Shoulder pain can be a cause of great discomfort, especially when it is recurring. Shoulder joints are some of the most important (and indeed most used) joints in the human body, which also makes them prone to aches and pains. If you are experiencing the likes, then there is a variety of home remedies you can use to get rid of recurring shoulder pain.
Shoulder pain is often caused by injuries to muscles, ligaments and tendons due to over-exertion or violent impacts. Recurring shoulder pain can be a manifestation of conditions such as shoulder impingement syndrome (subacromial pain syndrome). This condition causes muscles around the shoulder joint to compress, causing recurring pain, or discomfort during specific shoulder movements.
Luckily, there are many remedies you can try at home to relieve shoulder pain.
1. Hot and cold
Pain is often caused by tense muscles in the body. Applying gentle heat to the effected area dilates the blood vessels, increasing blood flow through the area and helping ease up the pain. You can use a hot towel, water bottle, or even take a hot shower/bath to the same effect.
If you notice swelling or inflammation in your shoulder muscles, it was probably caused by an injury. As soon as you get the injury or start to feel the pain, put some ice wrapped around in a cloth against the inflamed area. This should help reduce the inflammation and provide instant relief.
2. Get a massage
Seek out a good massage therapist and have them give you a complete shoulder and back workup. A deep tissue massagecan help a great deal in “untying” and relaxing stressed out muscles. Visit a spa perhaps and get a great, therapeutic bath as well.
3. Exercise
Recommending exercises has become somewhat of a cliché, yet the importance of one can never be underestimated. Stretch out your arm and shoulder muscles for 5-10 minutes multiple times a day. Consult with a trainer on what the best workout routine could be for treating shoulder pain. You can also make use of certain apps to the same effect. Injurymap is one such app that creates a custom workout plan for you and treats your muscular pain through exercise training.
4. Electrical therapy
No, we’re not talking about shocking your pain away. Electrical therapy is a relatively new concept and has shown quite a bit of promise in proving short-term relief. A TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) therapy machine can be used for treating shoulder pain.
TENS involves a small electrical device that generates a low-voltage electric current and passes it through the skin with the help of electrodes that are placed on pain points. This current stimulates the nerves under the skin, which then send ‘haywire’ signals to the brain. This confuses the brain and diverts attention away from normal pain perception in the target area, thus providing temporary relief.
A TENS machine is portable and can be kept at home. It should not be relied upon heavily, however.
5. Muscle relaxants
Muscle relaxants and tropical creams can provide a very instant and satisfying ease-up of muscle pain within the shoulders. Some of these creams and ointments create hot or cold sensations, having different effects. However, they are all common in that they penetrate deep through the skin and provide instant relief. Try out different products until you find one that works best for you.
Other measures such as a compression therapy can help keep recurring shoulder pain at bay. A compression wrap straightens vein support and increases blood flow, thus reducing swelling and the subsequent shoulder pain.
Say goodbye to shoulder pain
Never take your health for granted, and never dismiss any sort of pain in your body (especially shoulders) no matter how mild. It could well be the precursor to a much more severe pain, so start treating it as soon as possible. Managing pain with home remedies can help you stay in shape and avoid visits to the doctor. However, you should not swear off your physician altogether. If your shoulder pain is recurring and will not go away even after applying all these remedies, then maybe it could be caused by something much more serious such as arthritis.
Always consult with a doctor regularly, and stay healthy!