What Are the Causes of Shoulder Pain? How Is It Treated?

Shoulder pain is one of the most common joint pains. It is a widespread issue, especially among individuals who use their arms frequently for work, and it can negatively impact the quality of life.

Causes of Shoulder Pain

If a stabbing pain is felt when lifting the arm, if it is difficult to lift objects like a kettle, if there is a burning sensation in the shoulder while combing hair, or if there is a sharp pain that wakes the person up at night when changing positions, it may indicate a shoulder muscle tear.
Pain accompanied by difficulty in shoulder movements during dressing and undressing or difficulty reaching the back with the arm may suggest frozen shoulder.
Shoulder pain caused by nerve damage in the muscles around the shoulder may be accompanied by muscle weakness.
Shoulder pain can also develop as a result of diseases affecting internal organs. Diseases of the chest, lungs, and gallbladder can lead to shoulder pain.
Shoulder disorders, such as shoulder impingement syndrome, calcific tendinitis (calcium buildup in the tendons), shoulder instability, shoulder subluxations, myofascial pain syndrome (strain-related pain in muscles around the shoulder), and shoulder osteoarthritis can all cause pain.

Causes of Left Shoulder Pain

Left shoulder pain, which is located on the side where the vital organ, the heart, is situated, can be a sign of a serious disease. Frozen shoulder syndrome, which occurs in individuals on long bed rest or those with sedentary lifestyles, may cause pain in the left shoulder. In addition to circulatory disorders and joint arthritis, heart problems can also lead to left shoulder pain. Inflammation of the shoulder nerves and conditions like nerve compression can cause sharp pains and numbness in the left shoulder. Furthermore, a herniated disc in the neck is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain.

Causes of Right Shoulder Pain

Right shoulder pain may occur due to overuse from working or exercising, resulting in muscle strain. A common cause of right shoulder pain is dislocation of the shoulder joint. This type of pain generally arises from sudden shoulder movements. Pain can also result from lying on the right shoulder, which can be quite intense. Sometimes, previous injuries to the right shoulder may lead to pain many years later. If shoulder inflammation is accompanied by nausea and fever, it is advised to seek immediate medical attention.

Shoulder Pain Treatment

Shoulder pain treatment should be based on the underlying cause. The factors that trigger shoulder pain should be identified and eliminated. For shoulder pain caused by intense exercise, cold or hot compresses may be applied. For office workers who experience shoulder pain, neck and shoulder exercises recommended by experts can be done throughout the day. For pain caused by injury, treatments may range from cortisone injections to physical therapy or even surgical intervention, depending on the severity

Last Updated Date: 31 May 2018

Publication Date: 31 May 2018