7 Easy Ways to Ease Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain doesn’t sound all that grave. But it can affect your sleep quality, keep you from being fully rested, and limit the range of your movements. What can you do to fix the problem? Here are some suggestions on how you can deal with the situation. Find ways to relieve the pain as soon as possible.

Consider the Cause of the Problem

First off, determine what’s causing the problem? Is it the result of an injury? Some might be due to a medical condition like osteoarthritis. The treatment will depend on the cause. If it’s the result of an injury and you’re in recovery, then consult with your doctor to find out how you can cut back on the amount of pain you feel. If you’re not entirely sure what’s the problem, look for an expert. If your family doctor recommends that you look for an orthopedic surgeon in Adelaide, then that means you might have a condition that’s causing pain in your shoulder. Don’t hesitate to start looking for the right doctor as soon as possible. The sooner you consult with an expert, the sooner you can figure out what’s wrong and what steps you’ll need to take in the future.

Use Medication and Relaxants

If your shoulder pain is caused by muscle tension or spasms, then nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) will work. Aspirin and ibuprofen are two of the most common medications of this type. There are also prescription muscle relaxants that can help ease the symptoms you feel around the shoulder joint. However, these medications aren’t ideal for long-term use. Frequent intake of NSAIDs can lead to a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes. It can also lead to stomach problems and even kidney issues. You’ll want to consult with an orthopedic surgeon in Adelaide for other ways to control the symptoms.

Use Cold and Heat Therapy

The cold compress and heat therapy works in reducing the amount of swelling. It also helps numb a portion of the pain in your shoulder. To start, put an ice pack or frozen gel pack to your shoulder. Keep it there for twenty minutes. Do this up to five times a day. Make sure you don’t apply the pack to your skin directly, though, as that’s not comfortable. Instead, wrap the compress in a towel before you apply it to the area that’s hurting.

Go with Compression Bandages

A shoulder wrap or cold compression bandage or any other type of elastic bandage like the ACE bandage will work. It lessens the swelling and pain. However, be careful not to wrap the bandage too tightly over the area to the point that it might constrict the flow of blood to your shoulder. Check the fit of the bandage and adjust. If you’re not certain, consult with a doctor.

Consider Other Pain Medication

You can also achieve a measure of comfort when you use pain medication. There are aspirin and acetaminophen. Both can reduce the amount of pain in your shoulder. However, you’ll want to be careful about using these drugs all the time as they can lead to heartburn and an upset stomach. Those two are the major side-effects of using these pain relief medications. There are also pain relief topicals—gels and creams—that you can apply to those spots that can help reduce inflammation and pain. These won’t give you any side-effects, too.

Do Stretches and Exercises

While it might sound strange to engage in a movement when your shoulder is hurt, the right exercises and stretches can help you regain your full range of motion. Be sure to take the time to warm up, though, as unused muscles will be out of practice and will need to ease into the exercises. If doing the exercises only worsen your pain, though, stop right away.

See Your Doctor

If the discomfort persists, it might be time to make an appointment with your doctor. Pain in your shoulder as well as having any trouble breathing isn’t a good sign. It could be a heart attack instead of an injury. Seek out help right away. Get emergency help. Also, other symptoms that mean you need to see a doctor include having pain that medication and rest don’t cure, pain that occurs more than once, shoulder stiffness that limits your movements, or your shoulder has been dislocated. If it feels like your shoulder can slide out, then it’s been dislocated. Look for a doctor to find out what treatment is right for you.