The treatment methods for shoulder pain would depend on the causes of the same. This article provides some information about the treatment methods available so as to get relief from this pain.

Pain in the shoulders is one of the most common problems experienced by many. It is usually due to bad posture, some form of injury, or repeated use of the shoulder muscles. The injuries range from life-threatening ones like cardiac arrest to tendonitis, bursitis, degenerative arthritis, whiplash injury, and frozen shoulder. Before the health care practitioner recommends the treatment, he/she would first have to understand the cause of the pain.

Frozen Shoulder Treatment

When a person is affected by this condition, the shoulder joint becomes stiff and painful. A dull, aching pain, along with an inability to raise the hand are some of the symptoms of a frozen shoulder. Anti-inflammatory medications can help ease the pain, but these provide only temporary relief. The best treatment is to perform some shoulder stretching exercises. These exercises should be done under the guidance of a therapist and it is very important that they should be done regularly. Application of heat pads or even a hot towel application would provide considerable relief from the pain.

Treatment for Chronic Shoulder Pain

Chronic pain in the shoulders might be a symptom of something more serious, and it should not be neglected. It is best to consult a physician immediately for the best treatment that is suitable for your condition. However, here are some methods of treatment for temporary relief from the pain.

Rest
The most common cause of this pain is the stress to the shoulder muscles, as a result of working for long hours. To combat this, it is best to give the body some rest. This would help to heal the muscles of the shoulders. Providing rest to the shoulders for two to three days, with lesser shoulder movements, and then, slowly easing it with regular exercises, is one of the best treatments.

Shoulder Exercises
After restricting the movement of the shoulders for two to three days, it is advisable to start with some shoulder exercises. The therapist can provide guidance on the type of exercises that can be performed to ease the pain. Many affected people try not to use the shoulder muscles at all, when suffering from severe pain, however, doing this is counter productive as it weakens the muscles of the shoulders making it more prone to surgery.

Ice Packs
Applying ice to the affected area is one of the best way to treat shoulder pain. However, do not apply it directly to the skin. Place the ice in a plastic bag and secure the mouth of the bag with an elastic band. Wrap the bag with a medium-sized towel, and then apply it to the shoulders for 10 to 15 minutes every hour.

Anti-Inflammatory Medicines
For the affected people who are in need of an instant or quick relief, the use of anti-inflammatory medicines might prove beneficial. Medicines such as aspirin, naproxen, ibuprofen are effective in providing relief from this pain.

The aforementioned treatment methods when followed, might prove beneficial. However, it is necessary to consult the concerned doctor to avoid any further complications.

Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.