Shoulder pain

Shoulder pain can affects people of all ages. Doctors estimate that at least ten percent of all German citizens suffer from it - men just as often as women. Shoulder pain can occur more frequently from the age of six, and children, adolescents and young adults already experience shoulder pain. The right shoulder suffers more often than the left, but this is not directly related to the predominant right-handedness. Doctors differentiate between two forms of pain - depending on the duration and cause:

• Acute shoulder pain occurs suddenly. The causes are often accidents such as a fall on the shoulder or arm, excessive strain or poor posture. Acute shoulder pain lasts no more than three weeks.
• Chronic shoulder pain develops gradually and lasts for more than three months. It is often due to joint wear ( osteoarthritis ) of the shoulder or inflammation. Many patients suffer from recurrent or chronic shoulder pain.

Doctors also refer to shoulder pain as "omalgia". They not only affect the shoulder joint itself, but also the soft tissues with muscles, tendons, ligaments and the capsular apparatus. Not only do many have shoulder pain, but shoulder mobility is also limited. And when you move them, it usually hurts even more.

Causes of shoulder pain: from tension, injuries to wear and tear

The human shoulder is particularly prone to pain. Due to its anatomy, the shoulder joint has enormous freedom of movement and a large range of motion. Compared to other joints, however, it is less stable and accordingly more prone to injuries or signs of wear and tear.

Most of the time, the shoulder pain does not come from the shoulder joint itself. Rather, the causes of shoulder pain often lie in tendons, muscles or ligaments.

Shoulder pain can show up in different regions: Left shoulder pain is about as common as right shoulder pain - although most people are right-handed and put more stress on this side. For example, shoulder pain in the front can indicate a broken collarbone.

Rotator cuff and other causes of shoulder pain:

• Muscle tension due to excessive strain and improper strain : Tense neck and shoulder muscles are particularly common in people who work a lot while sitting, for example at the computer. If you do not keep moving in between and loosen your hardened muscles, you will develop neck and shoulder pain that can spread to your arms. In addition, certain sports are extremely demanding on the shoulder, for example handball, tennis or golf. They weaken the shoulder joint as a whole.
• Dislocated shoulder joint (shoulder dislocation) : When the shoulder dislocates, the joint head of the humerus pops out of the socket - which is extremely painful. Sometimes the surrounding ligaments and tendons are also injured. The most common reasons for shoulder dislocation are accidents during exercise or a fall on the shoulder or the outstretched arm. Considerable mechanical forces act on the shoulder joint.
• Broken collarbone (clavicle fracture) : A fall on the shoulder or on the outstretched arm, for example in a bicycle accident, is a common reason for a broken collarbone. Shoulder pain after the fall is the result. This happens quickly, especially with children and adolescents who romp around and play. Because of the shoulder pain, most of them quickly adopt a relieving posture. A fracture of the upper arm also causes shoulder pain.
• Impingement syndrome (bottleneck syndrome) : Doctors understand this to mean a narrowing of the shoulder joint (the space between the roof of the shoulder and the humerus is too narrow). Shoulder pain and limited shoulder mobility are the consequences. Anyone with impingement syndrome experiences shoulder pain when raising their arms or spreading their arms. The reason is that the shoulder is overloaded, for example if you often work "overhead" (painter, varnishers when painting ceilings). Certain sports, such as volleyball, also make you more susceptible to impingement syndrome.
• Bursitis (bursitis): Near all joints there are bursa, which contain the synovial fluid. They protect the joints from friction and pressure. Inflammation of the shoulder bursa results in shoulder pain. The inflammation is often preceded by impingement syndrome. In addition, the shoulder joint (omarthritis) or the shoulder mucous membrane can become inflamed.
• Rupture of the rotator cuff : A jacket made of muscles - the rotator cuff - stabilizes and protects the shoulder joint. This muscle jacket is an important helper, for example when turning and spreading your arms. Risk factors for a rupture of the rotator cuff are impingement syndrome, age-related signs of wear and tear (joint arthrosis) or sudden, heavy loads (falling on an outstretched arm, intensive strength training).
• Rotator cuff syndrome : Doctors use this term to summarize all shoulder complaints that are caused by one or more muscles of the rotator cuff on the shoulder. This muscle coat is often implicated in shoulder pain. Patients with rotator cuff syndrome experience shoulder pain at night. In addition, the pain increases with arm movements in certain directions and overhead activities. Shoulder pain when raising arms is an indication of this. In addition, there is often a loss of function and strength.
• Stiff shoulder ("frozen" shoulder): The shoulder joint capsule has suffered damage and the mobility of the shoulder is considerably restricted. The reasons for the frozen shoulder can be accidents or operations. Sometimes doctors cannot find any cause for the frozen shoulder. Some metabolic diseases, such as diabetes Diabetes mellitus or an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) appear to increase the risk of frozen shoulder.
• Calcareous shoulder (Tendinosis calcarea) : In the area of ​​the rotator cuff, the finest calcium crystals are deposited. The calcareous shoulder causes shoulder pain when the calcium deposits severely narrow the space under the roof of the shoulders (impingement syndrome) or trigger inflammation. The calcareous shoulder affects women (aged 40 and over) more often than men.
• Shoulder joint arthrosis (omarthrosis) : Like any other joint, the shoulder joint also wears out with increasing age. The cartilage between the joint surfaces becomes increasingly thin and cracked. If bone on bone finally rubs, shoulder pain is the result. The job or certain sports that put a lot of strain on the shoulder joint favor joint wear in the shoulder. Accidents and an inadequately treated shoulder disease also promote osteoarthritis in the shoulder joint.
• Injuries (trauma) to the shoulder from accidents and operations.
• Other diseases : Shoulder pain can also result from organs located in the chest area and upper abdomen. For example, diseases of the heart (e.g. coronary heart disease , myocardial infarction - shoulder pain on the left), lungs (e.g. pulmonary embolism), pleura, liver, kidneys or gallbladder (biliary colic) can express themselves in shoulder pain. However, with such underlying diseases, the pain in the shoulder does not remain, but other complaints are added.
• Rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (" rheumatism ") or fibromyalgia (soft tissue rheumatism)
• Spine diseases: diseases of the cervical spine (cervical spine syndrome), herniated discs in the cervical spine (less often than in the lumbar spine) or spinal cord diseases are possible causes of shoulder pain.

What to do with shoulder pain

Treatment for shoulder pain always depends on the cause. In principle, there are two different approaches: without surgery (conservative treatment) and with surgery. First of all, doctors always try to manage shoulder pain conservatively. However, this does not always succeed, for example in the case of fractures, tears or when the use of an artificial joint is necessary. If conservative treatments do not produces the desired results, surgery is sometimes unavoidable.

Shoulder pain: treatment with medication

Acute shoulder pain can be treated with pain relievers that also have anti-inflammatory effects. Drugs from the group of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective. Frequently used active ingredients for shoulder pain are ibuprofen or diclofenac. Most painkillers are now available (in low doses) without a prescription in local pharmacies, drugstores and online mail order stores. You can choose between different variants (dosage forms) of the pain medication:

• Cream, ointment, gel or lotion that you apply locally to the skin of the sore shoulder.
• Tablets, chewable tablets, lozenges, capsules, powder or granules for oral use. They work throughout the body (systemically).
• Sometimes doctors also give the pain relievers as an injection into the shoulder joint.

Do not use pain medication on your own for a long period of time; always consult your doctor.

Next comes - depending on the cause of shoulder pain - including cortisone used . It curbs inflammation effectively. Doctors use cortisone as tablets or injections (syringes) directly into the painful area.

 

 

Shoulder pain: treatment with physiotherapy

Physiotherapists work with a wide variety of methods to strengthen the muscles of the shoulder. An important component is exercise therapy (active and passive). In the first case you have to cooperate, in the second case not (the therapist is working). Physiotherapy can help if a lack of exercise, muscle weakness and poor posture are the causes of shoulder pain. Physiotherapy is also helpful after an operation. Physiotherapists will also show you exercises against shoulder pain. You can also do these stretching and strengthening exercises yourself at home.

Other treatments for shoulder pain

Otherwise, the following treatments for shoulder pain can be considered, but their effectiveness is often not sufficiently proven. The statutory health insurance companies therefore often do not cover the costs. Some examples:

• Manual therapy (osteopathy, chiropractic): Therapists work with techniques of manipulation (small jerky movements) and mobilization (careful, slow movements of the joints).
• Physical treatment of shoulder pain with heat, cold, electricity, electromagnetic waves or ultrasound
• Massages loosen the muscles and stimulate blood circulation.
• Acupuncture : The acupuncturist sticks fine needles into the painful shoulder area.
• Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), for example for the calcified shoulder; the lime is smashed (similar to gallstones)

Shoulder pain: home remedies

You can also use home remedies to manage your shoulder pain. Their effectiveness is usually not scientifically proven by studies, but there is many years of experience with home remedies for pain. Some examples:

• Cold is an effective home remedy for acute shoulder pain. You can apply cold in the form of cooling ointments, creams or gels. But also an ice pack (never directly on the skin) or compresses with cold water can alleviate shoulder pain. Cold is helpful in the case of irritation or inflammation, among other things.
• Warmth , on the other hand, is more advisable for chronic shoulder pain. Warming creams, ointments and gels have a pain-relieving effect. But also heat pillows (cherry stone, millet pillows), heat packs, mud packs, full baths, saunas or steam baths are good sources of heat.
• Tapes : Above all, athletes rely on tapes for pain of all kinds. These are elastic bands that you stick on the painful areas of the skin of the shoulder. They are supposed to stimulate blood circulation and loosen tense muscles. However, there is no proof that the adhesive tapes work against shoulder pain. Tapes are available in drugstores, sports stores or online mail order stores.
• Immobilization : Protecting the injured shoulder is a possibility after shoulder dislocations, capsule tears, broken bones and operations. Otherwise, rest is more of a disadvantage because it weakens the shoulder further. Moderate movement and specific exercises are better for shoulder pain in order to strengthen the muscles, tendons and ligaments in the shoulder. Exercise is also a far better way to treat shoulder pain when you have muscle tension.

Shoulder pain and homeopathy

Some rely on homeopathy for shoulder pain. Which remedies a homeopath uses always depends on the cause. For example, different globules should have an effect on muscle tension than on joint osteoarthritis or calcified shoulder. In addition, the choice of homeopathic remedy always depends on the side effects and the severity of the symptoms. Always find a homeopath who is experienced in treating pain.

Shoulder Pain: Exercises To Do At Home

There are numerous shoulder pain exercises that you can do at home. These loosen the muscles in the shoulder, relieve tension and strengthen the muscles in the shoulder and arm area. Do not do the exercises if you have severe shoulder pain or if it gets worse as you exercise.

Some examples:

• Let the shoulder joint swing : Support yourself with your "healthy" hand on a table or the back of a chair. Let the arm of your sore shoulder hang down loosely, then swing it back and forth. Instead of an oscillation, you can also perform a circular movement with your arm. A weight in the hand (dumbbell, water bottle) increases the effect. Do the exercises regularly and several times.
• Stretch the shoulder joint and muscles : Let your arms hang loosely and pull your shoulder blades backwards and downwards at the same time. Hold the position for about ten seconds. Repeat about ten times.
• Stretch shoulders : Stand or sit with your back straight. Now pull both shoulders up and hold the position for a few seconds. Then let your shoulders "fall" down and contract your back muscles at shoulder blade level. Hold for a few seconds. The effect can be increased again by putting weights in your hands. Repeat about ten times. The shoulder pain exercise is good for people who sit at a desk a lot.
• Shoulders stretch in the door frame : In these exercises against shoulder pain, a door frame is your training partner. Stand in it and position your hands on either side of the frame a little above your head. Then carefully lean forward until you feel a pull. Hold the stretch for about 30 seconds. Repeat the exercises about three times. It is not suitable for shoulder injuries or impingement syndrome.
• Exercise with an elastic band (e.g. Theraband): Place the band around a door handle and hold the ends with both hands, positioning your arms at the bottom. Now pull the tape back on both sides of your body and make sure to move your shoulders with you. You should feel tension or a pull in your arms. Repeat at least three times. Alternative: Wrap the Theraband around both hands, bend your forearms (90 degrees) and stretch them forward horizontally. Then pull the Theraband apart in front of your body.

With these exercises you can relieve shoulder pain as well as prevent it. However, you need to practice regularly, otherwise they won't be of much use. There are also some general tips you can use to prevent shoulder pain:

• Exercise your muscles and the entire shoulder apparatus regularly and strengthen your shoulder. Targeted strength training is good, and it is best to learn it under professional guidance. It is important that you do not put too much pressure on your shoulders and overload them.
• Muscle tension due to poor posture is a common reason for shoulder pain. If you spend a lot of time sitting down at work: Get up from time to time and loosen and stretch your shoulders .
• Make sure that you do not put any permanent strain on your shoulders in everyday life and (if possible) at work . Certain sports (handball, tennis) or overhead work are harmful to the shoulder.