If you’re experiencing aches and pains, don’t just ignore them. They’re your body’s way of saying that there’s something amiss!
If you do continue life as normal without addressing any twinges that manifest seriously over time, you may find yourself dealing with a significant injury that could take months to resolve.
One common cause of concern that people often come to see us here at Clear Physio for is shoulder pain. Here are just some of the more frequently asked questions that we hear from clients.
As ever, if you have any further questions or need any guidance or advice, get in touch with the team here to see how we can help.
What causes shoulder pain?
Common causes of shoulder pain include:
- Inflammation or tears in the tendons or rotator cuff muscles, often down to injury or overuse
- Arthritis
- Fractures in the shoulder blade, arm bones or collarbone
- Referred pain from the neck, heart or lungs
- Impingements, where the tendons are pinched between the bones when lifting the arm
How to decrease shoulder pain?
It can take a couple of weeks for shoulder pain to start to ease, but at-home remedies include:
- Staying active and moving the shoulder gently
- Using pain relief to encourage movement
- Hot and/or cold therapy
- Sitting with a cushion behind your lower back
- Rest your arm on a cushion when sitting
- Maintaining a straight back and good posture, with shoulders down and gently back
What is the best treatment for shoulder pain?
Your physio will devise a specific programme of exercises, but this could involve:
- Shoulder rolls
- Pendulum swings
- Stretches like Thread the Needle and Child’s Pose
How do I know if shoulder pain is serious?
Symptoms that shoulder pain is serious and needs immediate medical attention include:
- Sudden or severe pain
- Significant swelling
- Numbness or tingling
- Signs of infection, such as a hot/red/tender joint, coupled with chills or fever
