Understand and manage shoulder pain
Many people suffer from shoulder pain. The pain can be mild or severe, depending on the cause. The pain may affect daily tasks such as working, exercising, or even doing simple things like bathing and dressing. This comprehensive guide will help individuals understand shoulder pain, the causes of it, treatment options, opinions from experts, and prevention measures. This guide is intended to illuminate these important aspects.
What causes shoulder pain?
Any discomfort around or in your shoulder joint is considered to be shoulder pain. As one of the more mobile joints, the shoulder can be affected by a variety of injuries or conditions. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons reports that approximately 7.5 millions people in the United States visited doctors for shoulder pain alone in 2006. The prevalence of shoulder pain is highlighted by this statistic.
What are the common causes of shoulder pain?
Shoulder pain can be caused by a variety of factors. Some common causes of shoulder pain include:
- Osteoarthritis is an arthritis form that affects millions around the world.
- The group of muscles, tendons and ligaments that stabilise the shoulder joint is known as the Rotator Cuff.
- Bursitis is an inflammation of the bursa. The bursa is a lubricating sac located between tissue such as muscle, bone, and skin.
- Tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendons.
- It's also known as adhesive capsuleitis. The condition is characterized by pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint.
The Common Treatments of Shoulder Pain
Treatment of shoulder pain depends greatly on the cause and severity. Treatments include:
- Physical therapy: Techniques that improve mobility, and reduce pain.
- Medication: Prescription or over-the-counter drugs that reduce pain and inflammation.
- Shoulder joint replacement or repair may be required in severe cases.
- Injections - Steroids and hyaluronic acids can be injected in the shoulder area to relieve pain and inflammation.
What Experts Say About Shoulder Pain
Many experts in this field recommend using a combination treatment for shoulder pain. A 2013 study in Journal of Physical Therapy Science found that physical therapy and medication together significantly improved shoulder function in osteoarthritis patients. More research is being conducted to find more effective treatment options for shoulder pain.
Prevention and Natural Treatments for Shoulder pain
Certain lifestyle changes and natural remedies may help to manage and prevent the pain in your shoulder. Included in this list are:
- Good posture is important
- Strengthen your shoulders with regular exercise
- Heat or Cold the Affected Area
- Deep breathing, yoga and other relaxation techniques are good to practice.
Shoulder pain affects many people. Experts recommend that a combination therapy is used to achieve the best possible results. Preventive and natural remedies can be very helpful in managing shoulder pain. The first step to effectively treating shoulder pain is understanding it. This information empowers people to be in charge of their own health, and get the appropriate treatment when needed.
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