Shoulder Pain: Causes, Treatment Options & When to See a Doctor

There can be many reasons for shoulder pain in this hectic and fast-paced life. From overuse of your arms to heavy weight lifting, sprains, stress in your shoulders due to prolonged duration of work and many more. Hence, the treatment for shoulder pain also varies based on the causal effect. From home remedies to drugs and physiotherapy, you can speak to a healthcare professional.

Here’s more on different kinds of shoulder pain, shoulder pain reasons, and a cure for the same.

Left Shoulder Pain

Left shoulder pain shows up due to various reasons like muscle strain, rotator cuff issues, or underlying heart ailments. Prompt medical evaluation can help you pinpoint the cause and find the ideal treatment for the situation

Left Shoulder Pain Causes

Here are some common causes of left shoulder pain:

Arthritis: There can be wear and tear of the cartilage in the shoulder region. Inflammation, stiffness and decreased range of motion can cause discomfort and pain.
Rotator Cuff Issue: With the inflammation of the tendons in the muscle region, there can be a complete tear of the rotator cuff muscles. As a result, one can experience shoulder pain. Sometimes, due to compression of the rotator cuff tendons, tingling is accompanied by pain.
Muscle Strain: Injury of the muscles is common when you overuse your arms in continuous work like typing, lifting weights, stirring and more.
Referred Sain: This is pain originating from other areas and then spreading to your arms. It could be due to cardiac issues.
Frozen Shoulder: With inflammation in the tissues and thickening of the same, acute shoulder pain is often experienced. This also leads to stiffness and difficulty conducting work.

Right Shoulder Pain

Right shoulder pain can stem from sprains to various other underlying causes. From arthritis to referred pain, it ranges from mild to severe. Shoulder pain deserves immediate attention as prolonged aches can create hindrance and discomfort in your daily activities.

Right Shoulder Pain Causes

Here is a list of right shoulder pain causes:

Rotator Cuff Issues: Inflammation in the tendons is often the reason behind acute aches in the shoulders.
Bursitis: Inflammation in the bursa, which is a fluid-filled sac in the shoulder joints, can lead to pain and a condition called Bursitis.
Shoulder Sprain or Dislocation: One can experience severe shoulder pain due to the dislocation of bones and joint issues. Fractures of bones require immediate attention.
Arthritis: Wear and tear in the muscles and joints can lead to stiffness, cramps and extreme discomfort. One can also experience shoulder pain due to rheumatoid arthritis, which can lead to inflammation.
Frozen Shoulder: Movement becomes painful with the stiffness of the muscles in the shoulder region.
Referred Pain: Pain originating in the neck, upper back and heart can radiate to other parts of the body, like the shoulders.

Shoulder Pain Exercises

There is a range of shoulder pain exercises, as suggested by experts, based on your degree of discomfort. For acute aches, one opts for light movement lest they get hurt more. Arm circling or shoulder blade squeezes, cross-body stretches, and wall slides provide relief in most cases. They help to reduce the tension on the muscles, tendons and cartilage and build flexibility.

Arm Circling Exercise: First, you need to stand on your feet, which are hip-width apart. Then, you need to make small circles with your arms, gradually increasing the diameter of the circle. If the pain is acute, be slow with the process.
Shoulder Squeezes: Start by standing with your arms at your side. Then you need to stand straight and squeeze both your shoulder blades together for a few seconds and then relax your arms.
Cross-Body Exercise: This exercise can be conducted by either sitting or standing, whichever is comfortable for you. Use your good arm to lift the opposite elbow and bring your injured arm across your body, wrapping yourself. Use gentle pressure to stretch your arms criss-cross.
Wall Slides: You need to stand facing the wall and then place both your palms on the wall, but your thumbs should be facing you. Slide your arms up and down a few times.

When to See a Doctor?

If shoulder pain persists beyond a few days, worsens with movement, or is accompanied by swelling, numbness, or chest pain, seek medical help immediately. A timely diagnosis can prevent further complications and speed up recovery.

Conclusion

There can be various reasons for shoulder pain from sudden accidents to sprain, and other joint issues. Identifying the cause and seeking therapy or medication can help you deal with severe and prolonged discomfort in the arms.

If you’re experiencing persistent shoulder pain, consult the best ortho doctor in Lucknow for an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan.

You may also read: What is the Most Common Type of Arthritis?