Shoulders play a crucial role in many daily activities, from working on a computer to proper yoga poses to making dinner or your bed. The shoulder joint and its surrounding soft tissues are consistently put to use, which increases their risk of injury and discomfort.
As shoulder pain becomes increasingly common, many people turn to chiropractors for relief. Chiropractic techniques provide safe and natural solutions that promote healing by correcting imbalances within the musculoskeletal system, including the body’s joints and soft tissues.
Your local chiropractor can be an invaluable resource for finding the cause of your shoulder pain and providing effective relief.
In this post, we answer the following:
- Why do I have shoulder pain?
- How can I naturally relieve shoulder pain at home?
- What treatments can a chiropractor use to end shoulder pain?
- And more
If your shoulder discomfort interferes with your quality of life, contact a chiropractor to learn how to support your body better and start living pain-free. Read on to learn more.
Why Does My Shoulder Hurt?
Shoulder pain can affect anyone, regardless of age, lifestyle, or ability level. Whether due to a car accident, overuse from sports, or sedentary behavior, your shoulders can develop various dysfunctions that lead to discomfort, stiffness, and reduced range of motion and flexibility.
Common reasons for shoulder pain include:
- Repetitive shoulder use due to occupation, physical activity, or hobbies
- A trauma such as a sports-related accident or slip and fall
- Improper habitual movement patterns, posture, or lifting technique
- Poor ergonomics and workstation setup
- A chronic injury or condition
These events or habits can cause conditions related to shoulder pain, including:
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Disc herniation
- Sprains, strains, and inflammation
- Bursitis
- Arthritis
- Nerve impingement or pinched nerves
- Chronic headaches
- And others
Identifying the root cause of your pain is crucial for appropriate care and prevention of future issues.
Chiropractors offer treatment, guidance, and education to help you achieve and maintain optimal health and strength. They are a great first line of defense for shoulder pain and other spine issues or musculoskeletal imbalances.
Chiropractor-Approved, At-Home Shoulder Pain Treatment
Shoulder pain can create numerous problems in your routine. These natural tips can help reduce your discomfort and contribute to your healing. The best part is that your chiropractor will approve of them!
Rest the shoulder
Avoid pushing through your pain, as this can worsen your discomfort. Stop any activities that exacerbate the problem. Even when resting, be mindful of your posture and sleeping position to avoid putting undue pressure on your shoulder tissues.
Rest and quality sleep are essential for healing and recovery, especially when injured. Prioritize good sleep habits to support your body’s restoration process.
Apply ice and heat
Ice therapy initially reduces swelling, inflammation, and pain by restricting blood flow to the injured area. Once the swelling subsides, heat therapy promotes circulation, delivering nutrients and oxygen to aid healing while relaxing tense muscles.
Treatment protocol:
- Use ice exclusively until swelling diminishes
- Then, alternate between ice and heat
- Apply each for 15 minutes, 3-4 times daily
This approach combines inflammation control with enhanced healing and comfort.
Stretch the shoulder
Balancing rest and movement is crucial for a faster, safer recovery and can provide immediate relief.
Start with gentle stretches to increase blood flow, flexibility, and strength in your shoulder and surrounding soft tissues. Too much downtime can cause unaffected tissues and joints to become sore, stiff, and inflexible, leading to additional problems.
If stretching feels beneficial and improves your mobility, consider incorporating gentle exercises to strengthen your affected arm. Massage can also help stimulate the muscles, promote relaxation, and relieve pressure.
Remember, if any of these treatments cause increased pain, stop immediately. These tips are meant to alleviate pain, not enhance it, so always listen to your body.
Work With Our Orem Chiropractor for Pain Relief
We understand how essential a healthy body is for your daily activities. Our team will evaluate your lifestyle and habits, conduct a thorough physical assessment, and create personalized in-clinic and at-home recommendations to support your efficient recovery.
Treating the injury rather than the symptoms encourages safer healing and reduces the chances of re-injury and recurring discomfort.
Our chiropractic services will nurture the optimal healing plan and recovery process, and we’ll discuss every step with you so you feel confident and comfortable with your journey.
Chiropractic solutions to treat joint pain and injuries include:
- Chiropractic adjustments
- Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)
- PRP injections
- Massage therapy
- Sports injury rehabilitation
- Dry needling
- Kinesio taping
- And more
If your shoulder pain is keeping you from living the active and fulfilling lifestyle you deserve, schedule your appointment today. We’re prepared to help you heal so you can thrive.