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Whether you’re an athlete who threw out your shoulder working out, or a grandmother who strained their shoulder grabbing something from the pantry - shoulder pain is a common problem that affects people from all walks of life. Shoulder pain most often stems from damage to the cartilage, ligaments, muscles, nerves and tendons. When it comes to shoulder pain, the good news is that it’s often an easy fix with at-home treatments. In this blog post, learn more about some easy at home treatments for shoulder pain, courtesy of the Comprehensive Spine Center Of Dallas.
If you find yourself experiencing mild shoulder pain, like aching or swelling, anti-inflammatory medications are a great way to treat it. Often, shoulder pain is a result of inflammation of the muscle or cartilage, and standard over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen and naproxen can be an effective treatment. Check with your doctor before taking anti-inflammatory medications if you have underlying conditions like high blood pressure.
When you first sustain the injury, applying coolness to the shoulder, through creams or ice packs, can help reduce the swelling. Try filling a plastic bag with ice, and wrapping it in a thin towel - this can create a temporary, yet effective cold compress. Applying this coolness to the shoulder for up to ten minutes can relieve the initial swelling. On the other hand, if you find yourself sore and stiff after some time has passed since the injury, then adding heat to the shoulder can relieve muscle pain and stiffness. Warm showers, or a store-bought thermal gel or heating pad can be effective in combating shoulder pain. Keep in mind - with both cold and hot compresses, limit the exposure to the skin to no more than ten minutes. Keeping these compresses on for longer than ten minutes can lead to skin irritation and burning.
Regardless of how your injury was sustained, or what part of the body it was sustained on, one of the best tools for combating pain of any sort is to limit the use of that body part and rest. If the shoulder pain is a result of a repeated motion or movement, like shooting a basketball, then maybe it’s time to sit the games out for a couple of weeks. This allows the muscles, cartilage, or whatever part of your shoulder has been affected to heal and repair. While resting your shoulder, make sure to move the shoulder gently every so often. This keeps the shoulder muscles strong and flexible during your rest period.
For more acute, or mild shoulder pain then these at-home treatments can be a highly effective option. On the other hand, if you find the pain is severe, or lasts longer than 8 weeks, then it may be time to contact an expert. If you’re in the Dallas area, the Comprehensive Spine Center of Dallas is here for you. To learn more about how we can help treat your shoulder pain, give us a call at 214-782-9222 or contact us online.
