When Should I Worry About Shoulder Pain?

Most people will complain of shoulder pain at least once in their lifetime. Even the most intense pain may resolve on its own with self-care within a few days. Unfortunately, that is not the case for some types of shoulder pain. These types will require non-surgical procedures or other forms of medical attention.

But how can you tell if you need to visit a doctor? When should you be concerned, and what should you do when the pain doesn’t disappear? At World Frozen Shoulder Clinics, we offer non-surgical solutions for shoulder pain. The sooner you visit any of our offices, the faster our experienced specialists will help you get lasting relief. In this article, we will guide you on what to do if you have shoulder pain.

When Should I See a Doctor for Shoulder Pain?

While shoulder pain is common there are some instances where they are cause for alarm. You should be concerned about your shoulder pain if:

• -> It has not begun to recover in a week or two, or if it worsens over time
• -> It is as a result of an injury 
• -> You have shoulder pain and difficulty breathing or feelings of tightness in your chest. 
• -> You are experiencing a joint that appears deformed, the inability to use the joint, intense pain, or sudden swelling.
• -> You need medication that is stronger than over the counter pain medication

Possible Causes of Shoulder Pain

Most shoulder injuries result from ligaments, tendons, and muscle issues. Injuries can develop over time due to repetitive use or ignoring the warning signs of a problem. A few of the potential causes of shoulder pain include:

Frozen Shoulder

This condition doesn’t happen overnight — it gradually worsens, resulting in pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint. 

There are three stages:

• The Freezing Stage – You feel a dull pain when you move the shoulder, and your range of motion becomes limited.
• The Frozen Stage – The joint is stiff and painful to move 
• The Thawing Stage – Your shoulder gradually begins to heal

Frozen shoulder is more common in people over 40 and is seen more often in women than men. It can take up to 18 months or more for your shoulder to heal on its own. To speed up the healing process, you can consider non-surgical options such as the Manual Capsular Dissection (MCD) procedure which has yielded excellent results within weeks or even days for some patients.

Tendinitis

Shoulder tendinitis is usually caused by repetitive motion. Typically, a more sudden, unexpected injury can be the main issue. Many athletes experience tendinitis as they constantly put additional stress on the tissues and tendons in the shoulder.

A shoulder specialist may enrol you in physical therapy to help relieve the symptoms and regain strength in the shoulders. Resting and icing the shoulder will also go a long way in providing some relief.  

Bursitis

Shoulder pain can also be caused by bursitis. This occurs when there’s inflammation of the tiny fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion and protect bones, tendons, and muscles. 

You may experience stiffness and swelling in addition to a general ache in the shoulder. It may be irritating when you apply pressure to the shoulder or move it. Usually, bursitis will subside with rest and additional care to protect the joint and limit movement. Your shoulder specialist may recommend medication to reduce inflammation and shoulder therapy to strengthen the muscles in the shoulder.

Rotator Cuff Tear

This refers to tears that occur over time due to wear and tear or from an accident or injury. As a result, you may experience dull pain that exacerbates if you sleep on the affected shoulder. It may also make your arm feel weak.

Rotator cuff tears are common in people are:

• -> Over the age of 40
• -> Construction workers
• -> Athletes 

There are many options for shoulder treatment, but they are generally more effective if the injury is diagnosed early. Your doctor may recommend physical therapy to improve the strength in your shoulder. 

Shoulder Treatments at World Frozen Shoulder Clinics

If you’ve injured your shoulder or are experiencing pain in the area for more than a week, then you should consider speaking with a shoulder specialist at World Frozen Shoulder Clinics. Our team performs the Manual Capsular Dissection (MCD) procedure  – our revolutionary non-surgical treatment to provide quick and lasting relief for frozen shoulder patients. We can also develop a course of treatment for all other shoulder conditions, including Frozen Shoulder Impingement Syndrome, Bursitis, and Rotator Cuff Tendonitis.) Book a free consultation today. 

Categorised in: Blog - World Frozen Shoulder Clinic