Shoulder arm syndrome – a condition with many faces and many possible backgrounds is often referred to as neck-shoulder-arm syndrome. Other terms for this condition include: Cervicobrachial syndrome, cervicobrachialgia, cervicobrachial syndrome and cervicobrachial syndrome.
What is shoulder-arm syndrome?
Shoulder-arm syndrome is also known as cervicobrachialgia or lower cervical syndrome in the medical community. The term neck-shoulder-arm syndrome is often found alongside the term shoulder-arm syndrome. The term shoulder-arm syndrome covers complaints of these corresponding parts of the body. Often there are neck complaints that radiate and thus lead to pain in the arms and shoulders. There may also be tingling or numbness in the hands or restricted lateral head movements. Muscle stiffness in the muscle strands that run along both sides of the spine is also often present in shoulder-arm syndrome. Since the symptoms of shoulder-arm syndrome can vary greatly from individual to individual, thorough examinations are required for diagnosis – also to be able to rule out any other diseases as the cause of the complaints.
Causes
Just like the symptoms of shoulder-arm syndrome, possible causes of shoulder-arm syndrome are varied. In many cases, the cause of shoulder-arm syndrome lies in complaints of the cervical spine: here, for example, blockages of individual vertebrae can occur, which then radiate painfully. The background of such complaints of the cervical spine can be jerky movements or drafts. Incorrect loading of the spine, such as frequent one-sided carrying of loads, can also increase the risk of developing shoulder-arm syndrome. Other possible causative impairments of the vertebrae for shoulder-arm syndrome are changes in the spine due to aging processes or, for example, herniated discs. Also responsible for shoulder-arm syndrome may be vertebral impairments due to inflammatory diseases (e.g., rheumatism), osteoporosis, tumors, or external forces (e.g., accidents).
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
Shoulder pain in shoulder-arm syndrome
Shoulder-arm syndrome includes a wide range of complaints with different causes. Therefore, numerous symptoms may indicate this condition. Common signs of shoulder-arm syndrome include back pain, shoulder pain, pain in the upper arm, and muscle tension. In individual cases, the pain also occurs in the back of the head. Complaints from shoulder-arm syndrome can be acute or chronic. They can occur locally or radiate into the entire arm up to the hand. There may be sensory disturbances in the hands. The mobility of the head can be restricted. This can result in poor posture. Pain from shoulder-arm syndrome can start slowly or suddenly. As a rule, they occur on one side. If there is more nervous impairment as part of the condition, fingertips may fall asleep and show numbness. They may also lose strength during grasping movements. If the spine is affected, reactions of the autonomic nervous system such as drooping of the upper eyelid and limitation of reflexes are often seen. Over time, the symptoms can intensify. Affected individuals wake up in sleep due to pain when they turn to the affected shoulder area. Circling the shoulder and spreading the upper arm are only possible to a limited extent and with pain. A typical sign of shoulder-arm syndrome is also a stabbing pain when reaching for the wallet in the back pocket. Classic counter-reactions of poor posture, muscle tension and pain form in everyday life.
Complications
Shoulder-arm syndrome can result in severe pain and numbness in the arms and hands. Cervicobrachialgia should be treated promptly with physical therapy if such symptoms are present. This is the only way to resolve the underlying muscle stiffness. Relief of the pain can be attempted via red light or a pain ointment containing ibuprofen to avoid incapacity to work. However, pain ointments are not suitable for long-term treatment. A complication of shoulder-arm syndrome can occur if pinched nerves or vertebral blockages are not recognized during treatment. Both can be very painful.Heat treatments, physiotherapy and medicinal pain treatment must go hand in hand here in order not to complicate the situation further. Among other things, shoulder-arm syndrome can develop as a result of whiplash. In this context, chronic shoulder pain can occur as a complication. Degenerative changes or tumors in the shoulder joint area can also be a cause of shoulder-arm pain. Herniated discs, bone changes due to osteoporosis and a tumor in the shoulder area can lead to considerable complications if they are not recognized in time. If necessary, surgery is inevitable. To avoid complications, the causes of cervicobrachial syndrome should always be investigated. Work-related muscle tension can be as much of a trigger for causing shoulder-arm syndrome as other circumstances. As a consequence of constant work at the PC, pain-related occupational disability can result from shoulder-arm syndrome in the worst case.
When should you go to the doctor?
Medical treatment is always necessary for shoulder-arm syndrome, since self-healing cannot occur with this disease. The affected person is always dependent on treatment by a doctor to prevent further complications. A doctor should be consulted if the affected person suffers from severe pain in the shoulders, arms or even back. The pain is permanent and does not go away on its own. It can also spread to neighboring regions and cause discomfort there as well. It is not uncommon for numbness to be an indication of shoulder-arm syndrome and should be examined by a doctor. A doctor should also be visited if there is tension in the muscles or if the muscles seem very weakened. Shoulder-arm syndrome can be diagnosed and treated by a general practitioner or by an orthopedic surgeon. Special complications usually do not occur and there is a complete recovery from this condition.
Treatment and therapy
Depending on the severity and course of shoulder-arm syndrome, there are different treatment methods. Acute pain caused by shoulder-arm syndrome that has not yet occurred frequently can, for example, first be combated with painkillers. Depending on the diagnosed cause, painkillers can also be used here that have an additional anti-inflammatory effect. If shoulder-arm syndrome leads to more severe pain due to muscle tension, active substances are sometimes used to relax the muscles again. However, long-term use of painkillers is sometimes warned against, as corresponding dependencies can develop. Instead of painkillers, long-acting local anesthetics (local anesthetics) are used in chronic shoulder-arm syndrome, for example – among other things, this can prevent pain nerves from transmitting pain signals. Consistent physiotherapy is cited as a particularly important component in the fight against shoulder-arm syndrome: Strengthened supporting muscles can help compensate for impairments in the spine. Treatment with cold or warm air has also been shown to relieve pain: While some patients find warm air more effective, others prefer cold air. Other possible treatments for shoulder-arm syndrome include acupuncture or chiropractic (manual treatment). And depending on the cause of shoulder-arm syndrome, complementary relaxation methods or psychological talks are also successfully used.
Prevention
First of all, an important aspect of prevention of shoulder-arm syndrome is regular strengthening of the back muscles that support the spine. It is also advisable to avoid one-sided loads on the spine (for example, carrying heavy shopping bags on only one shoulder). As much as possible, it is also important to avoid negative stress, which can promote muscle stiffness and tension. Shoulder-arm syndrome – associated with pain, but which can be counteracted with pain relief after targeted diagnosis, with targeted treatment steps and appropriate prevention.
Aftercare
Once shoulder-arm syndrome has occurred, this area of the body always remains a weak spot. There is no permanent cure.It is therefore important for patients to keep a close eye on the shoulder-arm area during aftercare. On the one hand, he should ensure that he does not strain his muscles in this area on one side for an unnecessarily long time. To do this, he can, for example, take breaks when working at the PC and stretch the shoulder area. The patient has already been shown appropriate stretching exercises during physiotherapy treatment, but they are also taught in courses such as yoga or Pilates. Such gentle sports are well suited to strengthening the muscles in the shoulder-arm region and at the same time keeping them supple and mobile. This is a prerequisite for preventing the shoulder-arm syndrome from becoming acute again. Once overuse of the area has occurred, the patient can resort to the self-help options already mentioned. Treatment with a red light lamp or application of a hot water bottle will relieve initial discomfort. A hot pad of stirred healing clay can also relieve the budding tension from the painful areas. If it is possible for the patient, he or she should always undergo physiotherapeutic treatments and massages. In combination with sports and mindfulness, he can prevent the recurrence of discomfort.
This is what you can do yourself
This term covers various conditions that cause the head, neck, shoulder and arm to be unable to move fully. To define exactly what the underlying disease is, it is essential to consult an orthopedist. He will determine if the shoulder-arm syndrome is the result of a cervical spine issue or if the patient is prone to poor posture, has “lifted” or sat on a train. Other conditions may underlie the shoulder-arm syndrome, such as tumors or rheumatism. Depending on the findings, the doctor will determine the therapy. In addition, the patient can also ensure that the neck muscles are relaxed. On the one hand, gentle massages are possible, but also gymnastic exercises that relieve tension. Patients can find various films on the Internet showing neck exercises that are easy to do. Progressive muscle relaxation according to Jacobson also helps against stubborn muscle tension. In addition, warming compresses can loosen tense muscles. A hot-water bottle is just as effective here as a heat plaster with activated charcoal, which is applied and gives off an even heat for hours. A cherry pit cushion heated in the microwave can also provide relief for acute symptoms. Because shoulder-arm syndrome usually involves pain and numbness, patients tend to respond with poor posture. Therefore, they should be sure to keep physical therapy appointments because an outsider can better identify and correct these poor postures.
