Shoulder Pain (General)

Shoulder pain is when muscles, tendons, and capsules may hurt due to trauma or lost flexibility. It may occur suddenly or gradually. It is not a normal feeling in shoulder joints. There are different types of shoulder pain conditions, some of which may be aggravated by weather conditions like cold, soreness, and heat. They can also occur due to poor posture at work or in other aspects of life. This article will discuss symptoms, causes, and treatment for shoulder pain.

Symptoms of Shoulder Pain

It is essential to understand the symptoms of shoulder pain, as well as what causes it to occur. Shoulder pain is a common problem that can affect anyone at any age. The most common cause of shoulder pain is an injury, such as a sports injury or a fall on the shoulder. Other causes include arthritis, rotator cuff tears, and bursitis. The following are common symptoms of shoulder pain

Pain in Your Shoulder Joint

The most common symptom of shoulder pain is a pain in your shoulder joint. This means that the bone that makes up the joint has become painful. You may feel pain when you move your arm or do certain activities such as lifting weights or playing sports.

Pain That Travels Down Your Arm to Your Elbow or Hand

If you have a sore shoulder, it can be challenging to get around because of the pain in your arm and hand. While you have shoulder pain, your elbow and wrist may also be tender to touch.

Uncomfortable Movement of Your Shoulder Joint

When you try to move it around/shake it out (called “subluxations”), when you try to move your shoulder joint around, you will feel some discomfort because it does not move well due to inflammation or a torn ligament in the joint itself.

Stiffness or Weakness When Lifting Heavy Object

This symptom can indicate damage to the rotator cuff muscles, which are located on either side of the shoulder blade and stabilize the joint and allow you to perform movements such as throwing or swinging a bat or golf club. If you experience pain while lifting heavy objects, see a doctor immediately so they can properly diagnose and treat any injuries you may have sustained to this area of your body.

Pain That Radiates Down Your Arm

This is often called “pain down your arm,” but it can also occur in your neck and chest. You may feel a deep ache or throbbing pain in your shoulder when you lift your arms above your head or make specific movements such as reaching for something overhead.

Causes of Shoulder Pain

Several causes can cause shoulder pain. Many acute cases of shoulder pain resolve themselves with no more than a recovery period and some form of therapy, such as physiotherapy. More severe cases may require surgery or a combination of medication, physical therapy, and surgery. Here are some of the causes of shoulder pain.

Rotator Cuff Tear

Rotator cuff tears are among the most common causes of shoulder pain. These tears occur when the rotator cuff muscles tear, a prevalent injury for athletes. A rotator cuff is a group of small muscles that stabilize your shoulder joint and help you to raise and lower your arm.

Labral Tear

Labral tears are also known as labral impingement syndrome (LIS). The labrum is a soft tissue in front of the shoulder blade that helps to keep your shoulder stable and in place. Injuries to the labrum can cause pain in your shoulder, neck, and upper back and numbness in your fingers and hands.

Shoulder Instability

Shoulder instability occurs when there is an abnormal movement between bones or joints at the end of the humerus (the long arm bone), where it meets with the scapula (the shoulder blade). This can result in pain, weakness, or a limited range of motion within your shoulder joint.

Fracture

The most common cause of shoulder pain is a fracture. This occurs when one or more of your bones break. A broken bone can be one that you have never had before, such as a stress fracture in your femur (thighbone), a new growth spurting out of your leg, or an old fracture that has healed incorrectly. The most common fracture type is an anterior dislocation (where your arm goes forward), followed by posterior dislocations (where it goes backward).

Arthritis

If you have arthritis in your wrist, elbow, or shoulder joints, you may experience pain that moves from one joint to another over time. Arthritis symptoms often include stiffness, swelling, and redness at the site where there’s inflammation or damage caused by arthritis-related damage to the cartilage.

Treatment for Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain is a common problem in the world. It can be caused by several factors, including old injuries and poor posture. Many treatments can help shoulder pain, but some are more effective than others. Here are some of the treatments for shoulder pain.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture involves inserting fine needles into the skin at specific points on the body to improve circulation, reduce pain, and promote healing. The needles are usually inserted in several different locations on the body. Still, they can also be used to stimulate specific areas of muscle tissue that may be causing you pain or inflammation if there is no other cause for it. Acupuncture can also help speed up your recovery time from surgery or other procedures if done correctly by an experienced practitioner who knows how to treat your particular problem correctly.

Physical Therapy (PT)

Physical therapy is an essential part of healing and preventing future injuries. It is usually done by a physical therapist who has completed a particular education program that trains them to specialize in working with people with shoulder problems. They will treat your injuries and correct any muscle imbalances that may be causing you pain.

Ice

Ice packs are an effective treatment for shoulder pain. Applying ice packs to the area of your shoulder that hurts can help reduce inflammation and relieve muscle spasms. You should place them on your shoulders for about 15 minutes and then repeat this process every 20-30 minutes until you feel better.

TENS Unit

A TENS unit is another excellent way to provide relief from shoulder pain. These devices deliver small electrical pulses through electrodes placed on the skin. Studies have shown that using one of these devices can reduce pain, improve range of motion, and even heal injuries faster than traditional treatments such as rest.

Stretching and Exercises

Stretching and strengthening exercises are usually recommended to treat shoulder pain because they help loosen up tight areas in your body. They also maintain the muscles around your joints and increase blood flow to those muscles, which helps reduce inflammation and swelling.

Massage

Massage therapy is another treatment that’s often used to treat shoulder pain. A licensed massage therapist will use their hands or other equipment to work on specific areas of your body that need extra attention. Massage also increases blood flow to your muscles and speeds up healing time for injured muscles.

Wrapping Up

Shoulder pain is a common ailment of the upper body that causes discomfort and reduces activities. Often treated using physical therapy and medications, it can vary in type and be very painful. The symptoms of shoulder pain may be difficult to detect due to their similar nature to the neck, arm, and hand problems. Before starting any treatment sessions on shoulder pain caused by injuries or other underlying issues, a proper diagnosis is advised.