Shoulder pain may be a symptom in itself or a condition. The primary cause of the pain may be the shoulder joint itself, or may be from the surrounding tendons, ligaments or muscles. If the pain is due to a shoulder joint problem, it may get worse with certain movements and activities.
Shoulder pain may be a symptom of a condition or injury affecting the shoulder or the nearby area. It may also be a referred pain, which means that the problem is not the shoulder, but somewhere else. For instance, medical conditions or diseases affecting the abdomen or chess may cause pain in the shoulder.
Symptoms of Shoulder Pain
As mentioned, shoulder pain is a symptom in itself. Depending on the underlying cause, the pain may be dull, achy, sharp or severe. Its onset may also be gradual or sudden. In certain cases, such as when the pain is due to injury, the pain is triggered or worsened by everyday activities, overuse, or overexertion. However, in other cases, the pain may still get worse even when you are resting or not moving your shoulders.
Other associated symptoms of shoulder pain include swelling, shoulder or arm weakness, stiffness, tingling, numbness and muscle spasm. If the pain is due to an injury, there may be a visible deformity of the shoulder.
Causes of Shoulder Pain
There are various conditions and factors that can cause shoulder pain. One of the most common causes is tendinitis in the rotator cuff. This occurs when the tendons in the shoulder are inflamed. The shoulder pain may also be due to an injury in the shoulder. The injury may be on the muscle such as a strain or the bone.
The pain may also be a referred pain. This happens when your neck or arm is injured and the pain radiates to the shoulder. Other possible causes include arthritis, torn rotator cuff, torn cartilage, swelling of the bursa sacs, and bone spurs. In certain cases, the following may also cause shoulder pain: pinching nerve in the shoulder or neck, frozen shoulder, dislocated shoulder, overworked or overused shoulder.
Serious conditions like heart attack or spinal cord injury may also manifest as shoulder pain.
The kind of treatment needed depends on the severity and cause of the shoulder pain. Treatment options range from self-care, physical therapy, pain medication, injection to surgery. For temporary pain relief, you may take over-the-counter medications like NSAIDs. If the pain is severe, your doctor may prescribe prescription pain medications like corticosteroids.
Minor shoulder pain may be treated at home. The most common home remedy is applying ice on the affected area. Applying heat may also provide pain relief. After applying heat or ice, it helps to limit your work and activities. Resting helps the shoulder to heal on its own and regain its mobility and strength. The pain may subside and go away after a few days or week. If there is swelling, compressing the shoulders with an elastic bandage also helps.
If the pain is severe or if it is caused by an underlying condition, then the condition must be treated. This may required pain injections, specific medications or even invasive procedures such as surgery..
Why You Should Reach Out to AZ Pain and Spine
Pain is complex. Shoulder pain may be serious or not. The best way to find out is to go to a pain specialist. Better be safe than sorry. Here at AZ Pain and Spine, we provide innovative and highly efficient pain management solutions to various pain symptoms and conditions. This includes shoulder pain.
If you are experiencing shoulder pain for days or weeks, do not prolong your agony. Let us help you get rid off the pain and discomfort. Make an appointment with us today and get started with your journey to a pain-free living.