Shoulder pain and its treatment

18/03/2024

Did you know that the shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body? The very wide range of motion allows the arms to move in almost any direction, but it also makes the shoulders more susceptible to injury. Are you also suffering from shoulder pain, shoulder blade pain or pain between the shoulder blades? We can advise you on how to relieve the pain or even get rid of it altogether.

What does the shoulder consist of?

There are diverse causes for shoulder pain, including injuries, chronic conditions, and versatile range of motion discomfort.

Have you ever thought about what a shoulder is made of? The shoulder is made of four joints, namely the junction of the humerus and scapula, the clavicle and scapula, the clavicle and thorax, and the false junction of the scapula and thorax.

Each of these joints plays a significant role in arm movement. If any of the joints are damaged or injured, this will result in limited function of the shoulder and sharp pain.

What are the causes of shoulder pain?

It is not possible to say unequivocally what the cause of shoulder pain is, as there are many. For example, there may be dislocation of the shoulder, bone spurs in the shoulder area, nerve or tendon injuries or poor shoulder posture. The causes of pain vary based on where you feel the pain. So, let's take a closer look at what the most common causes of shoulder, scapular or interscapular pain are and what the possible treatments are.

Sharp pain in the shoulders themselves

There can be several causes of pain located in the shoulder, from injuries to chronic conditions and illnesses. Because the shoulder has a wide and versatile range of motion, if something in the shoulder is not working as it should, it limits the ability to move freely and causes significant discomfort. This may result in shoulder pain when lifting arm, at night, or during specific motions.

Often shoulder pain can be treated at home, but sometimes rehabilitation, medication, or even surgery is necessary.

Pain in the neck and shoulder radiating down the arm

Are you experiencing pain in your neck and shoulder, either left or right side, that shoots up into your arms? Cervical radiculopathy, which most people know as pinched nerves, is often to blame. The pain in this case is usually accompanied by changes in sensitivity, arm tingling and limitations in cervical spine mobility.

What will give you relief from the pain? Rest and dry compresses. On the other hand, you should avoid stretching the affected area, which can aggravate the condition and lead to chronic neck and shoulder pain.

Pain in the shoulder blades

The origins of shoulder blade pain is commonly stemming from pulled muscles.

Pain in the right or left shoulder blade can also have a variety of causes, but the most common cause is pulled muscles. In most cases, scapular pain is not severe. How is scapular pain different from shoulder pain or pain between and under the shoulder blades? By being localized to the scapular area or the muscles and musculoskeletal tissues that support them.

Treatment of scapular pain depends on the cause. However, rest, cold compresses or gentle stretching and massage can help.

Pain between the shoulder blades

Pain or stinging between or under the shoulder blades is one of the common reasons why people choose to see a physiotherapist. Again, it can have several causes, which determine the subsequent treatment. The most common causes include damage to the musculature of the spine, narrowing or prolapse of the intervertebral discs and blockages of the spine and ribs.

Treatment of shoulder pain

As the above paragraphs already show, shoulder pain can affect the shoulders themselves as well as the shoulder blades or the area between the shoulder blades. There can be several causes of pain and treatment depends on the cause and severity of the shoulder pain.

Relieve shoulder pain with home remedies or seek medical attention for severe and persistent cases.

While sometimes the pain can be relieved at home, for example by cooling the painful area, performing shoulder exercises for pain, or using over-the-counter gels and creams such us Mobilat^®Gel and Cream, in severe cases surgery is the only solution. If the pain persists for more than a week, is very intense and limits your daily activities, do not hesitate to seek medical attention.

Read more about back pain treatment and lower back pain treatment.