As per the International Association for the Study of Pain, shoulder pain is one of the most common types of neuromuscular disorders and pains. The prevalence of this condition can be gauged by the fact that 18% of insurance disability payments in the United States are attributed to shoulder disorders.
The exact cause behind shoulder pain depends on its severity. If it’s brought upon by an inflammatory condition, the pain is more likely to be chronic in nature. Inflammatory conditions include torn shoulder tendons, damaged joint surfaces, and overuse of tendons.
Other than that, the pain can also be caused by excessive motion and general muscular weakness.
Let’s see how this pain affects your life:
What is the pain like?
Shoulder pain can be dull and aching or sharp and piercing. The onset of the pain can also be sudden or gradual—depending on the underlying cause.
In most cases, the pain is triggered or worsened by the overuse of the shoulder muscle, too much inactivity, or an injury. Other than pain, the condition may also be accompanied by shoulder stiffness, an inability to move the shoulder, swelling, and in some cases, structural deformities.
Apart from these painful symptoms, the pain can also cause general weakness in the shoulder area, and extends throughout the arm.
How does shoulder pain affect your everyday life?
According to research, individuals who deal with shoulder pain are less involved with communal activities and other pastimes.
In another study, it was found that shoulder pain greatly reduces an individual’s capacity to work, and may consequently lead to psychological distress.
The inability to carry out office work to your maximum capacity may also lead to financial distress, since your productivity gets affected. When the condition persists for too long, healthcare costs also accumulate.
In some cases, shoulder pain may also bring about pains in adjacent organs like the neck and arms. This makes it hard for the individual to control their symptoms altogether. If the individual is relying on painkillers to get through their condition, that’s another problem since it can cause dependency issues.
People with shoulder pain often find themselves unable to enjoy hobbies they once liked. Cycling, swimming, painting, or any other form of activity that includes excess arm use become painfully difficult.
What can you do?
We always recommend consulting a professional and getting the right tests done to diagnose the issue. Other than that, you can always visit a physical therapy clinic for therapeutic exercises. A well-experienced physical therapist will not only train and guide you to overcome the pain on your own but may also eliminate the need for pain-killers and medications.
Without having to undergo any surgeries, they help you regain your strength with the help of carefully curated exercises. The therapist will always take your personal considerations into account.
To get in touch with the most experienced physical therapists in Houston, get in touch with HealthRite Medical & Rehab Clinic. We provide several physical therapy services including massage therapy, prosthetic training, and occupational therapy.
