The shoulder joints are the most mobile in the body, being able to perform complete rotations, and are very flexible in most people. However, this mobility means that these are the least stable joints in the body and the most vulnerable to pain. There are people who experience pain that is not focused on the shoulders and which are accompanied by additional symptoms, for example people who complain of pain in the left shoulder radiating to the arm. However, others may experience the pain only at specific times or when performing certain actions, such as those who experience shoulder pain when chest compressions. Of course, each such problem has its own cause, and it is important that everyone knows how to differentiate one from the other, and that he knows the most effective ways of treating shoulder pain.

Who is most vulnerable to shoulder pain?

Unlike various diseases in the body, anyone can suffer from shoulder pain at any age. However, there are problems that are typical for young people and problems that are more typical for adults. Pain in the shoulder while running, for example, is a problem that often exists in young people who engage in sports activities. This is in contrast to the problem of shoulder pain when lying down or at rest, which often occurs in adults who experience degenerative changes. Whether your problem is shoulder pain at night during sleep or during the day during activity, it is highly recommended that you treat it as soon as possible, before it gets worse and becomes more difficult to treat.

What are the causes of shoulder pain?

There are many reasons why you may suffer from pain or difficulty moving your shoulder. Some of them may even get worse over time and lead to additional health problems, so it is important to know them and treat them in time. Here are 8 common problems that lead to chronic shoulder pain:

1. Inflammation or rupture of the shoulder tendon

Have you started to feel pain in your shoulders after physical training? It could very well be shoulder tendonitis, or by its other name, shoulder impingement syndrome. In more serious cases, it may even be a tear in the tendon of the shoulder, and it is recommended not to ignore such pains and seek the help of a specialist to prevent them from getting worse.

2. A fracture around the shoulder

Fractures around the shoulder area, such as a fracture of the clavicle or a fracture resulting from a shoulder dislocation, also cause a feeling of pain in the shoulder when breathing deeply or when performing certain movements. If you have not diagnosed whether you are indeed suffering from a fracture, an X-ray or CT scan must be performed to verify this.

3. Shoulder bursitis

The bursa between the shoulder joints is filled with lubricating fluid that prevents contact between the joints of the shoulder. In the condition of bursitis, that sac is emptied of fluid, and this happens due to repeated movements made with the shoulders. As a result, the joints rub against each other, which creates pain in the shoulder when lifting the arm, for example. The pain can be so severe that it limits the movement of the shoulder.

4. Injury to the shoulder rotators

There are 4 muscles that connect the scapula to the humerus, and they are called shoulder rotator muscles. Their job, as their name suggests, is to move the arms back and forth in a circular motion. When performing such rotational movements regularly, the shoulder rotator muscles may be damaged. If you suffer from such a condition and do not treat it, you may experience very severe shoulder muscle pain, and even begin to suffer from posture problems.

5. Improper position of the shoulders

If you work in an office for many years and do not sit properly in front of the computer, it is very likely that you sometimes feel shoulder pain while resting or while performing certain actions. The reason for this is that your muscles shorten when you are not sitting upright in front of the computer, and over time this causes chronic pain. This is one of the most common causes today for shoulder pain.

6. Fibromyalgia

If no reason has been found that caused you to experience front or back shoulder pain, it may be that the reason is hidden. To diagnose fibromyalgia, you must consult a specialist to verify whether there are additional symptoms that are characteristic of it and in order to start treating it if necessary.

7. Herniated disc

Suffering from back shoulder pain? You may suffer from a herniated disc in the cervical vertebrae. In the case of a herniated disc, pressure is created on the nerves in the spine, which causes pain that sometimes radiates to the shoulders as well.

8. Ankylosing spondylitis

This problem exists mainly in men, and shoulder pain is not attributed exclusively to it. This is a problem that affects the whole body, but note that those who suffer from it usually do not complain of pain in the shoulder and radiating to the arm – such a problem may actually indicate a heart attack. It is an inflammation of the vertebrae of the spine, and it comes with a host of other symptoms such as lack of appetite, fatigue, low fever and especially knee pain in the morning as well as shoulder pain.

How do you treat severe shoulder pain?

There are a number of natural treatments that can be used for shoulder pain or frozen shoulder problems, depending on the type of pain and problem you are experiencing:

• Shock wave therapy: a non-invasive method to treat calcification or tendinitis. The waves penetrate about 35 mm under the skin of the area being treated and help reduce pain and increase blood flow.
• Treatment with electromagnetic pulses: this is also a non-invasive method, but in which a device is used that imposes a low and safe electromagnetic field on the affected area to heal the pain.
• Orthopedic accessories: a shoulder brace after dislocations or surgeries is a solution for efficient and successful rehabilitation. The shoulder brace adapts and fit itself anatomically to the shoulder in order to create maximum harmony for the shoulder structure.
• Osteopathy: in the case of shoulder pain, this treatment will be done with the help of moving the shoulder in a controlled manner by a professional therapist, along with various massage methods.
• Acupuncture: Acupuncture helps relieve pain, circulate the blood and calm the nervous system. The difference between Chinese and Japanese acupuncture is the size of the needles, while in the case of Japanese acupuncture the needles are thinner and finer.
• Physiotherapy: If it is necessary to strengthen the shoulder muscles or relieve shoulder pain, physiotherapy can help a lot, as it can also increase the range of motion of limited shoulders.
• Ointments: if you have muscle pain, you must apply a natural gel to soothe the pain. Please note that the paste must be used on the basis of materials only.

There are many other causes of shoulder pain, therefore it is important to contact a shoulder orthopedist so that he can examine, diagnose and offer treatment so that he does not suffer from chronic shoulder pain, and that there is no need to use painkillers in an uncontrolled manner.