Shoulder Pain

Common Causes of Shoulder Pain

Most people experience shoulder pain at some point in their lives. It can be a symptom of a minor issue, or it can indicate a more serious problem. Sore muscles is the most common reason, usually from everyday wear and tear, or the overuse of one side of the body. Shoulder pain can also be caused by aging or from an injury.

Shoulder joints are responsible for helping the shoulders to move in different directions. The shoulder consists of a ball and socket joint that connects to three different bones. These are the humerous or the upper arm bone, the clavicle or collar bone, and the scapula or shoulder blade. These bones are held together by muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Living with Shoulder Pain

The shoulder joint has a more extensive range of motion than any other in the human body. For this reason, it’s more likely to be injured. Sudden or acute injuries are often the most common reasons for shoulder pain. This may have been caused by a direct blow to the shoulder, or from twisting around in the wrong direction. Pain usually begins by being sudden and severe. There may also be swelling or bruising at the site.

There may also be damage to the shoulder’s nerves or blood vessels. These can cause numbness, tingling, cold feelings, or weakness.

Overuse injuries are another cause of shoulder pain. These can accumulate over time, until one day it’s noticed that there is excessive pain in the shoulders. Repetitive stress injuries can cause inflammation of the fluid sacs that cushion and lubricate the joint regions between one bone and another.

There may also be tendinitis, which is inflammation within the tough fibers that connect the muscles to the bones. The most common spot for inflammation is along the groove where the tendon goes over the humerus and attaches to the shoulder joint.

Other types may include muscular strains or frozen shoulder where movement is limited.

Treatment Options for Shoulder Pain

Treatment for shoulder pain begins with first aid treat. Medication may be prescribed, along with physical therapy treatments. Rest is always a part of getting better too. Shoulder pain treatment plans can be based on the location, severity, and type of shoulder injury. They may also be based on how long the patient has been suffering the injury. It may also depend on your age, other health conditions, and how active or inactive you are during your daily life.