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If you're like most people, then shoulder pain is an ongoing issue that rarely goes away. Shoulder pain is a very complicated issue to tackle, mostly because we use our shoulders so often in our daily lives. Whether it's lifting or squeezing into tight spaces (like putting your arms through your coat sleeves), the shoulders are always absorbing a lot of strain and stress.
I'm going to explain to you what causes shoulder pain, how to treat shoulder pain, and exactly what you need to do to treat shoulder pain. An understanding of the problem will help you determine the best Manhattan pain management options for your particular condition.
Pain is A Warning
Shoulder pain is a common complaint, and a variety of things can cause it. The shoulder is a complex joint that requires strength and flexibility for optimal function. When one or more of these factors are reduced or lost, it can lead to pain in the shoulder region.
Pain is your body's way of telling you that something isn't right with your body, so listen when it tells you something is wrong! It doesn't matter if you're feeling discomfort from an injury or from an underlying condition — pain should never be ignored because it's often not just one thing causing the problem; there are always multiple factors at work behind any type of pain.
If left untreated, an acute injury like a sprained ligament can turn into chronic inflammation that lasts for weeks or months.
The shoulder is an intricate joint with several different moving parts. When you hurt your shoulder, you may feel pain in one or more of these areas:
The front of the shoulder — This is called the anterior shoulder. It includes everything from the collarbone down to your armpit. The most common cause of anterior shoulder pain is rotator cuff tendonitis or a tear.
The back of the shoulder — This is called the posterior shoulder. It includes everything from your armpit up to your neck. Posterior shoulder pain can come from arthritis in the joint, muscle strain or tendinitis (inflammation of a tendon).
Your arm — Pain can radiate down into your upper arm if there's inflammation in one of its joints (the elbow or wrist).
Don't Ignore The Symptoms
Shoulder pain can be a sign that something more serious is going on. Shoulder pain is often an early sign of rotator cuff tendinitis or other problems with your shoulder joint. If your shoulder hurts when you lift your arm or raise your head and it doesn't go away after resting, see a pain specialist right away. It's important to identify the cause of your pain and treat it appropriately.
How do you know if you have shoulder pain? The following symptoms may indicate that your shoulders are bothering you:
Pain in one or both shoulders
Inability to move your arm normally, such as raising it above your head without pain
A feeling of stiffness or tightness in the shoulder area
Tingling or numbness in your fingers, hand, or arm
Pain that worsens with movement or at night
A dull ache in the front or side of the shoulder
Pain that worsens with activity or reaches its peak at night when you lie down on your back
Pain that worsens when you reach overhead or behind your back
Know The Cause of Your Shoulder Pain
Shoulders are complex joints that allow for a wide range of motion, but they're also susceptible to injury. Athletes often experience shoulder pain due to overuse or poor technique during exercise movements such as throwing a baseball or swinging a golf club. Even weight lifters who have been training for years can develop shoulder problems due to improper technique while lifting heavy weights.
Common causes of shoulder pain include:
Overuse. Repetitive arm or shoulder movement can irritate the shoulder's tendons and muscles. This causes inflammation, which can lead to pain, stiffness, and weakness. Examples include throwing a ball or lifting heavy objects repeatedly over time.
Stress. Overuse isn't the only cause of shoulder pain — stress on the rotator cuff from sudden movements or lifting something too heavy can also cause irritation and inflammation that leads to pain.
Injury. Injury to the ligaments or tendons surrounding your rotator cuff muscle may also cause inflammation and pain in this area of your body.
Dislocation or subluxation (partial dislocation). Injuries such as these can damage muscles, tendons, and ligaments in your shoulder joint, causing irritation and inflammation that leads to pain.
Arthritis. Arthritis is a condition that causes inflammation in your joints — and as we get older, we're more likely to develop this painful condition. Shoulder arthritis can cause stiffness and pain in the joint when you move your arm. As you age, you may also experience pain that radiates down into your arm or hand. In some cases, arthritis may cause a limited range of motion in your shoulder joint.
Get Help With Your Pain
Shoulder pain can be a debilitating experience. It can make sleeping, working, and living your life hard. If you've been suffering from shoulder pain for a while, you might think that you have to live with it forever. The good news is that this isn't true!
The first step in treating shoulder pain is to make an appointment with a pain management specialist. They will be able to assess your symptoms and help you decide on the best treatment option for your condition.
Consider Physical Therapy
Consider seeing a physical therapist if your shoulder pain doesn't go away in two weeks or less. A pain doctor may refer you to a physical therapist who specializes in treating shoulder injuries and disorders.
Physical therapy is a treatment option that involves exercises, stretches, and other active treatments designed to help improve your range of motion and strength in your joints and muscles. Physical therapists often have special training in assessing and treating injuries or conditions affecting the muscles and joints. They can also teach exercises that strengthen the shoulder muscles and improve the range of motion while helping you avoid further injury.
Depending on the nature of your shoulder pain, your healthcare professional may be able to treat you in a variety of ways. In many cases, this will involve taking some kind of action, whether prescribing medication or suggesting physical therapy. Though you should consult with your healthcare professional in depth to determine the best course of treatment for your shoulder pain, there are steps you can take on your own to help alleviate discomfort and promote healing.
Try Corticosteroid Injections
Corticosteroid injections can help with inflammation and pain. They can also reduce how much you use your shoulder. You may need more than one injection during a course of treatment. These injections are usually given once every two to four weeks until there is no more improvement in symptoms after the last treatment. If you're considering getting a corticosteroid injection for your shoulder pain, make sure you understand how they work and what side effects they may cause before deciding if this option is right for you.
Talk To A Chiropractor
Chiropractors understand the importance of the joints and muscles in your upper body and how they function together. They can give you advice on how best to treat your condition and make recommendations on how to manage it.
If you're suffering from acute pain, a chiropractor may be able to help you get relief quickly by using an adjustment on your spine or neck. If your pain is chronic, a chiropractor will work with you to identify the underlying cause of your pain and provide adjustments that will help reduce inflammation and improve mobility in the joint where possible.
In addition, they may also recommend exercises or stretches that can help strengthen certain muscles around the area where you feel pain as well as other methods like ultrasound therapy or massage therapy that can help stimulate blood flow and increase circulation in the area where you feel discomfort.
Never Delay Seeking Professional Help
Most people that have experienced shoulder pain will tell you that it can be very agonizing, and even the simplest of daily tasks can cause the most discomfort. However, instead of struggling through this pain and trying to live with it, there are treatments available that will help ease your shoulder pain so you can get your life back! Shoulder pain should never be ignored because once you start experiencing it, there's no telling how bad things might get.
If you are struggling with shoulder pain, it is important to seek professional help, such as those at All Of Pain. All Of Pain can help you manage the pain and minimize your risk of recurrence. Plus, when it comes to shoulder injuries, it's often better to treat now than to postpone treatment until a more serious condition develops.
The most important thing to remember about shoulder pain is that you should never delay seeking professional help. A Manhattan pain management specialist can provide you with a treatment plan that will help reduce your symptoms and get you back to full health as soon as possible. And, of course, if you're ever wondering whether a particular injury is something to be concerned about or if it's something simple—it never hurts to ask!