The shoulder is one of the most mobile joints in the human body. This joint has an astounding range of motion, which also makes the shoulder unstable and more prone to injury than any other joint. Chronic shoulder pain is extremely common, causing patients to have a limited ability to move freely and can also cause high levels of discomfort and pain.
The Interventional Spine & Pain Management physicians are here to help you overcome chronic shoulder pain once and for all! Let’s get right into our guide to shoulder pain relief.
About the Shoulder
The human shoulder is made up of a ball and socket joint that allows our arms to rotate either in a circular fashion or hinge out from the body.
Three bones: the clavicle (collarbone), scapula (shoulder blade) and the humerus (upper arm bone)
Muscles
Ligaments
Tendons
Cartilage
Chronic Shoulder Pain Basics – What’s the Cause
As we age, chronic shoulder pain becomes more and more common as the tissue surrounding the shoulder begin to deteriorate. General wear and tear of the shoulder joint over many years is a leading cause of chronic pain. Shoulder pain can also begin as result of injury—many times even an injury to the neck or back where pain can radiate throughout the shoulder. Other causes of chronic shoulder pain include:
Arthritis
Torn cartilage
Torn rotator cuff
Bone spurs
Pinched nerves in the neck or shoulders
Shoulder dislocation
Back or spinal injuries
Shoulder Pain Treatments
Like any other chronic pain condition, treatment will depend on the cause and severity of your shoulder pain. Our ISPM Physicians check for tenderness and swelling along with assessing your range of motion and joint stability. The most common medical treatments for chronic shoulder pain typically include one or a combination of the following:
Physical Therapy
Immobilization
Medications
Shoulder Injections
Surgery
There are also a variety of lifestyle adjustments to help treat chronic shoulder pain at home which include:
Rest
Shoulder friendly exercises and stretching
Ice or heat treatments
Improved posture
Limit overhead work or activities
If you’re experiencing pain that’s lasted longer than 2 weeks, seek professional help from the ISPM. Our team can help you to improve shoulder pain and stop future damage in its tracks.
ISPM Doctors
Putting off seeking treatment for your shoulder pain can lead to more serious problems and longer recovery times. Get in touch with the ISPM doctors today and get started with treatment.
Get in touch by clicking here or call us at 801-262-7246
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