Shoulder pain, which usually occurs in people who work at a desk most of the day and use computers for a long time, was until recently treated with the diagnosis of "fibromyalgia" or "myofascial pain". However, there is another cause of this pain, which has an extremely negative impact on quality of life. This condition is mainly associated with poor posture. Spending long periods of time in a forward-bent position, working with the arm extended forward, means that the scapula opens more towards the front. As a result, some muscles around the shoulder blade work more and some less. A healthy shoulder movement depends on the muscles working in harmony. If this harmony is disrupted, the biomechanics in the shoulder joint will be negatively affected and will lead to pain in the muscles. When the scapula is tilted forward for a long time, it can also cause nerve strain and chronic pain behind the shoulder. Over time, this can even lead to tears in the muscles that provide shoulder movement.
What is Shoulder Pain?
Shoulder pain refers to pain that occurs at the junction of the humerus bone, also called the humerus bone, between the elbow and shoulder, and the shoulder blade (scapula). The shoulder joint, formed by the upper arm bone (humerus), collarbone (clavicle) and shoulder blade (scapula), can move in 4 directions and is the largest joint in the body. Shoulder pain is usually caused by injury to the soft tissue around the bones.
The most common cause of shoulder pain is shoulder impingement syndrome. The cause of the pain may occur in the shoulder joint or it may be caused by the reflection of problems developing in different regions to the shoulder area. In acute shoulder pain, the cause is generally shown as muscle and tendon injuries caused by improper movement. In this case, the person should use the shoulder as little as possible and apply ice compress to the area where the pain is felt to relax the muscle tissue. Ice application lasting 10-15 minutes will help relieve acute shoulder pain. Suspending the arm to restrict the movement of the shoulder joint should not be preferred at this point, as it may cause frozen shoulder discomfort.
In some people, shoulder pain may increase at night. Although this condition is rare, it may be associated with soft tissue tumors. In cases where shoulder pain lasts longer than 48 hours and there is no sign of improvement, a doctor should be consulted. The source of the pain should be determined by the specialist and the appropriate treatment method should be started to relieve the discomfort.
Shoulder pain is the pain felt in the shoulder and can be caused by blows to the shoulder, but can also be a symptom of other diseases. Symptoms of shoulder pain can be characterized by swelling and stiffness. Shoulder pain can be treated with medication and physical therapy, as well as in cases requiring surgery. The course of treatment is decided by the specialist physician.
How Does Shoulder Pain Feel?
Shoulder pain is the pain felt in the shoulder area. Neck and back pain can also be added to shoulder pain. There are many causes of shoulder pain. Traumas or diseases can cause shoulder pain. Shoulder pain may be accompanied by other symptoms. Shoulder pain may be caused by the structure of the shoulder itself, or it may occur due to diseases developing in other tissues or organs.
What are the Causes of Shoulder Pain?
Shoulder pain may be caused by a problem in the shoulder joint, or a disorder in another part of the body may be the cause of these complaints. It is common in individuals who work by lifting heavy loads. Some of the causes of shoulder pain are as follows:
- Impacts to the shoulder
- Frozen shoulder syndrome
- Shoulder dislocation
- Shoulder impingement
- Load on the shoulder
- Fracture or fracture of the arm
- Fracture of the collarbone
- Heart attack
- Lung diseases
- Joint diseases
- Damage to the spine
- Constantly lying on the left or right side
- Making wrong movements during sports
Which symptoms are associated with shoulder pain?
- Swelling in the shoulder
- Feeling stiffness in the shoulder
- Shoulder pain
- Burning sensation in the shoulder
- Restricted mobility
- Inability to lie on the aching shoulder
- Inability to lift or hold something with the hand attached to the shoulder, i.e. loss of strength
- Pain in the neck, that is, the part close to the shoulder, can also affect the lower back and cause low back pain when it progresses.
How is Shoulder Pain Diagnosed?
Shoulder pain mostly occurs as a result of damage to the soft tissues in the shoulder joint. In order to determine whether there is a problem in the shoulder joint, a physical examination is performed by the physician and MRI may be requested if necessary. In some cases, X-rays and computed tomography are sufficient for diagnosis. In some cases, a multidisciplinary approach may be required for the definitive diagnosis of shoulder pain. If the complaint in the shoulder area is caused by another condition, the person should be referred to the relevant department.
How is Shoulder Pain Treated?
Shoulder pain, which is a common condition, can cause difficulty in daily work and reduce the quality of life. Shoulder pain caused by muscle strain and incorrect movement usually does not require intervention and heals in a short time. However, if shoulder pain does not improve for more than 48 hours, a doctor should be consulted. Since shoulder pain caused by trauma may require emergency intervention, the person should not delay in applying to the hospital.
Acute shoulder pain can be relieved with painkillers, ice and cold compresses or massage. If shoulder pain is chronic, a specialist should be consulted to treat it and the cause of shoulder pain should be determined. Diagnosed shoulder pain can be treated with muscle relaxants and some ointments. If shoulder pain is caused by tears and fractures, it is treated with surgery and shoulder pain is cured.
How to prevent shoulder pain?
- Heavy loads should not be lifted
- Do not make movements that strain the shoulder
- A backpack should be preferred instead of a shoulder bag
- Lumbar and cervical herniated discs should be treated
- Regular exercise should be done
- Care should be taken to sit upright
- Orthopedic mattress should be preferred
- Do not sleep on the same side for a long time
- Pay attention to a balanced and regular diet
- Avoid smoking and alcohol
- Supporting brackets can be attached
- Muscles can be relaxed with massage
- By paying attention to these, it is possible to prevent shoulder pain.