The shoulder is a ball and socket joint made up of three bones which rely on a large muscle group called the rotator cuff. The rotator cuff muscle group helps you complete simple tasks such as raising your arm above your head, combing your hair and putting on your clothes. Pain in your shoulder can be a result of overuse or an injury resulting in muscle tears and tendon ruptures. Shoulder discomfort can also be caused by arthritis and normal wear and tear. The good old aging process catches up to us in many ways! But, shoulder pain can also affect younger people who participate in sports, especially sports that involve overhead movements such as swimming, tennis, lacrosse and football.
In most cases, people may find relief with over-the-counter pain relief or topical creams. However, if the pain is associated with a pop sound, difficulty sleeping or you experience a tearing sensation, it’s time to seek medical attention. Thomas A. Dwyer, MD states, “Some shoulder pain is related to overuse or repetitive movements. For example, if you start a new workout or complete a task that required repetitive overhead motion, you may experience shoulder pain. Give yourself a few days to rest. Use ice for 15 to 20 minutes several times a day, and gently try to stretch the joint.”
If pain persists it may be something more serious, such as:
- Bursitis
- Frozen Shoulder
- Bone Spurs
- Labral Tear
If you are feeling pain in your shoulder that is lasting more than a week, or is a result of an injury CALL or TEXT 856.690.1616 to schedule an appointment with one of our shoulder or sports medicine specialists.
