Means and What to Do
Updated October 20261 minute read
Difficulty reaching behind your back — to tuck in a shirt, hook a bra, or grab a wallet — usually signals lost shoulder rotation, most often from frozen shoulder or rotator cuff irritation. It's rarely an emergency, but frozen shoulder in particular benefits from early, well-dosed physical therapy. If the stiffness is progressing or pain is significant, get it assessed sooner rather than later.
What this usually means
Most likely causes. Frozen shoulder (which limits motion in every direction, including reaching behind) and rotator cuff irritation are the leading causes. Less common causes. Shoulder arthritis or a prior injury that left the joint stiff can also limit this motion.
What you can try at home
Keep the shoulder gently moving within comfort rather than avoiding the motion entirely, which can worsen stiffness. Gentle, pain-respecting mobility done regularly helps. Because frozen shoulder responds best to properly dosed treatment, early guidance is valuable.
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Tell us what you're dealing with and where you are. We'll send you cash-pay PTs nearby who focus on it, with their prices and first openings. You choose; we don't give medical advice.
We check two or three cash-pay PTs near you. We reply within 1 business day with next steps.
When to see a physical therapist
If reaching behind your back is getting harder or is paired with pain, a PT can identify whether it's frozen shoulder or cuff-related and tailor treatment.
Red flags — don't wait
Seek care for sudden inability to move the arm after trauma, a hot feverish joint, or arm pain with chest symptoms (emergency).
Already seen a doctor, or have imaging? Request a match — free.
If a doctor has checked you out and physical therapy is an option, tell us where you are. We'll send you cash-pay PTs nearby who treat this, with their prices and first openings — bring your results to the first visit. You choose; we don't give medical advice.
We check two or three cash-pay PTs near you. We reply within 1 business day with next steps.
How a PT treats this
Treatment uses graded mobility matched to how irritable the shoulder is, progressing to strengthening as motion returns.
Frequently asked questions
Usually lost internal rotation from frozen shoulder or cuff irritation.
Sources (5)
- Kelley MJ, et al. Shoulder Pain and Mobility Deficits: Adhesive Capsulitis. Clinical practice guideline. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2013. — JOSPT
- AAOS OrthoInfo: Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis). — AAOS OrthoInfo
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Frozen shoulder. — NIH/MedlinePlus
- Page MJ, et al. Manual therapy and exercise for adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder). Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014. — Cochrane
- Challoumas D, et al. Comparison of Treatments for Frozen Shoulder: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open. 2020. — JAMA Netw Open
This article is for education only and isn't medical advice. Always talk to a licensed clinician about your specific situation.