Shoulder Pain – Causes and treatments
Shoulder pain can cause a lot of discomfort and inhibit the movement of your neck and arm. The shoulder comprises of three main bones called the humerus, which is the long arm bone, the clavicle, which is the collarbone, and the scapula, which is also known as the shoulder blade.
Cushioned by a thick layer or cartilage, the shoulder has two joints, the acromioclavicular joint, which is located between the scapula and the clavicle, and the second joint, which is the glenohumeral joint, which is located between the humerus bone and the outer edge of the scapula.
The shoulder joint is the most mobile joint in the body, allowing you to move your shoulders forward and backward, as well as your arm, in a circular motion.
What causes shoulder pain?
There are a number of factors and conditions that can cause your shoulders pain. The most common cause of shoulder pain is rotator cuff tendinitis, which is a result of inflamed tendons. Sometimes, the rotator cuff gets caught between the acromion and the humeral head, which is called as the Impingement syndrome, another major cause of shoulder pain.
In some cases, injury to your neck or bicep can cause pain in your shoulders too. Other causes of shoulder pain include arthritis, torn cartilage or a torn rotator cuff.
A frozen shoulder is a condition when the tendons, ligaments, and muscles stiffen, making it difficult and painful to move, another cause of shoulder pain. In some cases, a dislocated shoulder could be responsible for your shoulder pain. This happens when the ball of the humerus is dislocated from the shoulder pocket.
Sometimes, serious conditions like a spinal injury or a heart attack can be the cause of shoulder pain too.
Treatment for shoulder pain
Based on the causes and the severity of your shoulder pain, there are a few treatment options. Treatments like physical therapy and occupational therapy, a sling or shoulder immobilizer, and in some cases surgery, can be helpful. Some medications that can provide relief from shoulder pain include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These are effective anti-inflammatory drugs that can be injected into your shoulders or taken in the form of tablets.
Home remedies for shoulder pain include applying an ice pack for about fifteen to twenty minutes, about three to for times a day till the pain subsides.
Taking good rest and avoiding too much strain and pressure on your shoulders can help too.
Make sure that your diet involves protein and calcium rich foods like eggs, dairy products, fish, and meat, as well as dark green leafy vegetables like kale and spinach which is rich in iron and phosphorous.
If the pain on your shoulder is persistent, too painful, and doesn’t subside after more than a day, then make sure you visit a doctor.