Shoulder Pain Treatment in Alabama and Tennessee
Although we may not always think about it, the shoulder is an integral part of our everyday lives. Used to do simple tasks around the house or play intense sports, the combination of joints, muscles, and tendons that make up your shoulder can also cause severe pain for a number of different reasons.
What Causes Shoulder Pain?
Because the shoulder is something used on a frequent basis, the cause of shoulder pain can be either immediately obvious (like a sports injury) or can be something that becomes more noticeable over time (like arthritis). Either way, it’s important to understand the cause of your shoulder pain before seeking a solution. Some common causes of shoulder pain include:
- Rotator Cuff Issues
- Cartilage Tears
- Arthritis
- Shoulder Dislocation
- Frozen Shoulder
- Broken Bones or Fractures
- Bone Spurs
- Tendon or Bursa Issues (namely swelling)
- Other Injuries or Ailments (spinal injuries, heart attacks, etc.)
How Is Shoulder Pain Diagnosed?
Although some shoulder pain can be managed at home with typical RICE methods, you should make an appointment with TOC if you are experiencing an inability to move your shoulder, consistent pain over a few weeks, or tenderness in the shoulder region.
The trained team at TOC is here to help get you back to normal as soon as possible. As with any injury, your doctor will request more information including your medical history along with a few questions. Be prepared to answer things like:
- When did the pain start?
- Has it happened before, or is this a new injury?
- Is this a pinpointed injury, or does the pain radiate through other areas of your body?
- Do you have any other health problems that could be impacting your shoulder?
- When does it become worse and when does it become better?
If your doctor is able to diagnose the cause of your pain at this point, you may start treatment. However, your doctor may order additional tests to help identify the source of the pain. These tests can include an X-ray, MRI, CT scan, arthroscopy, and more.
It’s important to note that if the issue is sudden and not related to an injury, or you experience trouble breathing, dizziness, or excessive sweating, contacting 911 is crucial as these could be signs of a heart attack.
Treatment Options for Shoulder Pain
Based on the findings of your doctor, you’ll likely be put on a treatment plan, or recommended for surgery. Some of the most common treatment options include:
Lifestyle Changes and Home Remedies
One of the easiest things to begin with is to adjust any thing that you can within your life that may be causing shoulder pain. For example, if you are an avid golfer, try to dial back on the days per week that you play. Preventative measures and less exertion may prove to help the pain. In addition, you can always follow the RICE method when you are experiencing minor pain.
Medications and Injections
If you are experiencing inflammation and consistent pain, your doctor may prescribe a medication to help reduce both. Your doctor may also recommend certain injections to help alleviate symptoms as well.
Surgery
If the findings support surgery, a specialist at TOC will discuss your surgical options for resolving your shoulder pain. It’s important that these situations are discussed and handled early, as certain problems like rotator cuff issues may not benefit from other treatment options.
Schedule Your Appointment Today!
At TOC, our goal is to provide you with the best care to get you back to where you want to be after dealing with shoulder pain. Contact us today to set up your appointment and find out your options.