Don’t Let Shoulder Pain Slow You Down – Here’s How to Treat It

You have been feeling it later when you reach for something on a high shelf – that nagging pain in your shoulder. You are not alone. In fact, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, rotator cuff injuries are one of the most common injuries reported by people who work out. The good news is that rotator cuff injuries can often be treated without surgery. However, treatment plans will vary depending on the severity of your injury. If you are experiencing Westfield shoulder pain, this article will outline a few common treatment options.

At-home treatments for shoulder pain

Your shoulder is one of the most movable joints in your body, and as a result, it is also one of the most easily injured. Whether you are a weekend warrior or just trying to stay active, don’t let shoulder pain sideline you. Several at-home treatments can help.

One of the most effective is ice therapy. Apply a cold pack to your shoulder for 10-15 minutes, 2-3 times daily. Ice therapy helps reduce inflammation and pain. Another treatment that can help is heat therapy. Apply a heating pad to your shoulder for 10-15 minutes, 2-3 times daily. Heat therapy helps increase blood flow and reduces inflammation and pain.

Additionally, several stretches and exercises can help relieve shoulder pain. Try gently pulling your arm across your chest until you feel a stretch in the front of your shoulder. Hold for 30 seconds, then release. Repeat three times. Try using light weights to do gentle exercises that work the muscles around your shoulder joint.

Visiting the doctor for shoulder pain

It’s important to seek medical help if the pain is severe or doesn’t improve after a few days. Your doctor can do a physical examination and run some tests to figure out what is causing your shoulder pain. It could be anything from a rotator cuff tear to arthritis. They may prescribe medication or refer you to a physical therapist for treatment. Whatever the cause, there are plenty of ways to relieve shoulder pain.

Physical therapy for shoulder pain treatment

If the shoulder pain is severe, you may need to see a physical therapist. A physical therapist can help you with exercises and therapies to reduce shoulder pain. One common treatment is ultrasound, where the physical therapist will use a device that sends sound waves into your shoulder. This therapy is used to decrease the inflammation and pain in your shoulder.

Drugs and medications for shoulder pain

Your doctor may also prescribe medication to help relieve your shoulder pain. These can include over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen or prescription-strength drugs like celecoxib or diclofenac.

If these don’t work, you may be given a corticosteroid injection into the shoulder joint to help reduce inflammation.

You don’t have to live with shoulder pain. There are plenty of ways to treat it. If the pain is chronic, you may need to see a doctor to find out the cause and get treatment. But if the pain is occasional, there are plenty of ways to treat it yourself.