Shoulder Pain

Overview

If you're having shoulder pain, you shouldn't worry immediately. It's a common symptom that can result from a variety of conditions. You can be a healthy person of any age with an injured tendon or rotator cuff. In any case, as with many other common symptoms, you shouldn't diagnose yourself. Your shoulder is incredibly flexible and unstable, so it is easy to overuse. Make sure that you take precautions against additional injury.

Shoulder pain could occur from nerve problems or back problems. If you have a pinched nerve, you might feel it in your shoulder. If you are having gallbladder, liver, or hear problems, you might also experience nerve pain. You might have an injured or dislocated shoulder blade.

Your pain might be sudden or it might be slow and gradual. If your pain is severe, or if it worsens, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. If you experience shooting pains, then you could be showing symptoms of a damaged or pinched nerve. If you are worried at all, then you should see a doctor as soon as possible. No matter the case, do not try to diagnose your own condition. If you've experienced similar pain in the past, then you may have a chronic condition. You may be able to diagnose your pain based on your chronic condition, but be careful-you don't want to overlook a new, worsening, or more serious condition. With chronic conditions, you also want to make sure that you are not developing arthritis.

Frozen shoulder is a condition that results when you can't move your shoulder due to injury or pain. Progressive, worsening, and chronic diseases can cause frozen shoulder. Joint lubricants also cease production, and it becomes difficult to move the shoulder. The people at highest risk have had problems with diabetes, arthritis, and heart conditions. It is a slowly developing condition-not something that happens instantly.

Another common problem is tendinitis. Tendons connect your muscle to bones. Over time, your tendons degenerate and become weaker. Tendons could tear of you overexert your range of motion. Rotator cuff injuries result from damaged tendons.

Treatment

You need a precise and accurate diagnosis to effectively treat your shoulder pain. You can start by visiting your primary care physician who will refer you to an orthopedic specialist, if necessary.

You may need to undergo a series of physical exams. The doctor will look at your pain site and touch the area to determine whether something is visibly or physically wrong. You may need X-rays, MRIs, or blood tests to further assess what is causing you pain. If the doctor suspects a pinched nerve, you might need an electromyogram (EMG) to test whether your nerves are functioning properly. If you have nerve damage, it is not necessarily permanent. There may be treatments available to stop or reverse the problems.

To treat symptoms, you might need an over the counter or prescription pain medication, depending on the severity of your pain. You can also alleviate pain by applying ice to your shoulder. Your doctor might encourage you to take certain dietary supplements.

Depending on the reason for and extent of your pain, you might require surgery or physical therapy. You might need to wear a brace or change your habits with exercise and posture. Your treatments might give you a cure, or they may be helpful for pain management.