Shoulder pain is one of the most common joint complaints – no wonder, because the complex structure of the shoulder involves several bones as well as many muscles, tendons and ligaments. If their interaction is disturbed, shoulder pain occurs during stress, movement or even at rest. A promising treatment depends in principle on the cause – therefore, always have persistent pain in the shoulder clarified by a doctor. We have compiled an overview of the treatment options for shoulder pain and give tips on how to prevent shoulder pain.
Treat mild pain yourself
If you feel pain in your shoulder after a “wrong” movement or an unaccustomed strain – for example, during a fitness workout – you should first cool the affected side and take it easy: Take a break from training for a few days and avoid “overhead work.” Ointments containing the active ingredient ibuprofen or diclofenac have an additional cooling effect and can help relieve pain. In the form of tablets, however, you should not use painkillers for more than a few days without consulting a doctor. If the pain is severe, it is better to consult a doctor to rule out a serious shoulder injury – this also applies if the pain lasts longer than a week. Shoulder-neck workout: 7 simple exercises against tension
Physiotherapy for shoulder pain
Physiotherapy plays a major role in the treatment of shoulder pain. For many diseases of the shoulder joint, physiotherapy is an indispensable part of the treatment. There are two reasons for this: First, shoulder pain can be relieved in many cases simply by strengthening specific muscles – for example, if there is damage to the rotator cuff. Second, the joint stiffens quickly if the shoulder is spared because of the pain. The result is a vicious circle of painful movement restriction and increased rest. Therefore, early range-of-motion exercises under physiotherapeutic guidance are important.
Medication: use painkillers carefully
For acute shoulder pain, the doctor often prescribes painkillers such as ibuprofen or diclofenac. Because these agents also have an anti-inflammatory effect, they can effectively relieve joint pain. However, they have a purely symptomatic effect – the cause of the pain is therefore not eliminated. Therefore, they should not usually be taken permanently. In addition, painkillers can promote the development of gastritis. So if you have a sensitive stomach, you should point this out to your doctor so that he can prescribe you an additional gastroprotective agent – for example with the active ingredient pantoprazole – if necessary.
Cortisone for “frozen shoulder”
In “frozen shoulder” (frozen shoulder), an inflammation-related adhesion of the joint capsule leads to severe pain and restricted movement of the shoulder. In this case, treatment with cortisone in tablet form in conjunction with physiotherapy can relieve the symptoms. This is because cortisone has a strong anti-inflammatory effect and can thus shorten the course of the disease.
Injection into the shoulder
If the shoulder pain is due to inflammation or irritation in the joint area, an injection into the joint can be an effective form of treatment. This usually involves injecting a mixture of cortisone and a local anesthetic under the acromion or directly into the shoulder joint. The advantage here is that the cortisone – unlike when taken in tablets – acts almost exclusively in the joint and is hardly absorbed into the blood. This reduces the risk of side effects – infections or an allergic reaction only occur very rarely. In addition, the injection provides immediate pain relief due to the local anesthetic, whereas the effect of cortisone can last up to three months. For example, an injection into the joint may be useful for the following causes of shoulder pain:
- “Frozen shoulder”
- Impingement syndrome
- Bursitis
- Acute episode of osteoarthritis (activated osteoarthritis).
Operation dependent on the individual risk
Surgery on the shoulder is in very rarely mandatory – for example, a complicated fracture of the upper arm or a shoulder corner joint dislocation.In all other cases, all non-surgical treatment methods are usually exhausted first before surgery is considered. However, whether and when surgery makes sense depends on the individual risk and the expected benefit in each case: For example, a young person who is active in sports is usually more likely to undergo surgery than an older patient with various concomitant diseases.
“Keyhole technique” often possible
Surgery on the shoulder can very often be performed by joint endoscopy (arthroscopy). This usually requires only two small incisions. This “keyhole technique” can be used, for example, to suture tendons, loosen adhesions, or tighten the joint capsule. An “open” operation, on the other hand, may be necessary if, for example, an artificial shoulder joint is installed due to osteoarthritis.
Physical therapy for shoulder pain
For complementary treatment of shoulder pain, procedures from physical therapy can be used, depending on the underlying cause. This involves using physical forces such as heat, cold, mechanics, or electricity to act on muscles, tendons, and other tissues to relieve pain. Physical treatment procedures include, for example:
- Cold therapy (cryotherapy)
- Heat applications
- Shock wave therapy
- Ultrasound therapy
- Electrotherapy
- Massages
- Manual therapy and chiropractic
However, in the field of alternative and physical medicine is not uncommon ineffective, but expensive treatment methods from unserious providers. It is best to consult your orthopedist, which therapy method is suitable for the treatment of your complaints.
Prevent shoulder pain
Not all shoulder conditions can be prevented, but there are still things you can do to keep your shoulder fit: With a few simple rules, shoulder pain caused, for example, by incorrect stress or poor posture can be prevented. We have some tips for you on what you can do about shoulder pain:
- Pay attention to your posture: there is actually no “wrong” posture – the important thing is that you do not remain in the same position for a long time. In the office, for example, you can take short breaks with stretching exercises or – if possible – alternate sitting and standing activities.
- Ensure an ergonomically designed workplace: if the height of the desk and office chair are adjusted to your height and the distances from the PC and keyboard are correct, tension can be prevented.
- Take it slow when strength training: Abrupt loads as in the bench press can lead to pain in the shoulder. Be sure to warm up their muscles before training and avoid too intense bodybuilding.
- Avoid incorrect loads: Distribute heavy loads on both arms if possible – for example, by carrying a bag in each hand or using a backpack.
- Keep moving: Those who exercise regularly usually have stronger muscles and more resilient tendons overall. For starters, it’s enough to incorporate exercise into your daily routine, such as using the stairs instead of the elevator.
- Strengthen your shoulder specifically: A strong shoulder girdle stabilizes the shoulder joint and can thus effectively prevent shoulder pain. Let a trained fitness trainer or a physiotherapist show you exercises to strengthen the rotator cuff.
Impingement syndrome – 8 exercises for the shoulder.
