You may be experiencing shoulder pain due to any number of reasons, from sitting at your computer all day, to picking up your kids, to playing sports. Heck, even scratching your back, reaching for something in a cabinet, or moving the wrong way at the gym can leave you with an achy shoulder. You’re not alone: between 18 and 26 percent of the adult population suffers from some kind of shoulder pain in their lives. 

The most common causes of shoulder pain include:

  • Tendon inflammation (tendinitis or bursitis) or tendon tear
  • Instability
  • Arthritis
  • Fracture

Some pain is temporary while other pain is chronic and can be treated with state-of-the-art minimally invasive treatments. Here’s how to keep your shoulders healthy and pain free. 

Shoulder Health at Work

Many shoulder injuries happen in the workplace. Here’s how you can prevent them while on the job:

  • Ask for an ergonomic assessment to ensure your work space accommodates your specific needs.
  • Keep your elbows and arms close to your body when lifting heavy objects. Ask a co-worker for assistance. 
  • Understand workplace hazards such as slippery or hazardous conditions, and avoid them.
  • Organize your work space so your computer and desk are at waist to chest height.
  • Stay away from highly repetitive tasks that require use of the upper body, as well as overhead lifting. If you do have to engage in repetitive tasks due to the nature of your job, take frequent breaks to stretch. 

Shoulder Health at Home

Here are some tips to protect your shoulders during daily life. 

  • Divide chores into smaller ones and spread them out over several days rather than tackling them all at once.
  • Keep up with an active lifestyle.
  • Get a physical every year and promptly treat conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and thyroid issues which may impact shoulder health.
  • Refrain from smoking cigarettes, as they increase your risk for cancer and can impact your overall orthopedic and shoulder health.

When to See a Specialist

If self-care, gentle exercises and OTC medications do not work, it may be time to see a specialist. Here are some signs it’s time to make the call:

  • Your shoulder pain is persistent and does not lessen after a couple of weeks. 
  • You can’t lift your hand over your head without experiencing stiffness and pain.
  • You fell directly on your shoulder. 
  • You can’t fall asleep at night due to the pain over many weeks.

Your doctor will likely recommend a few treatment options, such as activity changes, anti-inflammatory medications.  Surgery is usually a last resort, as it comes with long recovery times, pain, the need for rehab, and a possible reliance on opioids. 

Experiencing Persistent Shoulder Pain? Contact Summit Spine & Joint Centers Today!

Whether due to injury or overuse, our many treatment options including Radiofrequency Ablation , can relieve your shoulder pain so you can enjoy your active lifestyle again. Call Summit Spine and Joint Centers today at (770) 962-3642 to schedule your consultation with our pain management specialists.