Injury or disease to the shoulder is the major causes of shoulder pain. Injuries may affect any of ligaments, bursae or tendons which surround the shoulder joint. Injuries may also affect ligaments, cartilage, menisci (meniscus plural) and joint bones. The shoulder is designed in such a way that it can provide stability for mobility. As an extremely movable joint that plays a central role in the action of the main extremities, the shoulder is vulnerable to injury.
Common shoulder injuries can cause inflammation of the bursae (bursitis) or tendons (tendonitis or tendinitis) and can cause rupture of the rotor cuff with dysfunction, impingement, and also instability and frozen shoulder. Torn cartilage can also lead to labral tears. Fracture of the bones of the shoulder (such as from biking falls) can result in serious shoulder pain.
Usually, if you have a shoulder problem, such as pulled muscle or osteoarthritis when your shoulder is move, it can either alleviate the pain or make it worse. But in the event that what you have is referred shoulder pain, you will not feel any difference if you move your shoulder.
What are the Causes of Shoulder Pain?
Numerous factors and conditions can contribute to the shoulder pain. The most common cause is rotator cuff tendinitis. This is a condition marked with inflamed tendons. Another common cause of shoulder pain is an impingement syndrome, where a rotator cuff gets caught between the acromium (part of the scapula which covers the ball) and the humeral head (the ball part of the humerus).
Sometimes shoulder pain occurs as a result of injury to another part of the body, usually your neck or biceps. This is called referred pain. This type of pain doesn’t get worse when you move your shoulder.
Other causes of shoulder pain include several forms of arthritis, broken cartilage or a torn rotator cuff. Pain can also manifest as a result of an inflamed bursa (that covers shoulders) or tendons can also cause pain. A lot of individuals develop bone spurs, which are bony projections that develop along the edges of the bone.
Some other things that can cause pain include pinching a nerve in the neck of the shoulder or breaking the shoulders or arm bone. A frozen shoulder is formed when the tendons, ligaments, and muscles are tightened and become difficult or impossible to move. A dislocated shoulder is formed when the ball of the humerus comes out of the shoulder socket. Injuries due to excessive or recurrent use may cause injury. Serious conditions such as spinal cord injury or stroke may lead to shoulder pain.
Symptoms of Shoulder Pain
You can notice several types of pain:
• Acute pain under the scalpel
• Dull ache in the shoulder
• Pain that passes from the neck to the shoulder blade (or vice versa)
• In the shoulder, there will be stabbing, burning, tingling, or even feeling of an electric shock
Referred shoulder pain is often constant, which means that your shoulders will hurt even if you recline or not using your arm or shoulder. But it can come and go as well.
Shoulder Pain Treatment
Treatment for Shoulder Pain requires restoring the circulation and blood flow to the affected structures in your shoulder. Pain is caused when swelling, inflammation and decreased circulation generate a blockage, which causes blood flow to be interrupted or slowed. Treatment for this issue requires breaking up the accumulated fluids in your shoulder to allow for improved healing and quicker recovery.
Products recommended for symptoms of swelling, redness, pain, and inflammation, and if coolness makes your pain feel better:
Ice Substitute Poultice
Bruise Relief Liniment
Muscle Therapy Massage Oil
Products recommended when swelling and inflammation are gone, but you still feel pain, stiffness, weakness, and/or sensitivity in cold and damp weather, and if heat makes your pain feel better:
Pain Relief Liniment
Tendon and Ligament Poultice
Muscle Therapy Massage Oil
