Shoulder Pain

Shoulder Pain Causes and Treatment

Shoulder pain is a common problem that many people experience. This type of pain can be directly in the shoulder area or in both the shoulder and the neck area. Pain in the shoulder can be caused by many different things due to the design of the shoulder. The ball and socket joint is what gives the shoulder its mobility. This makes it possible for a person to have a large range of motion but it also makes you more susceptible to injuries.

Strains are the number one cause of shoulder pain and these are normally caused by overuse or overexertion of the arms. Using your arms too much can cause the muscles to become sore and strained or tendonitis can eventually set in causing pain in the shoulder area.

Other causes of shoulder pain can be caused by the following:

• Injuries
• Fractures
• Pinched nerves
• Frozen shoulder
• Diseases

Certain diseases can cause damage to the soft tissues, nerves or the bones that surround the shoulder area and this causes pain.

Shoulder pain can be treated by several different methods depending on what’s causing the problem. Therefore, the first step will be to determine the cause of the pain. Once a diagnosis has been made your doctor will prescribe the best treatment based on your individual needs.

Many times anti-inflammatory medications such as Motrin and Aleve are used because these will help to relieve the swelling that can accompany shoulder pain. Tylenol is also used to help reduce the pain that you feel or in many cases heating pads or ice packs can be used. If the pain you’re experiencing is caused by arthritis, then your doctor may suggest a corticosteroid injection to help reduce the pain.

If your pain is caused by overuse, sometimes rest will allow the damaged area to heal itself and the pain will go away on it’s on. However, if you continue to have pain after resting a few days, you may want to see your doctor to determine the cause of the pain and the extent of the damage.

To help prevent injuries to your shoulder you can use stretching exercises to keep your muscles flexible and to help strengthen them. Avoid straining and overusing the arms whenever possible. Stop and take a break when necessary. Preventing injuries that cause shoulder pain is always better than trying to eliminate the pain after a problem occurs.