Don’t let shoulder pain go untreated
Issue
Whether caused by an injury, overuse or general wear and tear with age, shoulder pain can be annoying. But hoping the pain will go away on its own can often lead to bigger problems.“The longer shoulder pain goes unaddressed, the more likely it is to get progressively worse,” says Laura Self, a physical therapist with SSM Rehab. “Leaving it untreated can increase the chance for muscle weakness, loss of range of motion and joint mechanics problems.”
Cause
“The shoulder joint has the greatest range of motion of any joint in the body. The mobility that makes it so great also is what makes it inherently more prone to injury and problems,” adds Self. “Because it is so flexible, it is very dependent on the muscles working well to keep it mechanically stable. The muscles must not only be strong enough, they must fire in the right sequence to provide a stable base from which the arm can work.”Self notes that many people wait to see their doctor until their shoulder pain has become so intense and frequent and they experience:
- Difficulty finding a comfortable sleeping position
- Pain and difficulty when reaching above shoulder level
- Pain and difficulty when dressing
- Trouble lifting, even a cup of coffee
- Constant, unrelenting or recurring pain
Treatment
“The longer you wait to seek treatment, the more layers of problems there are to work through,” explains Self. “Early intervention of physical therapy can mean a quicker recovery.” A physical therapist will evaluate posture, range of motion, strength, muscle irritability, joint mechanics, and pain to determine the cause of the shoulder problem and appropriate treatment.Learn more
For more information on common causes of shoulder
pain, prevention and when to see your doctor, go to www.ssmrehab.com and click on the green apple (Healthy Living Guide). Click on Symptoms under the
Health Illustrated Encyclopedia and find Shoulder Pain.
