Shoulder pain is very common. There are various causes of pain in the shoulder joint, such as muscle strain, tendonitis, bursitis, arthritis, rotator cuff tear, etc. The treatment depends on the cause of the pain.
Shoulder pain is caused due to injury or overuse. This can happen from lifting heavy objects, playing sports, working out at the gym, or even sleeping in an awkward position. If you suffer from shoulder pain, then you should consult a chiropractor or General practitioner (doctor) immediately.
Shoulder joint pain can be treated using exercises, stretching, icing, massage therapy, and other methods.
Below we are going to investigate some of the most common causes of shoulder pain and how to treat it.
What is the most common reason for shoulder pain
The most common reason for shoulder pain is an injury to the shoulder muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, bones, or nerves in your shoulders. This can cause a reduced range of motion, sharp or dull persistent pain or a reduction in strength. You may also have shoulder pain if you’re doing repetitive activities that put stress on your arms and shoulders. This can happen from playing sports that require over extension of the shoulder like baseball or can simply happen from carrying things around all day long. Regardless of the reason, shoulder pain can lead to serious problems down the road if not treated properly.
What does shoulder pain feel like?
Shoulder pain feels like a dull ache that radiates down your arm. The pain may be sharp, dull, or throbbing. Your shoulder may hurt when you lift something heavy, reach overhead, or do other activities that require strength. If you experience shoulder pain, it could be caused by many different things. It might be due to muscle strain from lifting too much at once, or it could be a sign of arthritis or another type of joint disease. In some cases, shoulder pain can be caused by a torn rotator cuff tendon.
Treatments for shoulder pain
Although shoulder pain takes some time to heal, there are treatments you can do to speed up the process of recovery. Some exercises include :
Stretching: Stretching helps loosen tight muscles and increase blood flow to the area. Start with gentle stretches and work your way up to more intense ones.
Ice: Cold packs help reduce inflammation and swelling. Apply ice to the painful areas for 20-30 minutes several times per day.
Massage: A professional massage therapist will know exactly what kind of pressure to use to relieve your pain. They can apply deep tissue massages which will help break up scar tissue and improve circulation.
Medication: Over the counter anti-inflammatory medications (such as ibuprofen) can be used to alleviate pain and soreness.
Acupuncture: Acupuncture has been shown to reduce pain and stiffness in the short term. However, acupuncture isn’t recommended for chronic conditions.
Chiropractic care: Sports Chiropractors can target specific areas of the body such as the shoulder girdle and neck to help get rid of pain and restore proper function. Some Chiropractors are trained in dry needling which uses acupuncture needles to relieve the pain in specific shoulder muscles. Shockwave therapy assists in fascial release to enable movement and healing
Physical Therapy: Physical therapists can teach you exercises that will strengthen your weak muscles and prevent future injuries.
Ice or heat for shoulder pain
Pain relieving ice packs are often used to reduce inflammation and swelling. Ice should only be applied directly to the affected area for no longer than 20 minutes at a time. Heat can be beneficial for reducing muscle spasms. Heat pads can be placed on the neighbouring painful areas for 15-20 minutes at a time.
Muscular injuries often respond well to a combination of cold therapy (ice) and hot therapy (heat). If you've hurt yourself by pulling a muscle, it's best for you to begin treatment right away with ice packs to help relieve any discomfort from the injury. After an inflammatory response has resolved, switching to heat may be helpful for relieving any muscle stiffness at the injured site.
How to relieve shoulder pain from sleeping incorrectly
Using a medium-firm mattress and the right pillow for a person's sleeping position may help reduce shoulder pain from sleeping. If you experience pain when you wake up in the morning and you haven't done anything the day before to cause any shoulder pain, then it's most probably caused by your sleeping habits. Having the correct firmness and height of a pillow can make a huge difference for the pain that you may be experiencing. Side sleepers that tuck their arm under their pillow can also wake up in pain as you're putting pressure on the shoulder while in this position.
Need professional help?
Our team at LJ Chiropractic, Courtney, Sophia and Li Jen are experts when it comes to shoulder conditions. We believe preventative chiropractic care and management prior to pain determines the longevity of joint movement and prevents injuries occurring, allowing you to lead an active lifestyle. LJ Chiropractic offers tailored treatment options to accommodate the varied needs of our patients. Contact us now for your shoulder physical examination!
