Painful shoulder? Possible causes, symptoms and treatment.

Introduction:

Shoulder pain is a common complaint that affects millions of people around the world. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including injuries, overuse, and age-related wear and tear. In this article, we will explore the various causes of shoulder pain, common symptoms, and effective treatment options.

Causes of Shoulder Pain:

Shoulder pain can be caused by a range of factors, including:

• Rotator cuff injuries: The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that help stabilise the shoulder joint. Injuries to the rotator cuff can cause pain and weakness in the shoulder.

• Frozen shoulder: Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition in which the shoulder joint becomes stiff and painful.

• Tendinitis: Tendinitis is an inflammation of the tendons in the shoulder. It is often caused by overuse or repetitive motions.

• Bursitis: Bursitis is an inflammation of the bursae, which are small sacs filled with fluid that help cushion the joints. When bursae become inflamed, it can cause pain in the shoulder.

• Arthritis: Arthritis is a degenerative condition that can cause pain, stiffness, and inflammation in the joints, including the shoulder joint.

Suffering from shoulder pain and you would like a diagnosis and rehab programme contact us 

Symptoms of Shoulder Pain: 

The symptoms of shoulder pain can vary depending on the underlying cause, but common symptoms include:

• Pain and tenderness in the shoulder

• Stiffness and reduced range of motion

• Weakness in the shoulder

• Swelling or bruising

• Difficulty sleeping due to pain

Treatment Options:

The treatment options for shoulder pain depend on the underlying cause, but may include:

• Peace & love: The combination of protection, elevation, avoiding anti-inflammation, compression, education, load, optimism, vascularisation and exercise can help reduce symptoms and begin your recovery process.

• Physical therapy: Physical therapy can help improve the range of motion, strength, and flexibility of the shoulder. One to one rehab session

• Sports Massage: Sports massage can help improve the range of motion, flexibility of the shoulder and reduce pain symptoms.

• Acupuncture: A small study showed that acupuncture plus exercise was better than just exercise for improving pain, range of motion and function for up to 5 months

• Injections: In some cases, corticosteroid injections can be used to reduce inflammation and relieve pain in the shoulder.

• Surgery: In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to repair damaged tissues or replace the shoulder joint.

Conclusion: 

Shoulder pain can be a debilitating condition that can significantly impact your quality of life. If you are experiencing shoulder pain, it is essential to seek medical advice to determine the underlying cause and the most appropriate treatment options. We hope that this guide has provided you with valuable information to better understand shoulder pain and how to treat it effectively. For further assistance please contact us. 

References:

Buchbinder, R., Green, S., Youd, J.M. and Cochrane Musculoskeletal Group, 1996. Corticosteroid injections for shoulder pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2010(1).

Hall, K., Grinstead, A., Lewis, J.S., Mercer, C., Moore, A. and Ridehalgh, C., 2021. Rotator cuff related shoulder pain. Describing home exercise adherence and the use of behavior change interventions to promote home exercise adherence: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Physical Therapy Reviews, 26(4), pp.299–322.

Park, J., White, A.R. and Ernst, E., 2000. Efficacy of acupuncture as a treatment for tinnitus: a systematic review. Archives of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, 126(4), pp.489–492.

Nazari, G., MacDermid, J.C., Bryant, D. and Athwal, G.S., 2019. The effectiveness of surgical vs conservative interventions on pain and function in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome. A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One, 14(5), p.e0216961.

Yeun, Y.R., 2017. Effectiveness of massage therapy for shoulder pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of physical therapy science, 29(5), pp.936–940.