15 Feb Why Shoulder Pain Won’t Go Away
Do you have shoulder pain? You’re not alone.
Many people deal with this issue every day. It can make daily tasks hard and take away from the fun things in life.
Shoulder pain is a big problem for lots of folks.
One key fact: Shoulder issues can come from many places, like injuries or using too much. In our chat, we’ll show you why this pain sticks around and how seeing a chiropractor is the answer you need.
Ready to feel better? Keep reading.
Key Takeaways
- Shoulder pain can come from rotator cuff injuries, arthritis, or using your shoulder too much.
- Seeing a chiropractor might help. They use spinal adjustments and soft tissue therapy to reduce pain.
- Doing exercises that make your shoulder stronger and moving in the right way helps with pain.
- Using cold packs for new injuries and heat for old pains can feel better.
- Making your workspace comfortable is important to prevent shoulder problems.
Common Causes of Persistent Shoulder Pain
Rotator cuff injuries, shoulder impingement, tendonitis and bursitis, arthritis, and referred pain from the neck or back are all factors contributing to persistent shoulder discomfort.
These conditions can lead to chronic stiffness, limited range of motion, pain during sleep, and persistent swelling or redness in the affected area.
Rotator Cuff Injuries
A rotator cuff injury happens when the muscles and tendons in your shoulder get hurt.
This can make moving your arm hard. You might feel pain or hear popping sounds.
It’s common for people to get this injury from an accident or doing the same shoulder motions a lot.
Aging can also cause it. I’ve seen many cases where people have partial or complete tears in their rotator cuff.
It takes time to heal, usually 4 to 6 months before you can use your shoulder well again.
Full recovery could take up to 18 months. Nighttime pain is a big sign of this kind of injury.
Shoulder Impingement
Shoulder impingement happens when shoulder bones pinch the rotator cuff. This causes swelling.
Pain starts in the front of the shoulder. It can spread down the arm.
The pain gets worse at night.
People who do a lot of overhead motions get it often, like those who swim, play baseball, or tennis. To manage it, they should rest and ice their shoulder.
Physical therapy also helps.
If these don’t work, doctors may suggest surgery called arthroscopic shoulder decompression.
Tendonitis and Bursitis
Tendonitis and bursitis both cause shoulder pain from overuse or injury.
Tendonitis is when tendons swell. Bursitis happens when bursae, small cushions in your shoulder, get inflamed.
Both can come from sports, work, or arthritis.
You might need to rest or use ice and meds for these problems.
I learned about these conditions the hard way—playing college baseball led me to a career in chiropractic care. Now, I help others with similar pains find relief without surgery.
Strengthening and stretching muscles are key prevention steps we always talk about at my clinic.
Next up: arthritis is another common cause of shoulder pain we should not ignore.
Arthritis
Moving on from Tendonitis and Bursitis, let’s talk about arthritis.
Shoulder arthritis is due to cartilage damage in the shoulder joint. It can cause pain, reduced range of motion, and grinding sensations.
There are different types such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, rotator cuff tear arthropathy, and avascular necrosis.
Pain management includes applying ice or heat and taking medications like acetaminophen or NSAIDs.
If these treatments don’t work, surgery could be an option.
Shoulder arthritis can cause pain and limited movement but there are ways to manage it effectively.
Referred Pain from Neck or Back
When your neck or back is injured, the pain can travel to your shoulder – this is called referred pain.
The symptoms of referred pain may include sharp, dull, or radiating sensations. It’s essential to treat the underlying condition causing the pain rather than just relieving it with temporary measures.
If you experience unexplained shoulder pain related to neck or back issues, seek immediate consultation with healthcare providers.
Referred pain can also present warning signs like difficulty breathing or dizziness alongside shoulder discomfort; these could indicate serious conditions that need prompt attention and medical care.
If you’re suffering from nagging shoulder pain that won’t go away, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Broken Arrow office at 918-940-4630 for relief through treatments aimed at addressing musculoskeletal issues caused by neck and back problems.
Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
Chronic stiffness cutting your mobility?
Finding it hard to move your shoulder freely and without pain? These could be signs that you shouldn’t ignore.
Chronic Stiffness
Untreated joint stiffness can indicate osteoarthritis, affecting one in three individuals over 60.
If ignored, it may lead to a risk of prolonged healing and worsened nighttime discomfort. A frozen shoulder could develop following immobilization from injury or surgery, potentially resulting in up to a two-year recovery period if not addressed promptly.
Limited Range of Motion
Chronic stiffness can lead to a limited range of motion in your shoulder.
It means you might not be able to move your shoulder as much as before. If the stiffness doesn’t get better, it could mean something more serious is going on with your shoulder.
Rotator cuff injuries often result in reduced usage of the shoulder joint and affect mobility. Osteoarthritis eats away at cartilage, causing long-lasting pain and decreased movement in the shoulder.
Pain During Sleep
Shoulder pain during sleep can be caused by bad sleeping positions, old injuries, or medical problems.
Symptoms of shoulder pain from sleeping on the side include dull pain, difficulty stretching arms, sharp pain when lifting the arm, and weakness in the arm.
Chronic shoulder pain while sleeping should prompt a medical consultation, especially if it worsens over time.
If you experience these signs of discomfort during sleep – it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and treatment.
Persistent Swelling or Redness
Persistent swelling or redness in the shoulder could indicate problems like bursitis or tendinitis.
It’s crucial to address chronic swelling as it can lead to difficulties with shoulder movement and potentially result in severe infections.
Eastern Oklahoma Chiropractic, located in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, specializes in providing comprehensive family care. We understand how persistent swelling and redness can disrupt your daily life and are committed to helping you find relief.
Continual inflammation around the joint area can be both painful and restrictive, affecting everyday activities.
For instance, ongoing discomfort may impede your ability to sleep well due to pain while lying on that side. If neglected, persistent swelling may lead to more significant health issues, such as sepsis.
Regular chiropractic care can mitigate these concerns by reducing inflammation and enhancing joint mobility using methods like spinal adjustments and soft tissue therapy.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help
Chiropractic care can assist in alleviating shoulder discomfort by utilizing spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy, enhancing posture and alignment, as well as reducing inflammation.
Interested in uncovering more about how these approaches offer relief? Keep reading for a more thorough exploration of noninvasive shoulder pain treatment.
Spinal Adjustments
Spinal adjustments are a key part of chiropractic care for shoulder pain.
Chiropractors use these targeted treatments to address the root cause of your discomfort. These adjustments can reduce pain, improve how your shoulder works, and help you move more freely.
Your shoulder pain might come from issues in your neck or back, so spinal adjustments can target this source of discomfort.
When done by a professional chiropractor, these adjustments have been shown to be effective in managing musculoskeletal pain and enhancing range of motion.
Soft Tissue Therapy
Soft tissue therapy is a crucial part of chiropractic care.
It’s designed to ease muscle tension and reduce inflammation that often comes with shoulder pain. Techniques like deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, and myofascial release are helpful in this.
Chiropractic care makes a difference in treating soft tissue injuries.
Pain scores dropped significantly from 55.3 to 24.5 with these methods. The use of manual therapy, therapeutic ultrasound, and active release techniques complements the approach – offering relief for that nagging shoulder discomfort.
Improving Posture and Alignment
Improving your posture and alignment is crucial for long-term relief from shoulder pain.
Chiropractic care focuses on correcting spinal alignment, using corrective exercises, and enhancing body mechanics to improve musculoskeletal health. This approach helps reduce tension and pain in the body by addressing the root causes of posture problems.
Chiropractors can also provide postural rehabilitation to promote functional movement and structural alignment.
By improving your posture and alignment through chiropractic care, you can experience a significant reduction in chronic shoulder pain without relying on medications or invasive treatments.
Engaging in these practices lays the foundation for lasting relief.
Moving forward, let’s explore additional tips for managing shoulder pain with effective stretching and strengthening exercises.
Reducing Inflammation
Reducing inflammation in the shoulder is crucial for long-term relief from pain.
Chiropractic care can effectively alleviate inflammation, enhancing blood flow to the shoulder and promoting natural healing by correcting misalignments. This approach decreases inflammation, improves function, and offers a natural way to manage persistent shoulder pain.
Chiropractic care not only focuses on relieving immediate discomfort; it is tailored to enhance your body’s ability to heal itself naturally.
Now, let’s explore more tips for managing shoulder pain…
Additional Tips for Managing Shoulder Pain
Want to manage shoulder pain better? Here are some practical tips:
– You can try doing stretching and strengthening exercises regularly.
– Apply heat and cold therapy as needed, and make ergonomic adjustments in your daily activities.
Stretching and Strengthening Exercises
Stretching and strengthening exercises play a crucial role in managing persistent shoulder pain.
Flexibility exercises, such as doorway stretches and pendulum swings, can enhance mobility and ease discomfort.
For shoulder rehabilitation, specific exercises like rotator cuff exercises and resistance band workouts are essential to regain strength and stability. Engaging in physical therapy offers personalized shoulder conditioning routines to improve posture and range of motion effectively.
Including joint strengthening exercises not only eases pain but also maintains long-term shoulder health.
Regularly including these exercises in your routine can help reduce stiffness while increasing flexibility for everyday activities.
Physical therapists often recommend a range of motion exercises paired with soft tissue therapy to address chronic stiffness or limited mobility commonly associated with persistent shoulder discomfort.
Shoulder injury rehabilitation through targeted exercise enhances overall functionality while reducing the risk of ongoing discomfort.
Heat and Cold Therapy
Cold therapy, like using a cold compress, is good for acute shoulder pain.
It lessens blood flow and numbs the pain. For the first 48-72 hours after an injury, apply ice for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours.
On the other hand, heat therapy helps with chronic pain by improving blood circulation and relaxing muscles. You can safely apply heat for 15-20 minutes at a time. But don’t use it on new injuries within 72 hours.
Dr.Travis Ring – who specializes in pediatric care and has over ten years of experience in chiropractic care – endorses these methods based on his professional expertise.
Ergonomic Adjustments
Properly organizing your work area can significantly help prevent shoulder pain.
Ensure your chair is adjusted so your feet are flat on the floor and your knees are level with your hips. Position your computer screen at eye level, and place the keyboard and mouse within reach to avoid straining.
Taking short breaks to stretch and move throughout the day can also help relieve tension in your shoulders.
Consider reorganizing your workstation to lessen the strain on your neck and shoulders. Even minor adjustments such as changing the chair height or monitor angle can positively impact how you feel during the day.
Establish a habit of taking brief breaks every 30 minutes by standing up, which not only reduces back discomfort but also contributes to increased productivity, all of which help alleviate shoulder discomfort.
Conclusion
In summary, shoulder pain may stem from different conditions like injuries or arthritis.
Chiropractic care provides noninvasive and effective solutions for long-term relief.
Are you prepared to take steps toward managing your shoulder discomfort? By exploring chiropractic care, you can tackle the underlying cause and enhance your overall well-being.
Adopting straightforward methods such as stretching exercises and ergonomic adjustments can substantially alleviate discomfort.
Managing shoulder pain is vital for sustaining an active lifestyle and averting additional complications. Keep in mind, that taking proactive measures today can pave the way for a healthier tomorrow!