How to Treat and Prevent Shoulder Pain Without Drugs
Shoulder pain is uncomfortable and inconvenient, preventing you from doing everything you want to. Your pain could be caused by poor posture, a rotator cuff disorder, arthritis or a joint condition. You might notice discomfort while stretching, lying on your side at night, or moving your shoulders to put on a coat or jacket.
There are a number of treatments for shoulder pain, and some involve medication. Although painkillers and hormone injections might be necessary for severe conditions, it's worth trying some other options first. The chiropractic treatments listed below are often really effective, and you won't risk the dangerous side effects that come along with many drugs.
Massage therapy
Shoulder pain is often caused by problems in the neck and upper back, which can trigger pain in the shoulders. For this reason, massage therapy, which concentrates on the entire area of the neck and upper back, can be really effective at relieving shoulder pain as well as solving the underlying issue.
Chiropractors will examine your movements to ascertain where the problem area lies, allowing them to treat it effectively. If things aren't clear after a simple examination, then an MRI or CT scan will be carried out. It's possible that one or both of your shoulders has shifted out of alignment. This sounds dramatic, but can usually be fixed by some gentle alignment exercises carried out by your chiropractor.
Posture improvement
Poor posture is very often the culprit when it comes to shoulder, neck and back pain, particularly if you spend a lot of time sitting down during the day. Your chiropractor may recommend using an ergonomic mouse and keyboard, adjusting the height of your desk or chair so that both of your feet touch the ground, or purchasing a more supportive chair. Using a standing desk for a few hours a day can help, too. You should avoid slouching - try imagining a string pulling you up by the top of your head.
Daily stretching
Daily stretching reduces the risk of shoulder pain returning after it's been treated. Some simple exercises you can try at home include holding onto a table with one hand, then swinging your other arm gently back and forth like a pendulum, squeezing your shoulder blades upwards and back, then relaxing, and placing your hands either side of a door frame, then gently leaning forward and holding the position for ten to fifteen seconds. Not all exercises will be suitable for everyone, so ask your chiropractor for advice.