[header] How to self diagnose a separated ac joint [title] Identify pain near your shoulder joint. [step] Pain or discomfort in your shoulder or in the area around it may indicate that you have a shoulder injury. You might notice pain at all times or just when you move or apply pressure to the affected area. 
Pay attention to how your shoulder feels at rest and when you move it. [substeps] Joint separations are graded from mild (grade one) to severe (grade three).