I had the same problem over the summer with a problem raising my shoulder. Turned out to be a severely strained supraspinatus, and for the first few days it can kill. Other than icing it, after about a week or 2 and pain and swelling begin to go away, begin simple ROM movements, the first one should be just your fingers climbing a wall, shoulder rotations and swings in an attempt to increase range of motion. After you’re able to regain full ROM you should begin focusing on strengthening with shoulder isolation movements, I found doing the supraspinatus pop can shaker was the best exercise I ever did.
Raise your arm to head height, 45 degrees away from your head, and turn your arm around so your thumb is pointed down, then begin going up and down slowly, 15 reps is a good start.
My left shoulder causes me problems as well - I had a doctor examine it and tell me it’s calcific tendonitis or something or other. he’s an on-campus “doctor” though and didn’t take any x-rays or even do much to the shoulder, so I’m not too keen on his diagnosis.
regardless, I have problems doing incline barbell bench and behind-the-head military presses, so I switched to incline dumbbells and arnolds and have been alright. I try to make sure to stretch it out a bit more when hitting the more shoulder intensive exercises.
maybe it just swells up when you work it out too much - I don’t know what the word is on using pain killers and working out, but ibuprofin is an anti-inflamitory medicine. maybe take it after your work out? check with the experts before doing that though
I had problems with my shoulders for a long time too and what it turned out to be was just muscle imbalances. If the pain is in the front of your shoulder and at the back it could be the culprit. Are your shoulders rounded forward?? If they are they could be pinching nerves etc. Best thing to do is ease off on the pressing movements and concentrate on your back and pulling your shoulders back. Try lying on your stomach with your elbows out and your head on your hands and pull your shoulders down and back and hold it. do that for reps a few times a day and it should help… did for me anyways.