Shoulder Pain Got Your Sidelined? 2 Ways To Alleviate The Discomfort

Health & Medical Blog

If you suffer from shoulder pain, you've got a lot of company. According to research, 20% of the population will suffer from shoulder pain at some time in their life. Luckily, with proper treatment, you won't have to live with the pain. If you're experiencing shoulder pain, you should consult with your physician. This is particularly true if the pain is related to an injury you've sustained. With proper treatment, including treatments at places like Advanced Physical Therapy, you can overcome the pain you're experiencing. In addition, here are a few things you can do at home to alleviate the pain.

Stretch it out

Simple stretches can work out the muscles and provide you with some much-needed relief from the pain. Before you add stretches to your daily routine, be sure to consult with your doctor. If you've been cleared for exercise, here are a couple stretches you can do at home.

Give Me a Y

This stretching exercise will work out your shoulder muscles and help alleviate the discomfort you're experiencing.

1. Lay on your back.
2. Place your arms straight down by your sides.
3. Tighten your stomach muscles while bringing your arms over your head to form a Y.
4. Be sure to keep your back flat on the ground.
5. Maintain the Y position for 20 seconds and then slowly lower your arms back down to your sides.
6. Repeat the exercise 3 times.

Roll it out

If your shoulders are hurting, gentle exercises can help loosen the muscles and get them moving again.

1. Stand with your feet flat on the ground and shoulder width apart.
2. Tighten your stomach muscles while rolling your shoulders forward.
3. Make a circular motion with your shoulders five times.
4. Reverse the motion and move your shoulders in backwards circles five times.
5. Repeat the exercise three times.

Add Some Essential Oils

Essential oils are an easy and aromatic way to reduce shoulder pain. This is particularly true if you're also experiencing muscle spasms or inflammation. You can apply essential oils with moist compresses or rubbed directly on to your sore shoulders. To create a therapeutic muscle rub using essential oils, pour ½ cup of olive oil in a small bowl and add about 10 drops of essential oils. Here are four essential oils that are effective at reducing pain, spasms and inflammation.

• Sweet marjoram – alleviates pain and muscle stiffness
• Peppermint – reduces inflammation and pain
• Clary sage – relieves muscle spasms

If you're suffering from shoulder pain that won't go away, schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. In addition to treatments such as physical therapy that your doctor will prescribe, add these methods to relieve your discomfort. 

18 January 2016