When I hurt my shoulder a few months ago, the doctor made me move it around while she pressed on it. This ended up causing pain. It turns out that I had something called an impingement. Is it normal to do a test that causes pain?

When doctors are testing for injuries of muscles, bones or joints, there is a lot that they can't see. However, they do know that if you can do certain movements, then certain problems may be ruled out. The reverse is true too. If you can't do certain motions or movements, then there are certain problems that the doctor may consider. By doing a few different tests, the doctor may be able to narrow down your particular problem, avoiding a misdiagnosis.

While it's never pleasant to undergo an examination that causes pain, the intent isn't to cause pain itself, but to see what triggers the pain. It is important that you tell your doctor, during the exam, if something is hurting you.