Tips For Dealing With Shoulder Pain
Are you dealing with shoulder pain and not sure what to do about it? You'll want to follow these tips that will help you in some key areas for getting you back to normal.
Self-Care
The trick to reducing shoulder pain is through rest, ice, and exercise. Resting your shoulder can be done by avoiding actions that cause pain. This includes not raising your arm above your head and keeping your elbows near your side. You should also take breaks when working to avoid strain on the shoulder.
Using ice is going to promote healing by reducing inflammation, which will reduce the pain. You should be icing your shoulder several times a day during the early stages of shoulder pain to help give you some much-needed relief.
Gentle exercise, even when your shoulder is causing you pain, can help you get better. This includes stretching exercises that are not going to put too much stress on the shoulder and help move it.
Medication
Just taking medication is not going to solve your problem with shoulder pain, but it will help you out on the road to recovery. Try taking ibuprofen or naproxen to help deal with pain by taking them according to the instructions.
However, know that everyone should not be taking anti-inflammatory medications. If you are pregnant, take a blood-thinning medication, or have kidney problems, then you should avoid taking medications and stick to the self-care help that can reduce the pain.
Doctor Care
If you continue to have shoulder pain after several weeks, you'll want to see a doctor to see how they can help you with the pain. It is possible to give you a cortisone shot that will reduce pain and inflammation so that you can follow self-care tips at home. It can take several months for your shoulder to return to normal, so it is important to not be discouraged if you do not have immediate relief. Physical therapy is another option to help you regain the range of motion in your shoulder.
Know that surgery is only going to be done as a last resort to fix your shoulder pain. If you have been going to physical therapy and trying the self-care techniques at home for several months, then your doctor will consult with you about potentially having surgery. You'll want to know all the potential risks of shoulder surgery before you decide to move forward.
For more information on shoulder pain treatment, contact a company like Sports and Orthopedic Specialists.