Shoulder pain relief - Shoulder pain relief -Sentelhealth

Shoulder pain relief - Shoulder pain remedies

Pain in the shoulder is a fairly common issue, we don't think about our shoulder until we experience sudden and sharp pain in the shoulder. The chances of getting shoulder pain increases as you age and there are a variety of causes of shoulder pain ranging from a simple act of grabbing something overhead to serious medical conditions like arthritis and heart attack.

Some of the common causes of shoulder pain include :

1)Muscle strain

2)Rotator cuff injuries

3)Arthritis

4)Bursitis

5)Tendonitis

6)Rheumatoid arthritis

7)Heart attack (in heart attack pain is referred to the shoulder and to the medial aspect of the hand)

Treatment of the shoulder pain

Treatment of shoulder pain depends on the underlying cause for the pain, shoulder pain due to simple injuries can be treated at home with primary treatment while serious shoulder injuries need medical and surgical treatment. Getting shoulder pain relief can take a considerable time. sometimes, treatment can take up to eight weeks or longer to achieve shoulder pain relief.

At-home remedies for shoulder pain relief

a)Rest and avoidance 

Rest to the affected injured part is very important. As it helps in the recovery and avoiding the similar activities that caused the pain is crucial as it will worsen the pain.

b)Cold packs

Applying a cold pack helps in reducing the swelling and also has a soothing effect. Apply an ice pack four times a day for 15 minutes. Ice pack also helps to reduce the pain, do not apply a cold pack directly to the skin.

c)Heat therapy

Heat therapy increases circulation and relaxes the tense muscles in the shoulder. It also reduces muscle pain and arthritis in the shoulder.

d)Compression bandage 

Wrapping a shoulder with an elastic medical bandage helps to reduce swelling and pain. Wrap the bandage firmly but not too tight because you don't want to block the blood flow. A cold compression bandage is preferred over a regular bandage. If you feel a numbness or tingling sensation in your hand remove the bandage or make it lose.

e)Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Reducing inflammation is important in shoulder pain caused by arthritis, rotator cuff injuries, and tendonitis.NSAIDs are very effective at reducing pain and inflammation. They are taken as over-the-counter drugs and common drugs used are ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin, and naproxen.

f)Pain medications(pain killers)

Apart from aspirin and acetaminophen, it includes some medication that can be used as topical as well as for oral administration. This includes medications like diclofenac approved by U.S. food and drug administration. Diclofenac can be used as 1% diclofenac gel for topical use and can be used as a tab. diclofenac for oral use.

g)Muscle relaxants

Muscle relaxants are typically helpful in spasmodic shoulder pain. It helps in reducing muscle tension and spasm. Commonly used muscle relaxants in treating shoulder pain include drugs like baclofen and cyclobenzaprine. Muscle relaxants can't be used as over-the-counter drugs and one will need a prescription from a doctor to take these drugs.

Medical treatment by a doctor 

If the above treatment measures fail to give the result then you need a professional medical opinion and a complete medical examination. Most of the cases that do not respond to the above-mentioned treatment need surgical treatment. After a complete medical examination and diagnostic imaging doctor will advise either a medical treatment which includes injectable steroids or a surgical treatment depending upon his or her findings.

When to consult a doctor

Not all cases of shoulder pain need medical attention however, shoulder pain can't be ignored and there are some situations where professional medical opinion is mandatory

1)Pain not relieved despite taking the primary treatment and rest.

2)If your injured shoulder or arm or hand is weaker than the normal one.

3)If there is a restriction of the movements at shoulder joints due to severe pain or stiffness.

4)If you feel that your shoulder is not in a correct place (Dislocated shoulder)

Whom to consult

Orthopedic surgeon - a doctor with a specialist degree in orthopedics

Preventing the shoulder pain

The first step in preventing shoulder pain is to take enough rest and allow the body to heal from the daily stress. Eating a healthy diet is also very important as it provides all the necessary nutrients to the body to function with maximum efficacy. Moderation of alcohol intake and complete cessation of smoking are other lifestyle modifications that give impressive results in long term. People with a sedentary lifestyle and poor posture are more likely to get shoulder pain.