Shoulder Specialists in Moncton - Find Long-Term Relief,
Shoulder Pain: A Comprehensive Overview
The shoulder joint is responsible for versatile movements of the upper limb. Any upper limb pathology can lead to a severe disability that can restrict you from continuing your everyday tasks.
SYMPTOMS
Shoulder pain is usually deep, sometimes called a catching ache. Occasionally, it radiates to your fingers with pins and needle sensations. The pain is typically present on the front and back of the shoulder and the upper arm. Activities such as using hands above the head or behind the back worsen the pain.
Also, you can feel a giveaway of joint besides weakness of the upper arm associated with shoulder dislocation. Acute shoulder injuries take weeks to heal; however, the chronic problem may persist for more than four weeks.
SYMPTOMS THAT REQUIRE URGENT CARE
It’s worrisome if you’re experiencing the following symptoms: bruised shoulder, high-grade fever, no movements at the shoulder joint, tenderness and warmth over the joint, or pain that lasts more than a few weeks.
Sudden left shoulder pain accompanied by shortness of breath, jaw or neck ache, dizziness, and excessive sweating can be alarming signs of a heart attack. If you’re having any signs of a heart attack, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Other significant risk factors for shoulder pain may be linked to gastrointestinal and lung problems.
CAUSES
There are various causes of shoulder pain. Some of the common ones are:
- Arthritis
- Bursitis
- Bony spurs
- The fracture of the shoulder girdle
- Overuse injury of the bicep muscle
- Shoulder joint subluxation or dislocation
- Frozen Shoulder
- Supraspinatus tendonitis
- Rotator cuff tendons tear
- Axillary nerve injury
- Upper cross syndrome
- Faulty posture and body mechanics
Specific disorders are not diagnosed timely by many healthcare providers. We at MANCUSO CLINIC attempt to find the exact cause behind our patient’s symptoms. This gives us the upper hand to treat the condition correctly, which results in good outcomes and the prevention of chronic health complications.
RISK FACTORS
Repetitive overhead or behind-the-back activities, heavy work demands, and extensive computer usage commonly contribute to the onset of shoulder pain. However, various lifestyle behaviors, such as alcohol usage, smoking, physical inactivity, sleep disorders, and other diseases, can also increase your risk of shoulder pain. In addition, abnormal hormonal levels, genetics, depression, and anxiety may lead to shoulder joint disorders.
PREVENTION
Avoiding aggravating factors is the key to preventing shoulder pain. Maintaining a well-balanced diet and a proper body posture will diminish the chances of shoulder pain reoccurrence. Designing your work environment as per body mechanics will be of help.
Practicing light exercises to build shoulder girdle muscles is the ideal way to mobilize your upper arm. In addition, do not strain your neck and shoulder muscles while in front of a computer. Take breaks and do stretches to increase circulation of your shoulder joint that resists injuries.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
The intervention of shoulder joint pain is mainly done by pain management; however, the key is identifying the underlying cause. Since many causes can lead to shoulder pain, at our clinic, we believe that finding the root cause of an individual’s pain is the best way to structure treatment protocols and treatment regimes.
Osteopathy care increases shoulder joint mobility and decreases the muscle tightness associated with shoulder injuries. Massage therapy and Gua Sha therapy also offer positive outcomes and can rejuvenate tissue regeneration by increasing circulation of the affected area and subsiding inflammation. In chronic cases, however, surgery is the only option to cure the condition.
WHAT’S NEXT?
It is crucial to understand that once you develop shoulder pain, you are prone to its recurrence. It can also make you susceptible to musculoskeletal conditions such as frozen shoulder and supraspinatus tendonitis. That is why it is recommended to maintain adequate posture, body mechanics, and physical activity by performing rehabilitative exercises to prevent relapses of shoulder pain.
