Author: Mr Oliver Eaton BSc (Hons), PG.Cert – Orthopaedic Specialist
Reviewed by: Mr William Sharples BSc (Hons) – Pain Management Expert
Last Updated: September 2025

In this article, you will find out everything you need to know about collarbone pain and the most effective ways to treat it, including an advanced treatment called prolotherapy.

Collarbone Pain: Causes, Symptoms & Best Treatment Options

Table of Contents

• What is Collarbone Pain?
• Common Causes of Collarbone Pain
• Symptoms of Collarbone Pain
• Treatment Options for Collarbone Pain
  • Prolotherapy
  • Other Treatments
• Summary
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Contact ProHealth Clinic
• Author Bio
• References

What is Collarbone Pain?

The collarbone (clavicle) is a thin, curved bone connecting the upper sternum to the shoulder blade. It supports the shoulder, anchors muscles and ligaments, and helps transfer weight from the arm to the trunk. Collarbone pain can be sharp or dull, and is often confused with shoulder pain. Athletes are especially prone to collarbone injuries, but anyone can experience pain from trauma, arthritis, poor posture, or repetitive strain.

Common Causes of Collarbone Pain

• Arthritis: Osteoarthritis of the sternoclavicular (SC) or acromioclavicular (AC) joint can cause pain, stiffness, and inflammation. (1)
• AC Joint Separation: A fall on an outstretched hand can tear ligaments, separating the collarbone from the shoulder blade and causing pain and limited movement. (2)
• Bone Breaks and Fractures: Broken collarbones are common in falls, sports, or trauma. Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty moving the arm.
• Sleeping Position: Sleeping on one side can strain the collarbone and shoulder, leading to rotator cuff tears or tendon inflammation. Poor posture can also pinch nerves, causing pain and numbness. (3)
• Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Compression of nerves or blood vessels between the collarbone and first rib can cause pain, numbness, and weakness. Causes include poor posture, injury, obesity, congenital defects, repetitive stress, or carrying heavy bags. (4)
• Other Causes: Bone infection (osteomyelitis), cancer (rare), or referred pain from other areas (e.g., groin pain, neck injury).

Symptoms of Collarbone Pain

• Pain, swelling, or tenderness near the collarbone
• Stiffness or limited shoulder movement
• Clicking or grinding with movement
• Numbness or tingling (if nerves are involved)
• Visible deformity or bruising (in fractures or dislocations)

Sudden collarbone pain after a fall or accident may indicate a fracture or dislocation and can be a medical emergency. Thoracic outlet syndrome may cause arm weakness, numbness, or swelling. Infections or cancer may cause fever, chills, swelling, redness, or unexplained weight loss. Proper diagnosis is essential to distinguish collarbone pain from other conditions.

Treatment Options for Collarbone Pain

Prolotherapy

In recent years, Prolotherapy has built its reputation within the medical community for its clinically proven ability to treat collarbone pain.

Published research has proven its pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory and regenerative benefits.

Prolotherapy involves injecting a natural regenerative solution with tiny needles. This has been shown to stimulate the production of collagen cells, the small cells needed to repair the damage and help collarbone pain.

As prolotherapy is helping to treat the root cause of collarbone pain, it is deemed to be a permanent fix, preventing the symptoms from returning.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this section is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Prolotherapy may not be suitable for everyone, and outcomes can vary. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional regarding your specific medical condition or treatment options. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of information you have read here.

Other Treatments

• Medication: NSAIDs (ibuprofen), paracetamol, or topical gels can reduce pain and inflammation. Severe injuries may require prescription medication or surgery.
• Physiotherapy: Physical therapy helps restore movement, reduce pain, and strengthen shoulder muscles. Most collarbone fractures heal without surgery. (5)
• Lifestyle Changes: Avoid sleeping on the affected side, improve posture, and use ergonomic supports.
• Supportive Devices: Slings, braces, or taping may help stabilize the collarbone during healing.
• Surgery: Required for severe fractures, dislocations, or persistent pain not responding to conservative care.

Summary

Collarbone pain can result from injury, arthritis, poor posture, or nerve compression. Most cases improve with rest, medication, physiotherapy, and lifestyle changes. Prolotherapy offers a regenerative, long-term solution for persistent pain. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to recovery and preventing complications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can cause collarbone pain without injury?

Arthritis, bone infection, thoracic outlet syndrome, or poor posture can cause collarbone pain without trauma.

Can you pull a muscle in your collarbone?

Yes, muscle or tendon injuries around the shoulder can cause collarbone pain, especially with overuse or trauma.

Is there a lymph node by your collarbone?

Yes, supraclavicular lymph nodes are located just above the collarbone and can become swollen with infection or other conditions.

What does arthritis in the collarbone feel like?

Pain at the top of the shoulder, spreading to the neck, with possible clicking or limited movement, especially during exercise.

What is under your left collarbone?

The thoracic outlet (space between collarbone and first rib) contains nerves and blood vessels. Compression here causes thoracic outlet syndrome.

Contact ProHealth Clinic Today for Your FREE 15-Minute Discovery Call

Don’t let collarbone pain control your life any longer. Join the thousands of patients who have found lasting relief through prolotherapy at ProHealth Clinic.

Get in Touch

• Phone: +44 1234 380345
• Email: info@prohealthclinic.co.uk

Our Clinic Locations

• London: 104 Harley Street, Marylebone, W1G 7JD
• Manchester: The Hadley Clinic, 64 Bridge Street, M3 3BN
• Bedford: The Village Medical Centre, Kingswood Way, MK40 4GH

All clinics offer the same award-winning prolotherapy treatment with convenient appointment times, including evenings and weekends.

Author Bio

Having performed over 10,000 procedures, Mr Oliver Eaton is one of the UK’s leading practitioners in the field of treating collarbone pain, with patients travelling to see him from across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East.

With over 12 years of clinical experience, Oliver is dedicated to helping patients understand their symptoms associated with collarbone pain and providing effective treatment options to alleviate them.

He qualified in Prolozone Therapy and Prolotherapy in America with the American Academy of Ozonotherapy. He continued on to complete further qualifications at the Royal Society of Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital in London, Keele University’s Anatomy & Surgical Training Centre, and the medical department of Heidelberg University in Germany.

Over the years he has had the privilege of treating many elite-level athletes, including both Olympic and Commonwealth medallists.

Mr Eaton’s expertise has been featured in many national news and media publications, including The Telegraph, The Daily Mail, The Daily Express, Women’s Health Magazine, and The Scotsman.

Connect with Oliver Eaton on LinkedIn

References

1. 1. Lawrence, C. R., East, B., Rashid, A., & Tytherleigh-Strong, G. M. (2017). The prevalence of osteoarthritis of the sternoclavicular joint on computed tomography. J Shoulder Elbow Surg, 26(1), e18–e22. View Study
   2. Hintermann, B., & Gächter, A. (1995). Arthroscopic Findings After Shoulder Dislocation. Am J Sports Med, 23(5), 545–551. View Study
   3. Lee, W.-H., & Ko, M.-S. (2017). Effect of sleep posture on neck muscle activity. J Phys Ther Sci, 29(6), 1021–1024. View Study

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making treatment decisions.