Tracy Do you often feel pain in your shoulder?
Everyone who plays sports experiences shoulder pain at one point or another.
If you’re an athlete, this kind of joint pain is a part of your life. But even if you’re not an athlete, you could suffer from shoulder joint pain due to your movements.
Let’s take a look at what could be causing your shoulder pain, tell you some exercises to ease the pain, and give you some wonderful, homemade pain relief that’ll have you feeling all better in no time.
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Rest Your Shoulder
To rest your shoulder, try to avoid activities that need the use of your arm or shoulder, such as overhead reaching or lifting. Instead, keep your arm and shoulder in a position that is comfortable and does not put any strain on the joint. If you must use your arm or shoulder, take breaks often to avoid overexerting yourself.
Adjust Your Posture
Check your posture. Are you hunched over or slouching? If so, this may be putting undue strain on your shoulder joints.
Try to sit up straight and avoid slouching. Also, consult with a joint pain doctor to see if there is a shoulder pain treatment that can help to relieve your discomfort.
Apply Heat or Ice
There are a few ways you can go about applying heat or ice to your shoulder joint to relieve pain. If you’re going to use heat, you can either use a heating pad or take a hot shower. If you decide to use ice, you can either use an ice pack or put some ice cubes in a bag and wrap it in a towel.
Whichever method you choose, you should apply the heat or ice for about 20 minutes at a time.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapists can help to relieve pain by providing exercises and stretches that aim to improve the range of motion and flexibility in the shoulder. They may also use modalities such as heat or ultrasound to help reduce pain. They can provide education on how to best take care of the shoulder and prevent future pain.
Corticosteroid Injections
Corticosteroid injections can help to reduce inflammation and pain in the shoulder joint. The injections are given into the joint space and may be given many times over several weeks. They may also have some side effects, such as temporary joint stiffness.
Pain Medication
There are many different types of pain medication. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional to determine which type would be most effective for shoulder joint pain. Some pain medication is available over the counter, while other types need a prescription.
In some cases, a combination of medication and other treatments, such as physical therapy, may be necessary to manage shoulder joint pain.
Ease Your Shoulder Joint Pain
If you are experiencing shoulder joint pain, there are a few things you can do to ease the pain. Rest and ice may help, but you should also see a doctor to rule out any serious causes of the pain. Exercises that stretch and strengthen the muscles around the shoulder joint can also help.
If over-the-counter pain relievers don’t work, talk to your doctor about other options, such as corticosteroid injections or physical therapy. Don’t let shoulder pain hold you back from living your life to the fullest.
Check out the rest of our blog for more helpful tips and advice on joint pain.
