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The shoulder is a ball and socket joint with a large range of movement. Such a mobile joint tends to be more susceptible to injury. Shoulder pain, is one of the more common reasons for physician visits for musculoskeletal symptoms.
The shoulder pain may be either localized or may be referred to areas around the shoulder or down the arm. Disease within the body also may generate pain that travels along nerves to the shoulder. Conversely, pain felt in the region of the shoulder blade or scapula nearly always has its origin in the neck.
Causes
- Angina
- Arthritis
- Bursitis
- Calcific Bursitis
- Heart Attack
- Lung Cancer
- Muscle Pain (Myofascial Pain Syndrome)
- Rotator Cuff Disease
- Shingles
Other Causes of Shoulder Pain
- Bone Tumor (rare)
- Brachial Plexus Injury
- Cartilage Tear (usually Labrum Tear)
- Cervical Radiculopathy
- Dislocation
- Fracture (Broken Bone)
- Irritation Under Diaphragm
- Septic Arthritis (Pyarthrosis - rare)
- Sprain
- Tendinitis
Symptoms
- Inability to carry objects or use the arm
- Injury that causes deformity of the joint
- Shoulder pain that occurs at night or while resting
- Shoulder pain that persists beyond a few days
- Inability to raise the arm
- Swelling or significant bruising around the joint or arm
- Signs of an infection, including fever, redness, warmth
- Any other unusual symptoms
Natural Cures
- Identify the affected area of the shoulder and apply ice for 30 minutes. Now warm the area with hot compression bags for 1ur.
- While sleeping or resting, use a pillow to rest your shoulders. Try to keep your shoulders above your heart-level. Maintain this posture while sleeping, as helps in fast, if not immediate recovery from shoulder pain.
- There are very useful elastic compress bandages. Put them on your aching shoulder as the compression act helps to ease the bulge or pain.
Treatments
- Depending upon the severity of pain, Pharmaceutical treatments is suggested. Such as over-the-counter, such as aspirin, or with a doctor's prescription. The long term use of these drugs is risky. It may lead to addiction, or may carry the risk of side effects which can be quite severe, such as heart disease, digestive disorders, ulcers and liver damage.
- Physical Therapy is often prescribed along with medication to alleviate shoulder pain. A wide variety of treatments from heat therapy to massage are offered by registered physiotherapists, with a wide range of success being reported, from excellent to fair.
- For those patients who prefer a more natural approach, there are a wide range of alternative treatments available. You can choose from Acupuncture, Chiropractic Massage Therapy and Naprapathy.
- If all else fails, the last option is of surgery. It offers limited relief for certain conditions. Also, there are some risks to be taken into consideration.
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