The shoulder is one of the body’s most mobile joints that allows you to perform upper body movements and numerous tasks of daily life. Pain and swelling in the shoulder, whether mild or severe, can make you irritable, affect your ability to lift things, and decrease your overall performance.
Living with shoulder pain is not fun, and there are many ways you can find relief from shoulder pain and get back to your daily activities.
Let’s talk about some tips you can follow to find relief from shoulder pain and where you can go for a thorough evaluation and treatment of your shoulder pain in Johnson County, Kansas.
Tip #1 Ice Your Shoulder
An ice pack or cold compress can be a great way to get some relief regardless of the kind of shoulder pain you are having. Cooling reduces swelling in the shoulder and numbs the sharp pain.
You can apply ice to your painful shoulder for up to 20 minutes. Remember not to apply ice directly on your shoulder skin as it can cause frostbite. Instead, wrapthe ice in a soft towel before applying.
Tip #2 Take Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Medications
The over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) can relieve your pain and lower your inflammation. You can take NSAIDs for shoulder pain relief, including aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. Do not take NSAIDs for a longer period, as these can damage your digestive system lining.
Analgesics (painkillers) such as acetaminophen can also help relieve your shoulder pain.
Tip #3 Take Plenty of Rest andModify Your Activities
One of the best ways to find pain relief is simply taking rest. This is because if you keep pushing your shoulder and lifting heavy objects, your pain won’t disappear but increase. However, if you will take rest and give your shoulder some time to heal, your pain will definitely reduce.
It’s important to gently move your shoulder from time to time to keep the shoulder muscles strong and flexible during rest.
If you notice that you feel pain while doing a certain activity or it increases your pain, refrain from doing that activity or modify the activity.
Tip #4 Apply Heat
If you think your shoulder pain is due to tensed muscles and shoulder stiffness, apply heat. Heat therapy can relax tensed muscles and soothe shoulder stiffness. To heat your shoulder, you can use a heated gel pack, a hot water bottle, or a heating pad.
Tip #5 Take Muscle Relaxants
If muscle tension or muscle spasm is the cause of your shoulder pain, take muscle relaxants. Your primary care doctor can prescribe muscle relaxants like tizanidine, baclofen, and cyclobenzaprine.
Since muscle relaxants cause drowsiness, don’t take them before driving or operating heavy machinery.
Tip #6 Gently Massage Your Shoulder
Massage can soothe muscle tension, relieve pain, and reduce swelling. Gently massage the affected area without applying oil for shoulder pain relief.
Tip #7 Do Some Stretches
Regular shoulder exercises and stretches can keep it strong and flexible. To loosen your shoulder and relieve pain caused by muscle tightness, do some stretching exercises. Remember to warm up before stretching and stop stretching if you feel pain while doing stretches.
Shoulder Pain in Johnson County, Kansas
If your shoulder pain is not going away with the tips mentioned above, get your shoulder evaluated by a shoulder expert at Midwest Orthopaedics. We have a team of board-certified orthopedists who can thoroughly evaluate your shoulder condition, pinpoint the cause of your shoulder pain and develop an individualized treatment plan.
If you want to know more about our services or would like to make an appointment with our orthopedists, call (913) 362-8317 or use our secure online appointment request form.
