What are some of the tips for shoulder pain relief?

1. Apply a cold or hot compress
2. Try over-the-counter pain medications
3. Stretch your body
4. Strike a balance between rest and activities
5. Practice good body posture
6. Seek chiropractic care

  Is there anyone in the world that has never experienced some kind of shoulder pain at a point in their life? That situation is very unlikely. Whether you’re experiencing a slight tightening sensation or intense numbness in the shoulder area, you may want to learn about tips for shoulder pain. Our shoulders are one of the most mobile joints in the body. Surrounded by numerous tendons and nerves, it functions with a wide range of motion. If you didn’t know, that very same complexity makes it vulnerable to pain and injury. Who knew that putting on your clothes or brushing your hair could be a challenge? If left untreated, shoulder pain can make even the easiest tasks seem hard to do. With that being said, we’ve rounded up a few tips for relieving shoulder pain.  

Apply A Cold or Hot Compress

The most common cause of shoulder pain is known as rotator cuff tendinitis. Swollen tendons are what characterizes this condition. Get an ice pack and place it over your shoulders. Cold compresses help reduce swelling through numbing. Leave it in place for up to 20 minutes. On the other hand, heat packs help relax the tense muscles as well. Remember that if you don’t have a heated gel pad, you can always fill a bottle with hot water.  

Try Pain Medications

If you are seeking an instant solution, simple painkillers such as paracetamol, ibuprofen tablets, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can help ease shoulder pain. These are widely available in local pharmacies and shopping malls. However, you must remember to seek medical advice before taking these medications. If you don’t already know, taking pain killers for a long period of time can cause chronic liver damage and heartburn.  

Stretch Your Body

Try doing different body stretches such as the pendulum stretch. Do this by simply standing and slightly bending your body. Let the affected arm side hang straight down. Keep your neck relaxed and swing your arm in small circles. Or, perform the cross-body reach. Whether you’re sitting or standing, use your arm and cross it to lift the affected shoulder across your body. While you’re doing this, exert a bit of pressure and hold the position. These simple stretches can help increase your motion range and improve flexibility.  

Strike A Balance Between Rest And Activities

A person can injure his or her shoulder quite easily. It doesn’t matter if you are a gym lover who loves exercising, a painter who tries to perfect different brush strokes, or an office worker who spends hours behind the computer. Everyone is prone to experience shoulder pain. This is especially true for athletes who engage in physical sports. With this being said, the most obvious tip is to strike the perfect balance between rest and activities. Don’t overexert your body and try to avoid repeating the movements that really hurt you. Doing so will stop your shoulders from getting stiff.  

Practice Good Body Posture

Check your own posture. You might be sitting for prolonged periods of time in a hunched position or walking while slouching. Poor posture disrupts your body’s natural curves and it puts excessive amounts of pressure on your spine. Once this happens, you can suffer not only from shoulder pain, but neck pain, headaches, and back pain as well. There’s a good reason behind the timeless advice of “Stand up straight” and “Don’t slouch”. If you practice good body posture, you just might relieve your shoulder pain.  

Seek Chiropractic Care

It’s true that common shoulder pain should occur for only a short period of time. However, when a person experiences intense pain, it may indicate an even more complex condition such as bulging discs or spinal stenosis. In case of unbearable shoulder pain, seek chiropractic care as soon as possible. Once you schedule a visit with a professional chiropractor, you will be asked for your medical history and a diagnostic test such as an x-ray or MRI. This is the first step in helping the practitioner identify the core of your problem. Since your shoulder can move out of alignment, chiropractic adjustments are highly effective in treating the pain. This is where your chiropractor will use their hands or a small tool to apply a sudden yet controlled force to your shoulders.  

Key Takeaway

If you’re looking for tips for shoulder pain, we’ve listed the six most effective ones above. Remember not to neglect your shoulder pain symptoms as this can signify other serious conditions. It would be wise to get it checked by your local chiropractor. At Chiropractor Philippines, we offer a variety of shoulder pain treatment services that are sure to ease your suffering. With years of expertise and knowledge, our team is dedicated to helping you. If you want to learn more about our services, click here.