Shoulder Pain

“Around 18-24% of adults experience shoulder problems in the course of their life, especially those above 45 years of age. Shoulder pain is one of the most prevalent causes of musculoskeletal problems. It is important to treat this early to prevent its development into chronic pain and keep mobility intact. Axis Clinics offers specialized, and tailored treatment for shoulder pain.” – National Library of Medicine

What is Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain refers to any degree of discomfort in the shoulder joint area. The human shoulder has the greatest range of motion. The rotator cuff, a group of four muscles and their tendons provides this range of motion. Bone changes, swelling, or injury around the rotator cuff may cause shoulder pain. Moving the arm forward or behind your back or raising it above your head may also cause pain.

Shoulder pain may cause a dull ache that develops over weeks or sudden, severe discomfort. The method of shoulder pain relief depends on what causes it. Usually, conservative measures like physiotherapy, medications, and hot/cold therapy work well. In severe, advanced cases, doctors may need to use Regenerative orthobiologics or operate. You can consult experts at Axis Clinics as we help patients regain comfort and mobility.

How do I identify shoulder pain? Shoulder Pain Symptoms

Shoulder pain can occur in various ways, depending on its reason and severity. It can range from minor to so severe that it interferes with daily activities. Identifying these early signs allows us to fix the problem before it worsens. Some of the shoulder pain symptoms are listed below:

General Pain: Continuously or at intervals, there is an ache in the joint.
Limited Mobility: Unable to raise or twist the arm.
Swelling or tenderness: Around the shoulder joint or collarbone.
Clicking sounds: When you move the shoulder, it makes a clicking sound, which indicates that there is something wrong with the joint.
Stiffness: Most of the time, these are associated with an osteoarthritis lock or frozen shoulder.
Numbness or tingling: This involves traveling down the arm, which is an indication of nerve involvement.

Shoulder Pain Causes and Risk Factors

Shoulder pain usually results from the rotator cuff tendons getting pinched under a bony area in the shoulder. Either by inflammation or damage, these tendons usually also experience a condition popularly referred to as rotator cuff tendinitis or bursitis.

What is the main cause of shoulder pain?

Shoulder arthritis
Shoulder bone spurs
Bursitis, which means the inflammation of the sac full of fluid (bursa) that normally protects the joint and helps in smooth movement
Fractured shoulder bone
Shoulder dislocation
Separated shoulder
Frozen shoulder, which is when muscles, tendons, and ligaments inside the shoulder become stiff and make movement impossible and painful
Overusing or getting hurt to nearby tendons like bicep muscles of the arms
Injury to a nerve leading to altered movement at the shoulder
Overused torn tendons or tendonitis, like a rotator cuff tear, can subsequently create inflammation.
A flawed posture or mechanics of the shoulder.
There are pinched or compressed nerves in the neck that then travel to the shoulder and can sometimes radiate to the hand.

What are the risk factors for shoulder pain?

It occurs mostly among individuals who are more than 40 years old. Or young athletes who use the upper body more like wrestlers, cricket players golfers, and tennis players.
Occupation of heavy weight lifting or repetitive action with the arm.
Inactivity with little exercise or a sedentary lifestyle.
Preexisting conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, or a previous injury.

How do you diagnose shoulder pain? Diagnosis of Shoulder Pain

A very early diagnosis ensures effective treatment and faster shoulder pain relief. It also prevents any further complications.

The shoulder assessment includes:

Observing movement,
Checking for tenderness,
Testing strength, and
Measuring the range of motion.

To find the cause, it may also involve a full medical history, lifestyle, and past injuries. Further tests may include advanced tools, like imaging. They would confirm or rule out specific conditions for focused treatment.

Here is a list of diagnostic tools:

Physical Examination
X-rays
MRI Scans
Ultrasound Imaging
Arthroscopy

At Axis Clinics, our doctors use the latest state-of-the-art diagnostic tools to find the shoulder pain causes and then recommend the most effective treatment option.

Shoulder Pain Treatment

The shoulder pain treatment depends on the problem that is causing the pain. So, it is important to get it diagnosed first. However, before going to a doctor, you can try some home remedies which work in most cases.

To get relief from the pain, you can use pain relievers in the form of tablets or injections. However, if the pain and inflammation remain for longer, then you must try methods like RICE. It is a conservative method to heal pain and inflammation and promote the healing of the cause. Applying ice makes the affected area numb, leading to pain relief, while heat application helps relax the affected area from inflammation.

Physical therapy is also a conservative method to get rid of shoulder pain. But if there is no sign of relief from these medicines and methods, then you should immediately consult an expert doctor as the problem can become more serious. In some rare cases, the shoulder pain treatment also needs to be minimally invasive using Regenerative Orthobiolocigs or if there is a need for hybrid arthroscopy surgeries.

Shoulder Pain Recovery and Rehabilitation

Recovery from shoulder pain involves a combination of treatment, rehabilitation, and consistent self-care. The recovery period may vary depending on the condition’s severity and the treatment. Mild injuries might heal within weeks; serious cases may take months of rehabilitation.

Proper recovery is necessary to restore strength, flexibility, and motion and minimize the chance of recurrence. A good rehab plan and following medical advice will help. They’ll bring long-term relief and better shoulder function.

How to recover from shoulder pain?

Gradually return to your routine activities.
Learn exercises to stretch and strengthen the tendons of the rotator cuff and shoulder muscles. A healthcare professional or physical therapist may recommend some exercises.
Avoid heavy weight lifting or repetitive movements.
Use ergonomic support for daily activities.
Follow a balanced diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods.

Can shoulder pain be prevented? Shoulder Pain Prevention Tips

Nothing can be done to avoid the occurrence of accidental injuries, but the possibility exists to lower the chance of such injuries and help safeguard the shoulder, Such as:

Pay attention to the signals from your body as you engage in an activity. If you feel pain, pull back until the pain fades.
Warm up before an activity, especially any activity that includes throwing or hanging from both arms.
To avoid dislocating your shoulder muscles and tendons from their correct locations, maintain the right posture at all times.
Maintain a healthy weight according to your height and age as recommended by the doctor.
If your doctor recommends it, do exercises to strengthen the muscles around the shoulder joint to protect the joint.
Utilize proper ergonomics in the workplace to support the shoulder and prevent injuries due to repetitive use.

When to See a Doctor?

If shoulder pain persists for more than two weeks, restricts movement, or worsens despite rest, consult a specialist at Axis Clinics. Expert care guarantees excellent shoulder pain relief. Don’t ignore the persistent pain, as it might lead to different complications, including reduced mobility and constant pain. Early intervention improves prognosis significantly and prevents further damage.

Conclusion

Shoulder pain shouldn’t interfere with your normal routine. Timely checking will restore your strength and mobility, allowing you to do your daily activities easily. Our specialists at Axis Clinics offer custom treatment plans. Take the first step towards effective shoulder pain relief—book your consultation today!

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell if shoulder pain is serious?

If you are experiencing intense and persistent shoulder pain, you may need to consult with an expert healthcare professional. A severe case of shoulder pain may restrict your normal movements and sometimes may cause swelling.

Will shoulder pain go away on its own?

The majority of shoulder pains heal over time if treated appropriately and conventionally. Surgery, however, may be required in some serious cases.

Why is shoulder pain worse at night?

If your shoulder pain seems to get worse every night, your sleeping position may be the cause. Muscle tenseness and swelling in bursae caused by sleeping in a bad position can occasionally result in excruciating pain.

How do I get instant relief from neck and shoulder pain?

Shoulder pain can be quickly relieved by applying heating pads or ice packs. Heat soothes the tense shoulder muscles, while ice lessens inflammation. However, if the shoulder pain involves a dislocation or fracture, do not try treating it on your own. Seek expert help at Axis Clinics instead.

How to tell if shoulder pain is nerve or muscle?

If your nerves are causing shoulder pain, you may experience a pinching sensation and more intense pain. Muscle pains are not sharp and are more like a sprain.