Shoulder pain is very common, in fact, research shows 47% of people will develop shoulder pain annually and 70% will have shoulder pain at some point in their lifetime. Causes of shoulder pain are broad, and can include arthritis, torn muscles or tendons, damaged cartilage, overuse injuries, bone spurs, swollen irritated bursa, adhesive capsulitis (aka frozen shoulder), referred pain from a pinched nerve in the neck, and even heart attacks.
Shoulder pain can be debilitating, limiting the ability to function easily and comfortably, such as sleeping, driving, using a computer, getting dressed, and reaching overhead. Acute and chronic pain in the shoulder can occur for many reasons, depending on what tissue is irritated. Injuries to the shoulder are often short-lived and heal quickly. This is often the case with a minor sprain from overuse, like gardening, carrying something heavy, or after an awkward movement.
When something goes wrong in the mechanics (the movement of the joint) the pain can be short-lived or set off a cycle of pain and inflammation that can last weeks or months.
Understanding what is irritated and how to manage the symptoms is key to getting rid of shoulder pain as quickly as possible.
