While you may not think much about your shoulders, you will likely do so if they're in pain. Moreover, as you age, you may find that shoulder pain becomes more common. If you need help, our chiropractic care professional at Brainard Chiropractic in Fremont can treat shoulder pain due to a sports injury, car accident injury, and more. You can use these remedies to treat shoulder pain at home.
Causes of Shoulder Pain
You may not always know the cause of your pain. In some cases, other parts of your body may have issues that can lead to shoulder pain. Disc herniations and arthritis are neck problems that can play a role in causing shoulder pain. Some other causes include:
- Rotator cuff tendinitis or bursitis
- Shoulder separation
- Broken shoulder bone
- Poor shoulder posture
- Shoulder joint arthritis
- Shoulder dislocation
- Abnormal shoulder movement from nerve injury
- Frozen shoulder
Rest Can Be Best
Firstly, it's important to change or stop doing the activity that caused your pain. For the next few days, be sure to rest your shoulder. Additionally, gently moving your shoulder aids in maintaining flexibility and strength.
Apply a Cold Compress
To reduce sharp pain and swelling, try a cold compress. You can press a bag of frozen peas or a frozen gel pack to your shoulder. Do this no more than five times per day for 20 minutes at a time. Instead of applying the cold compress directly to the skin, wrap it in a soft towel before use.
Do Stretches and Exercises
You can improve flexibility and strength by doing regular stretches and exercises. Before performing stretches and exercises, it's important to warm up first by taking a warm shower or doing gentle shoulder rolls. Moreover, paying attention to your form while exercising can prevent shoulder problems from worsening. Remember, if the exercises you perform cause additional pain, stop doing them. You may be starting to exercise too soon after your injury occurred.
When to Contact a Professional
There are several reasons to call a professional, such as shoulder swelling, experiencing redness or fever, the shoulder skin appearing blue or red, or if the pain lasts for more than two to four weeks even after trying home remedies. If your injury is severe and your shoulder is bleeding, bruised, painful, or swollen, head to the hospital emergency room. Sudden pain in your left shoulder can be a symptom of a heart attack, so calling 911 is necessary.
Consider Chiropractic Care
If you're unsure about what to do next, Dr. Brainard at Brainard Chiropractic in Fremont can help. Call our team today at (402) 727-8668 or reach us through our website by using our online contact form.