Shoulder Pain

What Causes Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain occurs when something is affecting the shoulder joint, muscles, ligaments or tendons. Shoulder pain can be acute or chronic. Acute shoulder pain comes on suddenly and is usually caused by an injury or trauma.

Chronic shoulder pain causes ongoing pain that’s difficult to live with. Sometimes it’s hard to uncover the underlying cause of chronic shoulder pain, and there may be multiple factors involved. Here are some common issues that cause shoulder pain:

• Repetitive motions from certain jobs or physical activities (tendonitis)
• Chronic stress that causes shoulder muscle tension
• Poor posture and back alignment
• Old or improperly healed injury
• Pinched nerve from the neck that radiates pain to the shoulders

What are the Symptoms of Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain symptoms vary depending on the cause. Shoulder pain is often a generalized symptom that includes neck and upper back pain. You may also feel pain that’s worse on one side. Shoulder pain symptoms include:  

• Stiffness across the upper back and into shoulder blade(s)
• Tingling or numbness across the shoulders
• Inability to raise arms or perform reaching motions
• Cracking or grating sound during certain movements

General stiffness, soreness and an inability to move shoulders at a full range of motion are symptoms of what’s commonly called ‘frozen shoulder’. You can manage frozen shoulder with ongoing self-care and pain-relief techniques.

Self-Care Solutions for Shoulder Pain

There are several self-care practices that can manage and relieve shoulder pain. By implementing wellness routines into your daily life and becoming more mindful of your posture, you can help correct shoulder muscle issues.

Here are some self-care solutions for shoulder pain relief:

Strength Training: If your shoulder pain is caused by muscle weakness or damage by repetitive movements, then it’s important to rehabilitate your shoulder. Improving muscle strength can alleviate pain by rebalancing and realigning your shoulders and back. Consult a physiotherapist for specific exercises that can strengthen your shoulders.

Essential Oils: Essential oils come from therapeutic plants that have natural pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory benefits. Peppermint extract has natural analgesic properties, which help to alleviate chronic pain. Lavender oil is a natural anti-inflammatory, which can reduce swelling caused by acute injuries or arthritis. Daily topical application of these essential oils can help alleviate pain and tension in the shoulders.