What Is Shoulder Pain?
Shoulder pain can be caused by a variety of factors. The most common causes include trauma to the muscles or connective tissues in the area. A number of pain relief strategies can help to control the discomfort and allow you to return to your normal routine.
Treatment typically consists of reducing activity until the trauma is healed. Some cases may require physical therapy to regain complete natural function. Some very severe shoulder pain problems must be treated by surgery. Fortunately, a large majority of patients do not require any kind of surgical intervention. These procedures are reserved for dislocation problems and rotator cuff injuries.
To determine if your pain is caused by a rotator cuff injury, determine where the pain is focused. If pain is centered on the front or side of your shoulder and gets worse when you lift the arm, then the rotator cuff may be affected. This type of injury is typically excruciatingly painful, even affecting sleeping patterns.
The best pain relief options for shoulder pain include “active rest.” This term refers to maintaining regular movement of the shoulder, while taking care not to cause strain by lifting or repetitive motion. Heat therapy is also very helpful in many cases. Apply a moist hot compress to the painful area for about 15 minutes, followed by a cold compress for another 15 minutes. This will help to improve circulation and reduce inflammation. The treatment can be repeated every few hours as needed.
Stretching the muscles and tendons is important. Engage is some very gentle stretching of the affected muscles a few times a day. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications are very helpful for pain control. For severe cases, a physician can administer a cortisone injection into the affected area to reduce inflammation and discomfort.
Most shoulder pain can be expected to subside within less than a week. If you are still experiencing pain after this period, it may be a good idea to consult a doctor. Other indications that a doctor is needed include inability to move or raise the arm, inability to carry objects, or other unusual symptoms such as fever or signs of infection. A significant injury causing damage to the joint or excessive swelling and bruising should be examined by a professional.