Have you ever been working around the house and noticed a twinge in your shoulder? What should you do if shoulder pain strikes and you're having trouble doing anything without discomfort?
Sometimes, your shoulder pain is due to a minor injury that requires rest and stretching to allow it to heal. Other times, it's a sign of a more significant issue that Dr. Steven J. Svabek needs to address.
Dr. Svabek is an orthopedic specialist trained extensively in shoulder pain and problems. If you're dealing with shoulder discomfort, Dr. Svabek offers conservative and surgical treatments to get your shoulder back in working order.
If your shoulder hurts, it could be due to various issues. Shoulder pain may come on suddenly from an acute injury or develop over time from a chronic problem in the joint.
Your shoulder joint is a complex ball-and-socket joint with many moving parts. If any of them become inflamed or injured, you may have shoulder pain or discomfort. Some of the leading causes of shoulder pain include:
If you use your arms and shoulders repetitively daily, you may also suffer an overuse injury. These injuries happen from chronic wear-and-tear on your shoulder joint.
Your symptoms are the key to helping Dr. Svabek determine what's causing your shoulder pain. He also orders diagnostic studies like an X-ray or MRI to see any damage inside your joint.
Shoulder pain isn't always a significant issue; sometimes, you simply strain a muscle or ligament, which causes short-lived pain. However, the days following your injury may be difficult due to stiffness and discomfort.
If you can move your shoulder and want to see if it heals by itself, there are some home therapies you can try. Rest is the first option, but only for a few days. Too much rest makes your shoulder stiffer.
Ice is also a good idea, especially right after a shoulder injury. Ice helps to reduce swelling and inflammation caused by your shoulder injury. Make sure you don't put the ice directly on your skin; instead, wrap it in a towel and take it off after about 20 minutes.
You can also take anti-inflammatory medications to ease any discomfort in your shoulder. These medications improve inflammation in your shoulder to improve function.
Dr. Svabek recommends stretching at home to eliminate tightness and improve the range of motion.
One of the best therapies you can do for your shoulder at home is stretching. Shoulder pain is often due to a muscle or ligament strain, which causes your tissues to seize up and become tight.
Stretching allows your tissues to become loose and more flexible, which ultimately helps relieve pain. A few of the stretches Dr. Svabek recommends for shoulder pain include:
Each of these stretches improves your shoulder flexibility and range of motion. Dr. Svabek and his team provide you with detailed instructions for each stretch.
Depending on the severity of your shoulder condition, Dr. Svabek recommends performing these stretches several times a day for optimal results.
Don't continue to let shoulder pain rule your life. Call our office in Coral Springs, Florida at 954-466-9140 or request an appointment on the website using our convenient scheduling tool.
