Tips to aid shoulder pain treatment

After an exciting win, an Indian cricket fan’s adrenaline levels can be judged by how frantically they move their legs and shoulders in sync to the screams of joy. But as time passes by, age catches up. Cricketers retire to move into commentary boxes and the once energetic fans suffice their craze by good ole clapping. A quick switch to the news and we hear another athlete undergo surgery, while the swift urge to change channels made the shoulder scream in pain.

Injuries to the shoulder can occur from a wide number of reasons. Some of the common reasons cited are manual labour, sporting activities and repetitive movement. The shoulders tend to host a number of issues as time passes, especially after hitting the retirement mark. This is because soft tissues tend to degenerate with age. 

So, if your shoulder’s been more painful than productive of late, head straight to the doctor. Trust them to understand your issue and guide you through the ‘not so dreaded’ treatment of shoulder pain. And since the process can take a while and the general patience levels towards pain is quite well known, we bring to you some easy hacks. Hacks that aim to aid the treatment of shoulder pain with better ease.

1)      Icing:
Ice bags are extremely efficient in alleviating shoulder pain.
Reason – The cold temperature numbs the affected area which reduces pain and inflammation.
But beware; do not place ice directly on the sink. It can cause frostbite.

2)      Hot Compress:

      Just like icing,warm bath or hot bags help in easing out shoulder pain and other related problems. Though it is advised to opt for hot bags after 48 hours of the injury occurring. 

3)   Massage:

       A gentle massage eases out the stress and tension build up in your shoulder muscles.  It is also known to improve blood circulation and reduce swelling.

       Using oil like coconut oil, olive oil, sesame oil etc. provide better relief. But try to get massages            from professionals who know their way around it. 

4)      Stretching:
A likely cause of your shoulder ache can be stiff muscles. Poor posture or lack of use of the muscles can lead to stiffening. Sore and tight muscles respond well to stretching because it reduces muscle tension, promotes blood flow and improves flexibility. Just look out for sharp pain during stretching as they may be warning signs of bigger damage.

5)      Resting: 

       In most cases, the cause of shoulder pain is overuse or exertion. For example, lifting heavy objects over a long period of time can induce pain. Refrain from exerting activities for a few days can prove to be helpful.

        The above suggestions should hopefully help you ease you through the treatment of shoulder pain. But don’t stick to this only. Because a doctor is a better candidate for treatment than internet.