The Cause of Shoulder Pain and the Available Noninvasive Treatment Options

The Cause of Shoulder Pain and the Available Noninvasive Treatment Options

Do you have chronic or acute shoulder pain? This could be due to an injury caused by doing repetitive tasks or from trauma, among other things. Shoulder pain can be debilitating and prevent you from doing your daily tasks and the things that give you joy. Luckily, Upper Extremity Specialists can address your problem to enable you to enjoy life without the discomfort that comes with pain by using noninvasive treatment plans.  Noninvasive treatment options work by enhancing your body’s natural healing capabilities and have no downtime.

Common Causes of Shoulder Pain

You can suffer acute shoulder pain due to an injury caused by sudden events such as a fall or being hit by an object.  Chronic shoulder pain can be due to natural attrition, disease, or muscle tension due to repetitive use.  Below are some causes of shoulder pain:

Osteoarthritis

Aging causes the cartilage to wear off. This causes your bones to rub against each other on the joints, leading to pain and swelling. Osteoarthritis can be crippling if not addressed in good time.

Rotator Cuff Injury

This occurs when the tendons that link your shoulder bones and muscles become torn; it becomes painful to raise your arm.

Bursitis and Frozen Shoulder

An injury can cause inflammation to the fluid-filled sac found in your shoulder joint. This causes swelling, tenderness, and pain in your upper arm. It may be hard for you to do simple things, such as combing your hair. Adhesive capsulitis causes the tissues in your shoulder to rub, which leads to limited mobility and range of motion, pain and swelling. 

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

You can experience some pain when you attempt to move your shoulder to your side or raise your arm. Impingement is a major cause of shoulder pain, and it occurs when the top of the arm gets stuck on the acromion bone. Impingement can lead to inflammation during the early stages, and rotator cuff injury if you fail to seek treatment in time. Visit your doctor for tests and treatment whenever you feel that your shoulder has a limited range of motion, to prevent the condition from progressing.   

Noninvasive Treatments for Shoulder Pain

After diagnosis, your doctor will recommend a treatment option that is best suited to your pain relief and health needs. We now look at some of the noninvasive treatment plans for shoulder pain.

Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (RICE)

This is the first line of defense against shoulder pain. Your doctor may immobilize your shoulder using a brace to enhance the outcome of your treatment.  

Physical Therapy

This involves low-impact strength exercises and gentle stretching to help reduce pain and restore the range of movement. Your physician will recommend the routine and intensity of training to avoid over-exercising.  

Regenerative Medicine and Steroid Injections

Platelet-rich plasma injections help in pain relief and kick-starting the body’s healing process. Regenerative medicine also speeds up healing in the damaged tissues. Low-dose steroid injections can also be used to relieve swelling and pain in the shoulder joint.

Do not allow shoulder pain to hinder your lifestyle. Schedule a visit to your doctor to learn more about non-invasive treatment plans.

 

 

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