Shoulder Pain

As the name suggests, shoulder pain is the pain that is felt in the shoulder region. The shoulder is one of the most commonly used joints, making it vulnerable to injuries.

The shoulder t is made up of tendons, ligaments, bursae etc. Thus, many tissues and muscles go to make a shoulder. An injury to any of them can trigger off shoulder pain. Although many people think that shoulder pain is caused by an injury to the bone, in most of the cases, shoulder pain is caused by an injury to the tendons or ligaments.

Symptoms of shoulder pain:

Since the shoulder consists of different parts, injury to different parts can lead to a display of varying symptoms.

Some of the common symptoms are:

• Pain: Injury to the rotator cuff causes pain in the shoulder. The shoulder consists of four tendons that allow for a wide range of movements. These tendons are known as ‘rotator cuff’. Injury to any one of the tendons can lead to shoulder pain. The pain worsens when one indulges in strenuous activities, especially the ones where the shoulder is required to be lifted.
• Redness and swelling: If you are suffering from bursitis, then it might lead to redness and swelling of the shoulder. The affected region becomes tender and feels warm, upon physical examination.
• Discomfort while sleeping on the afflicted shoulder: In the case of tendonitis, the patient experiences pain in the upper region of the arm. He/she also experiences discomfort and pain while sleeping on the afflicted portion.

Causes of shoulder pain:

The shoulder is one of the most active of all the joints. This makes all the tendons and muscles associated with a shoulder all the more prone to a host of injuries.

Some of the common causes are:

• Tendonitis: Tendons are a cluster of fibrous, elastic and dense tissues that join two bones together. The inflammation of tendons can lead to tendonitis. Inflammation of any tendon can cause shoulder pain. The inflammation can be attributed to a wide variety of reasons including aging, indulging in various sports activities that require a lot of shoulder movements like tennis, bowling baseball, etc. Similarly, if your work involves a lot of arm movements, you might suffer from tendonitis.
• Bursitis: Bursa is a fluid-filled sac that is located between a tendon and a bone or tendon and skin. Its main task is to offer protection to the joint.
• Frozen Shoulder: This is a medical condition wherein the patient experiences stiffness of the shoulder joint.
• Dislocation: The arm bone is fitted into a socket-like part known as the scapula. An accident or injury can cause the head of the shoulder to come out of the scapula.
• Calcium deposits: An excess of calcium deposits in any of the tendons forming the rotator cuff.
• Instability: Instability of the shoulder in the form of loose joints.

Treatment for shoulder pain:

Treatment for shoulder pain should be decided after analyzing the cause of the pain.

Some of the common treatments for shoulder pain include:

• Rest: Most doctors advise their patient to take rest and avoid activities that require the use of the affected shoulder. The rest is to be continued until the pain and inflammation subsidizes. However, you should be cautious; for long periods of rest can cause frozen shoulder.
• Ice and Heat applications: In most cases, sufferers from shoulder pain are often treated with ice and heat applications. This relieves one from pain and inflammation. It is usually best to wrap the ice under a thick cloth or a towel.
• Physical therapy: Those afflicted with shoulder pain are often advised to undergo physiotherapy sessions. These sessions are designed in such a way that not only do they provide relief from pain but also strengthen the affected region.
• NSAIDs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen are commonly prescribed for shoulder pain caused by tendonitis, bursitis etc.

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Do not take this as medical advice. Please consult with your physician before trying any of these ideas.

None of the statements in this site have been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.