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Shoulder pain comes in many forms. We cover everything you need to know about different types of shoulder pain, including common causes, symptoms and effective treatment options.
Shoulder pain has a number of common causes. These include:
Fortunately, diagnosing shoulder pain can usually be achieved through a physical examination of your shoulder and an assessment of your medical history.
When you meet with your doctor, they will discuss your shoulder pain in depth. This will help them reach an accurate diagnosis.
Depending on your symptoms, other diagnostic tests might be used to rule out other causes of your shoulder pain. These tests include: a shoulder X-Ray, an ultrasound or an MRI.
Your doctor will explain these tests to you if they are needed.
It is important to follow your exercise regime diligently to reap its benefits.
The British Elbow & Shoulder Society has shared the below three shoulder pain exercises, which were recommended by leading shoulder physiotherapists. These should not be used as a replacement for seeking personalised advice from a specialist, however they give an idea of the types of shoulder exercises you may be recommended.
Stand facing a smooth wall, holding a cloth (or even wearing clean socks on your hands),and place the edges of your hands against the wall with your thumbs facing you. Step forward, gently pushing into the wall and sliding your hands upwards, as far as you can.
Eventually you will be able to do this without the support of the wall.
Put your hands flat against the wall, turned out slightly and set slightly wider than your shoulders. Lower your body towards the wall as if you were doing a push-up, then move yourself back to your starting position.
Sit next to a table with your elbow resting just below shoulder height. You can use a rolled up towel to support it at this height. Make a gentle fist and rotate your forearm to point upwards, keeping your elbow bent.
Sometimes, it can be challenging to determine the cause of your shoulder pain. According to Harvard Medical: “If you do experience shoulder pain, it's not always possible to figure out the cause. Sometimes problems in other parts of the body are actually the source of the pain, which then radiates to your shoulder”.
In order to determine the cause of your shoulder pain, you need an accurate diagnosis.
If you're busy during the day, you can sometimes be distracted from pain. When you’re in bed at night with limited distractions, your pain can feel worse and prevent you from falling asleep.
If you have severe shoulder pain at night, it might significantly impact your quality of life. However, there are methods for coping with shoulder pain at night.
As always, it is important to speak with your doctor for advice if you are struggling to cope with shoulder pain at night.
There are many effective forms of treatment for shoulder pain. These include:
An appointment with an experienced shoulder Consultant at one of our nearest hospitals could be helpful. They will assess and diagnose the cause of your shoulder pain and then discuss any suitable treatment options for your specific situation.
To schedule your visit, book a specialist appointment online today. We really look forward to helping get you out of pain and back to doing the things you love.
Consultant orthopaedic surgeon Harry Brownlow from Circle Reading Hospital shares important information on the common causes of shoulder pain, as well as effective treatment options for pain, such as shoulder replacement surgery.