Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain is a common symptom experienced by adults of all ages.
Methods to Alleviate Pain
There are many treatments and strategies available to help counteract the pain. The most important thing is to identify the reason for shoulder pain and to eliminate the issue. Active rest is crucial to recovering from shoulder pain; avoid doing strenuous activities such as playing sports and lifting heavy items. In the short term, ice packs and heat pads are excellent methods to reduce inflammation and relaxing the muscles. Once the pain subsides, gentle stretching will help loosen the muscle and tendons around the shoulder. Medications are also available as treatment options. Anti-inflammatory medicine, ibuprofen, and cortisone injections help reduce inflammation as well as pain.
When to Notify the Doctor
Shoulder pain affects thousands of individuals, but if the pain persists for a long period of time, you should consider notifying your doctor. Warning signs include:
-Total inability to use the affected arm
-Deformity of the shoulder joint due to a previous injury
-Shoulder pain that sporadically hits during the night while sleeping
-Pain that extends beyond a week
-Inability to raise the affected arm to shoulder height
-Significant swelling around the shoulder joint
-Fever, redness, or warmth due to possible infection
-Additional uncommon symptoms
Shoulder pain may also be a result of a fracture or teat within the shoulder and arm. Utilizing a physician consult is always the best method to identify the cause of the problem.
Treatment
Treatment for general shoulder pain revolves around changing your daily activities, rest, and physical therapy. Medication can be taken initially to reduce the pain and inflammation. However, please be sure to take medicine only as directed—prescriptions do contain side effects. Once the initial pain subsides and ample rest has been given, physical therapy can help strengthen and increase the flexibility of the shoulder. Strengthening the muscles around the area will help reduce further instances of injury and pain.
Surgery should be the last option to treat shoulder pain. About 90 percent of affected individuals with shoulder pain respond positively to non-surgical, simple treatments such as rest and medication. Serious shoulder problems such as a torn rotator cuff may require additional surgical procedures.
Identifying Rotator Cuff Injuries
When the rotator cuff becomes hurt, the pain usually concentrates in the front or the outside of the shoulder joint. Raising the arm and lifting something above the head should cause sharp pain. Over time, an injured rotator cuff can generate intense pain that may prevent you from accomplishing simple tasks. Pain during the night is a common symptom.