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It's true that we are carrying a lot more than we used to. But most people in New Jersey aren't doing enough to take care of their shoulders. You probably have never thought about your shoulders until they started getting hurt, but they're in almost everything you do. Do you know how common shoulder pain is?
Shoulder pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal conditions. The pain can range from mild discomfort to chronic pain, significantly reducing the quality of life and leading to disability. Shoulder pain can be extremely uncomfortable and limit your ability to do daily tasks or exercise. That's why it's important to know the best Bergen County pain management services for this type of pain so that you can resume normal activities without restriction or discomfort.
The Uses Of Shoulder
The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint. The head of the upper arm bone fits into a socket in the shoulder blade. This allows for a wide range of motion. As a result, the shoulder can move in many directions, including up, down, forward and backward. The muscles that work to allow this motion are called the rotator cuff muscles. They help keep the head of the upper arm bone centered in its socket so that you can raise your arm above your head or behind your back without pain.
The main muscles involved in lifting, pushing, and pulling are located in the back of your upper body — your trapezius, rhomboids, and lower traps. These muscles work together to move your arm forward and back, side-to-side, and rotationally around the shoulder joint.
When you move your arm in any direction (for example, when playing sports), there is a lot of force on the tendons and ligaments that support the shoulder. This can lead to injury if those structures are not strong enough or if there are muscle imbalances that cause some muscles to be weaker than others.
Your shoulders help keep your head up and balanced on top of your spine. They also allow you to move your arms in many different directions so you can do many different things with them throughout the day, such as reaching for something above your head or picking up something from the floor.
Your shoulder muscles allow you to raise your arm up over your head or behind you. In addition, they stabilize the shoulder joint during movement. Your shoulders can help prevent other injuries in the upper body by providing stability for movements such as throwing a ball or swinging a bat in baseball. If your shoulders are weak and unstable, you can't do these things well and may increase your risk for other types of injuries. In addition to their broad range of motion, the shoulders are susceptible to injury due to their complex construction.
Shoulder Pain Factors
The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint that connects the arm with the body. The ball at the top end of your upper arm fits into the socket on your shoulder blade. This allows for a wide range of motion and makes it possible for you to reach out in front, behind, above, and below you.
Everyone's shoulders are prone to going out of alignment from time to time, and there can be many factors that cause this. Regardless of the root cause, it can be unpleasant and painful when your shoulders go out of alignment. It will also lead to an unresolved tension in the shoulders and neck area. The way you treat your body today has a huge impact on how you will feel tomorrow. This is why it is so important to take care of your body now before any potential problems arise. It doesn't make sense to wait until you're in a lot of pain before you take action.
The shoulder contains many small bones and muscles that allow it to move and support weight. When these structures become injured or inflamed, they can cause pain in the shoulder region. Understanding the causes of shoulder pain and how to manage it can help you get back to your normal activities.
Shoulder pain can occur for many different reasons, including:
Injury: Shoulder injuries are common among athletes who participate in contact sports such as football or hockey or those who engage in high-impact exercises such as running and jumping rope. Injuries often involve damage to one or more small bones in the shoulder joint, which leads to inflammation and pain.
Your shoulder can be injured in many different ways:
A fall on an outstretched hand can cause damage to the ligaments surrounding the elbow joint or the tendons of the extensor muscles in your forearm.
A blow to the front or side of your upper arm can injure the rotator cuff muscles, tendons, and ligaments around your shoulder joint.
A sudden rotation or twisting motion can tear one of the rotator cuff muscles or its tendon attachments.
Rupture of one or more bursae (fluid-filled sacs) under your acromioclavicular joint can also cause pain in this area.
Arthritis: It is the most common cause of shoulder pain in adults over 60 years old. If you have arthritis, your joints become stiff and swollen. This can make it difficult to move them freely and may cause pain. Arthritis usually affects several joints at once and can lead to permanent damage if not treated properly.
Tendonitis: It is inflammation of the tendons — elastic bands that connect bones to muscles in your arms and hands. Tendinitis usually occurs after an injury or repetitive use of your arm muscles with poor posture or technique that leads to strain on your tendons.
Overuse: Overuse of the shoulder joint can result in pain, weakness, and loss of mobility. The most common causes of shoulder pain are rotator cuff injuries, impingement syndrome, bursitis, and tendinitis. It can occur when you perform repetitive movements with your arm behind your back or in front of your body. This can happen if you use your shoulders to lift something heavy repeatedly or if you throw a lot of pitches during a baseball game.
Overuse of the shoulder includes:
•frequent throwing sports such as baseball or softball
•poor technique when lifting heavy objects
•lifting with your elbows rather than with your hands
•golfing with an improper grip
No one can dispute the importance of shoulders in developing the upper body for men and women. Shoulders, which work in conjunction with your chest and arm muscles, are responsible for such essential movements as the pressing of weights overhead in exercises like the military press to more delicate movements. The ability to strengthen and develop your shoulders optimally will greatly enhance every aspect of your fitness program.
However, many suffer shoulder pain from wear and tear. It can be correlated with poor exercise form (not doing enough stretching at the start and end of gym workout), lack of physical activity (key to healthy shoulder health), or due to injuries sustained through sports or rough play.
If you have shoulder pain, it's important to see a Bergen County pain management specialist who can determine the cause and recommend the best treatment options.
Tips To Avoid Shoulder Pain
The shoulder is a complex joint that allows for a wide range of motion. As a result, when it's injured, you're likely to experience a variety of symptoms and problems.
Many people have bad posture, but it's not too late to make improvements. Start with these tips:
Sit up straight. Be aware of your posture and sit up straight. Good posture will help you avoid injuries, such as neck and back pain.
Keep your shoulders back and down. Don't hunch over your desk or phone while texting or talking on the phone — this strains your neck muscles and can cause headaches and soreness in the upper back.
Don't carry heavy bags or purses on one side of your body; they stress your spine unevenly.
Try not to carry anything in one hand all day long; switch hands periodically, so both sides get equal use and strength over time.
Use proper form when lifting weights or doing other resistance exercises.
Eat a balanced diet that includes lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains every day.
Take frequent breaks during long periods of sitting at work or during sports practice to stretch your arms and shoulders.
A little attention to your shoulders can go a long way. The most mobile joints in the body are also among the most prone to injury. The best way to prevent shoulder pain is by strengthening your upper body and improving your posture. See a physical therapist who can help you relieve and prevent shoulder pain.
Symptoms of Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain is common and can be caused by many things. It can range from mild to severe and may be constant or come and go. But if you're experiencing shoulder pain interfering with your ability to work out or just live your life freely, it's important to figure out why before it gets worse. Symptoms include:
Pain around the top of your shoulder blade or front of your upper arm
Pain when lifting your arm above your head
Pain while sleeping on your side
Tenderness when pressing down on the top or front of your shoulder
A dull, burning or aching pain in the joint. This may be worse at night and when you move your arm in certain directions.
Pain increases when you use your shoulder for activities like gardening or sports.
Pain that keeps you from sleeping at night
Swelling in your upper arm or armpit area
When you have shoulder pain, it's easy to assume you'll just have to live with it. But that's not always the case. A number of factors can cause shoulder pain. Some causes can be serious and need pain treatment right away.
Shoulder pain can be acute or chronic. Acute shoulder pain usually comes on suddenly and lasts less than six weeks. Chronic shoulder pain lasts longer than six weeks or keeps coming back after getting better for at least three months.
Shoulder Pain Management
If you're experiencing shoulder pain, it's not just a source of annoyance; there's also a good chance you're missing out on some of the activities you love. Whether it's golfing or gardening, exercise or dancing, you want to be able to do these things without having to worry about constant discomfort in your shoulders. Fortunately, there are many pain management strategies to help manage your shoulder pain so that you can continue doing what makes you happy. And the best part? There are no medications required.
You may have heard that shoulder pain is the number one reason people visit a pain management center in New Jersey. There are many modern treatments available for people who suffer from chronic shoulder pain, including physical therapy, cortisone shots, and steroid injections. These treatments can help relieve symptoms such as swelling and stiffness so that you can feel better both physically and emotionally.
If you suffer from shoulder pain, do not ignore it. Instead, take preventative measures against problems that can and will arise if you put them off for too long. Hopefully, the suggestions in this piece have given you some ideas to work with. Be sure to look into them if you ever find yourself experiencing shoulder pain. And if you're looking for proper treatment and professional help for shoulder pain, book an appointment with one of our specialists in our Bergen County pain management center today.