Shoulder Pain Treatment ? How to Stop Shoulder Pains
Shoulder pain is relatively common and has a variety of causes, ranging from a simple
muscle pull to a dislocated joint.
The reason why the shoulder is so susceptible to injury is that it has the most range of
motion of any joint in the body.Furthermore, shoulder pain sometimes originates from other
areas of the body such as the neck, mid back or even the heart.
In most cases, using common sense and following some simple home remedies will be enough to
stop your shoulder pain, but in some cases, treatment from a health professional is necessary.
1 Rest your shoulder.
Often, but not always, the root cause of shoulder pain is simple overexertion � lifting things
that are too heavy or lifting lighter loads too often.
Stop the aggravating activity for at least a few days.
If your problem is work related, then if possible, talk to your boss about switching to a different
activity.
If the shoulder pain is exercise related, then you may be working out too aggressively
or with bad form � consult with a personal trainer.
Excessive bed rest is not a good idea for any type of musculoskeletal injury because
some movement is needed to stimulate blood flow and healing.
As such, some rest is good, but complete inactivity is counterproductive.
Reconsider your sleeping environment.
Mattresses that are too soft or pillows that are too thick may contribute to shoulder pain.
Sleeping on your back for a few days or weeks may be needed so as to not aggravate your
shoulder.
Shoulder joint pain frequently worsens at night while in bed..
2 Ice your shoulder.
The application of ice is an effective treatment for essentially all acute injuries � including
shoulder strains and sprains � because it constricts blood vessels (reducing blood flow)
and numbs nerve fibers.]
Cold therapy should be applied to the most tender part of your shoulder in order to reduce
the swelling and pain.
Apply ice for 10-15 minutes every hour, then reduce the frequency as the pain and swelling
subside in your shoulder.
Compressing the ice against your shoulder with a bandage or elastic support will also
help control the inflammation.
Always wrap ice or frozen gel packs in a thin towel in order to prevent frostbite on your
skin.
3 Take over-the-counter drugs.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin can
be short-term solutions to help you deal with pain or inflammation in your shoulder � they
can be found in every pharmacy and grocery store.
Keep in mind that these medications can be hard on your stomach, kidneys and liver, so
it's best not to use them for more than 2 weeks at a stretch and to take them with food..
Talk to your doctor about your medical problems you have and any medications that you take
before taking these medications.
Follow the instructions on the package or your doctor's instructions on dosing.
Alternatively, you can try over-the-counter analgesics such as acetaminophen (Tylenol
and Paracetamol) or muscle relaxants (such as cyclobenzaprine) for your shoulder pain,
but never take them concurrently with NSAIDs.
4 Do some light shoulder stretches.
If your shoulder pain is primarily achy in nature and doesn't involve sharp, stabbing
or shooting pain with movement or a dislocation, then likely you're experiencing a muscle strain.
Mild muscle strains respond well to some light stretching because it relieves muscle tension,
promotes blood flow and improves flexibility..In general, hold stretches (without bouncing)
for about 30 seconds and do them 3x daily until the discomfort fades away.
Trying to protect your sore shoulder by not moving it or putting it in a sling may increase
the risk of adhesive capsulitis or "frozen shoulder," which is characterized by scar
tissue, chronic stiffness and reduced range of motion.
While standing or sitting, reach around the front of your body and grab the opposite elbow.
Gently pull on the back of the elbow until you feel a stretch in the corresponding shoulder.
While standing or sitting, reach behind your back towards your shoulder blade and interlock
with your other hand (diagram above).
Slowly pull on the hand with the sore shoulder until you feel a good stretch.
5 Build shoulder strength.
If your shoulder pain is caused by overexertion (especially while on the job), you may benefit
from strength-building exercises, assuming you perform them safely and correctly..When
your initial pain subsides, try to introduce low-intensity, low-impact shoulder strengthening
exercises to your routine.
Stronger muscles such as the deltoids and rotator cuff are more able to handle the strain
and exertion that can lead to shoulder pain, decreasing the likelihood that it will return.
Work with a personal trainer or physical therapist to make sure you are doing the exercises correctly.
Make sure your shoulder muscles are warmed up before exercising them.
Taking a warm shower or applying moist heat or doing simple calisthenics before weight
training is recommended because your shoulder muscles will be more pliable.
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