Your shoulders are important joints that play a role in many of the motions you make with your arms. Pain in the shoulder can limit the use of your arm. This makes it important to find relief for shoulder pain as soon as possible.
Some conditions that cause shoulder pain require medical treatment. Others can benefit from some simple home treatments. Either way, you can get a jumpstart on your treatment by following these three tips for relieving shoulder pain:
1. Ice
Many instances of shoulder pain are accompanied by swelling and inflammation. You can reduce both by applying ice or a cold pack to the shoulder.
Wrap a bag of ice or a cold pack in a towel and apply it to the shoulder for about 15 minutes. Don’t ice for much longer than this because you can cause the blood vessels in your shoulder to constrict. You can reapply the ice to your shoulder after waiting for an hour. Do this a few times a day for a couple of days.
You can switch to heating for an extra-soothing sensation after the swelling and inflammation have gone down.
2. Compress
Wrapping your shoulder in a compression bandage can help reduce swelling and promote the movement of fluids in and out of the shoulder. Use a compression bandage you can find in most convenience stores or athletic stores. Wrap the compression bandage starting at the point on your shoulder closest to your heart, moving away toward your hand.
Do not wrap too tightly or you may constrict blood flow in your shoulder and arm. You can tell if you’re wrapping too tightly if your pain increases or if your arm starts tingling and feeling numb.
3. Take it easy
When your shoulder is in pain, you have to rest. This can be difficult for active people like athletes, but pushing yourself too hard can result in a more serious condition. As your shoulder begins to feel better, some gentle stretches and exercises can help improve its condition and prevent future pain. Do not stretch or exercise your shoulder if doing so causes pain.
Visit the iRISE Spine and Joint Institute for shoulder pain treatment
If you try any of the above treatments at home and aren’t finding relief for your shoulder pain, you may need professional treatment. Our team at the iRISE Spine and Joint Institute can treat shoulder pain with chiropractic care and orthopedic surgery. We can examine your shoulder and determine what kind of treatment will be best for you. Contact us today to learn more about shoulder pain treatment or to schedule an initial appointment.
