Ever woke up in the middle of the night with shoulder pain and wondered what it was? As active people, it is inevitable that at one point, we're going to have an ache or pain in our bodies while we do the things we love. For many, this comes in the form of shoulder pain.
Shoulder pain can be due to a variety of reasons and is often a combination of two or more contributing factors. Whether it is from a sports injury or from everyday wear and tear, you should see a New York pain management specialist. Proper evaluation and treatment can significantly reduce your suffering.
If you're suffering from shoulder pain, it can be difficult to work and function. And painful shoulder symptoms aren't just limited to physical health. Research suggests that a chronic shoulder injury can also impact your emotional health and well-being. So if you're experiencing a sore shoulder, here are three reasons it might be hurting, along with some methods that might help alleviate the pain.
It Might Be from Overusing Your Shoulder
The shoulder is a complex and delicate joint, and it can be easily strained or injured by repetitive use. If you find that you're experiencing discomfort or pain in your shoulder, the most likely culprit is an overuse injury.
It can make it difficult to continue your regular daily activities. Whether it's day-to-day chores, playing sports, or other physical activities, shoulder pain sure does put a constraint on how you enjoy your life. In order to avoid developing pain that can become chronic and long-lasting, the first step is to identify the sources of stress on your shoulder.
You could have overused your shoulder muscles by doing too many repetitions of any movement with your arm extended overhead.
You work with your hands all day, and the muscles in your arm are constantly being used to support the weight of whatever it is you're holding as you move around. It's also possible that you could have developed some bad postural habits from years of carrying heavy loads without thinking about it.
You have strained a muscle or tendon near the joint in your shoulder (the glenohumeral joint). This could be due to overuse or from one specific movement that put too much pressure on one area of the joint.
If you have been experiencing shoulder pain for some time, it is important that you see a pain specialist to determine what is causing the problem. This is especially true if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
Pain that does not go away after resting
Swelling around the area where you feel pain
Tenderness when pressing on areas around the shoulder
Severe tightness or stiffness
Limited range of motion
It Could Be a Sign of a Torn Ligament or a Broken Bone
A fall on an outstretched hand can cause damage to your shoulder joint and surrounding muscles, ligaments, and tendons — which are connective tissue that connects bones together. This causes inflammation and swelling around the tendons, which can make them stiffer and less flexible, making movements like reaching overhead difficult without discomfort.
Torn rotator cuff tendon (rotator cuff tear) is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain in adults. The rotator cuff is made up of four tendons that attach your upper arm muscles to your shoulder blade. When these tendons get pulled or torn, it can cause severe pain and weakness in your arm and hand.
However, if you hear a popping sound when you move your arm and experience pain, it may mean you have broken one or more bones in your shoulder joint. This is known as a "dislocation." When you have broken a bone in your shoulder, there will be immediate pain that increases when moving around too much or lifting things with your hands.
If you suspect a broken bone or a tear in your shoulder, you should see a pain specialist right away to figure out what's going on. It's better to find this out sooner than later so that you can get proper treatment and start feeling better as soon as possible.
Most rotator cuff tears and dislocations can be treated with physical therapy, medical massage, and exercise, which strengthen the muscles around your joint and help them heal faster. If left untreated, however, they can result in permanent disability.
It Could Be Caused By Arthritis
If your shoulder is hurting, it could be because of a number of issues. The most common reason for shoulder pain is injury or trauma. For example, if you fall and land on your arm, you may have injured the muscles and ligaments in your shoulder joint. The pain will usually go away within a few weeks or months. However, if the pain lasts longer than this, then it may be due to arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is a condition that occurs when cartilage breaks down in the joints. Cartilage is a rubbery tissue that covers the ends of bones to protect them from friction during movement and provide smooth surfaces for easy movement.
When cartilage breaks down and disappears over time, it causes bones to rub against each other and causes pain and stiffness in the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that affects the entire body, including the joints. RA causes inflammation throughout the body as well as damage to tissues such as cartilage and bone around joints, which leads to pain and stiffness in those areas of the body.
It's important to consult with a health professional if the pain doesn't stop after a few days or gets worse instead of better rather than treating it yourself. Fortunately, there are many different treatment options available to help lessen and manage shoulder pain. Again, a pain specialist can help you determine the best course of action for your particular case.
Don't Let Your Shoulder Pain Worsen
Just remember, if your shoulders continue to give you problems, don't try to tough it out—it may be a sign of something more serious. Recognizing the different types of shoulder pain that you might be experiencing is the first step to understanding what could be causing it. If left untreated, this damage can cause long-term injury and pain in your shoulders. You do not want to damage the joint beyond repair.
Make an appointment with a New York pain management specialist who can help diagnose your condition, and once you identify the main source of pain, you can begin working on a treatment plan.
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