Expert advice on making the discomfort go away
Feel a sharp twinge in your shoulder as you reach for a container on a kitchen shelf? A dull ache while sliding your arm into a shirtsleeve?
It’s not surprising that shoulder pain sends millions of Americans
to the doctor each year. Shoulders are a complicated combination of
joints, tendons, and muscles, responsible for a wide range of arm
motions.
But when can at-home pain relief strategies suffice, and when do you
need more help? Here, some important information to help you make that
decision.
Causes of Shoulder Pain
Sometimes the reason is obvious, such as a fall that causes a fracture, dislocation, or a tendon tear. But often shoulder pain comes on gradually and becomes chronic.
In older adults, that’s usually due to osteoarthritis
(OA)—when the protective cartilage between bones wears away—or, says
Anand Murthi, M.D., chief of shoulder and elbow surgery at MedStar Union
Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, due to chronic rotator cuff problems.
(This group of muscles and tendons keeps your upper arm in the shoulder
socket.)
Handling Moderate Shoulder Pain
If you have tolerable pain,
stiffness, or soreness, take a break from lifting heavy items or doing
activities that require a lot of shoulder rotation, like reaching
overhead. Use an over-the-counter (OTC) drug, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol and generic) or ibuprofen (Advil and generic), if needed. Stretching can help. (See the examples here.)
2 Stretches for Shoulder Pain: Three to 5 minutes of gentle
stretching each day can help ease moderate pain, says a New York
physiatrist, Michael Mizhiritsky, M.D. He recommends the following:
Wall Walk: Stand facing a wall so that your fingers can just
touch it, and slowly walk your fingers up it until you feel a gentle
stretch in the back of your shoulders. Hold for 15 to 30 seconds; repeat
two to four times. (See illustration below, left.)
Elbow Pull: While standing or seated, grab your left arm at
the elbow with your opposite hand. Gently pull your left arm up and
across your body. Hold for 15 to 30 seconds. Switch arms. Repeat two to
four times with each arm. (See illustration below, right.)
When to See a Doctor
Seek emergency care for a possible heart attack if you have sudden shoulder pain with lightheadedness; nausea, chest, jaw, or back pain; or weakness or numbness in an arm.
Severe pain from a fall or other accident also warrants medical attention.
Consider seeing your doctor if self-treatment brings no improvement
in two to four weeks. A description of symptoms and their effect (such
as waking you at night) and a physical exam can help your doctor
determine the source.
A popping or crunching sound when you rotate your shoulder may
signify arthritis. The inability to resist even gentle pressure with
your outstretched arm could mean a rotator cuff tear.
Your doctor may recommend continuing at-home treatments, steroid injections, or physical therapy
(PT). Steroid shots may reduce inflammation and pain short-term, but
it’s unclear whether they’re more effective than some OTC pain
relievers.
PT, a supervised exercise program, can be effective but may take a
month or more before you see substantial improvements, says Mizhiritsky,
who works at Lennox Hill Hospital in New York City.
What About Surgery?
Though some people with
severe OA may benefit from shoulder replacement surgery, rotator cuff
injuries can generally be treated nonsurgically, Murthi says.
“Surgery should be treated as a last resort for shoulder pain,” Mizhiritsky says.
Lindsey
Konkel is a New Jersey-based journalist and freelancer for Consumer
Reports reporting on health and science. She’s written for print and
online publications including Newsweek, National Geographic News, and
Scientific American.
See more at: Consumer Reports
See more at: Consumer Reports
