It's usually best to avoid using a sling. Do not stop moving your arm completely – try to carry on with your normal daily activities as much as possible so your shoulder does not become weak or stiff.Ask a GP or physiotherapist when you can restart these activities. Avoid things that make the pain worse – avoid activities that involve repeatedly lifting your arm above your head (such as swimming or playing tennis) for a few days or weeks.Read about finding a physiotherapist Things you can do if you have shoulder impingement You can also go straight to a physiotherapist without seeing a GP, but you might need to pay. You probably will not need to go to hospital for any scans. They may suggest some treatments you can try or refer you to a physiotherapist for treatment advice. They'll look at your shoulder and ask you to move your arm in different ways to see how easily you can move it and if movement makes the pain worse.
See a GP if you have shoulder pain that does not go away after a few weeks or is stopping you from doing your normal activities. Read about other causes of shoulder pain. If it is, you might have a frozen shoulder instead.