4 Tests to Differentiate Shoulder Impingement and AC Joint Dysfunction

Shoulder pain tests will tell you two important things. First, you’ll learn what type of shoulder injury you have. Second, that will tell you what exercises you can do to recover.

Coach E will demonstrate four tests for shoulder pain that tell you whether you might be suffering from a type of shoulder impingement or an AC joint dysfunction. You can perform each of these tests by yourself. You won’t need a physical therapist or even a buddy to assist you.

It begins with a progression eliminating shoulder impingement (including rotator cuff tendonitis and bursitis) and moves to confirming AC joint dysfunction.

Once you know what you’re dealing with, you can safely start rehab exercises for pain relief, knowing that you won’t be inadvertently injuring a different part of your shoulder.

The good news is that many shoulder injuries can be repaired by changing how you load the joint and waking up sleepy muscles that aren’t doing their jobs. After performing the shoulder pain tests, check out the links below to get started with exercises that will help alleviate the pain for good.

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IN THIS VIDEO

00:00 - Intro
01:18 - Hawkins Self Test
01:57 - Painful Arc Test
03:14 - Horizontal Adduction Test
03:55 - AC Joint Distraction (Bad Cop) Test
05:05 - Next Steps and Recommendations

RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED

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The medical information on any/all of our content is provided as an information resource only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information does not create any patient-physician relationship, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment. Please consult your health care provider before making any health care decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition.

[PrecisionMovementCoach]

IN THIS VIDEO

00:00 - Intro
01:18 - Hawkins Self Test
01:57 - Painful Arc Test
03:14 - Horizontal Adduction Test
03:55 - AC Joint Distraction (Bad Cop) Test
05:05 - Next Steps and Recommendations

[davidf]

Been researching shoulder issues for almost 2 years and this is the best BY FAR that I have come across ! Great - thanks a lot !

[chandra]

best tips from hundreds of youtube that I have watched, thank​ you

[MrMusic-objj]

Absolutely right.. I have impingement that my doctor confirmed by an MRI and everything. And these tests are additional confirmation.

[seriouslyawesomegirls]

thank you so much. I have been suffering from shoulder pain for the last 6 months but my chiropractor said its impingement but could not help me at all. Now from your video test I think its ac joint injury - finally I will be relieved of pain- can't thank you enough!!

[Flirrwitty]

Amazing! Here a summary for me and others:

1. (modified) Hawkins Test | Pain -> Impingement / Rotatorcuff issue
2. Painful Arch (Lateral Abduction) | Pain between 45°-120° -> Impingement, above -> AC-Joint
3. Horizontal Adduction | Pain -> AC-Joint Dysfuntion
4. Distraction Test/ Bad Cop Test | Pain -> AC-Joint (Impingement symptoms should be relieved here)

Thanks a lot for the great informative and helpful Video!

[karinamorado]

Thank you so much!! I did these tests and apparently failed all the a.c. joint ones😭😭 but im relieved to find out what i have now. So clear and concise, great job

[awesometv]

I did this test i have no pain but i have a discomfort in my left shoulder! Grinding, crackling sound!!😅

[ultimate]

Mr.Wong I want to thank you for your video.It finally brought to my knowledge what I am experiencing in my shoulder.I didnt want to to exercises that could have potentially aggravated my condition.This is the first time Ive experienced such pain and discomfort in my shoulder.Now I know it is serious impingement.I cant even raise my arm sideways 5 inches without bad pain.

[sgtrock]

Thanx man. I performed all the tests with you. Impingement. Distinct pain during the Hawkins test but zero pain in all the other tests. Once in a while a youtuber knows his shyt. Thanks again.

[jeffdiedrich]

I'm glad I performed the tests you showed in this video. Years ago I separated my left a/c joint in a motorcycle wreck(high side) and the shoulder is giving me a lot of trouble for about a month. It seems that my current problem is impingement. Thanks for making it more easy to describe to my doctor.

[HairToThePie]

By far the best group of tests I have found. The explanation of pain between here and here was bang on for me. Thank you very much for this information .

[georgeschroepfer]

Clear easy to follow descriptions, Eric I think you'd make an excellent teacher.

[ChrischrosBelgium]

3 out of 4 for ac/ My suspision was confirmed!! Thank you. Now i'm going to do your excercises for a couple of days and see what happens. I'll report back.

[Southern_Scenery]

This what I have. I also have numbness in my back shoulder blade area and down the arm. Stiffness in both shoulders.
Thank you so much.

[carlw]

Good tests, thanks. I got first place in the impingement category. :(

[othman]

Hey Eric
I have been experiencing right shoulder pain for like 7 months . I did your tests and I didn't really feel any pain. My shoulder pain occurs mostly in this exercises: lateral rises, triceps cable pulldown, push ups, bench press . I feel the pain in the area between my shoulder and my triceps.
It can be sharp pain for a moment when I do sudden moves with my hand .

[fortyoneshades]

Wow! Searching the web for hours. Thought I had shoulder impingement. Your tests show it's AC joint dysfunction. Now to figure out what that is exactly and how to treat it. Thanks!!!

[ibn-khaldun-al-hadrami]

hold on a second. This man just gave me my cure. I tried the ac joint distraction test, and I instantly felt my impingement get better. Holy God. Thank You so much. You're

[darioblancaflor]

Thanks for your videos man, last month im suffering shoulder pain but thanks to u its finally recovered 🥰🥰

Have a good day sir 😊