Dealing with shoulder pain day in and day out can make it tough to live your life. Shoulder pain can make you irritable, affect your ability to lift things, and decrease your overall performance at work. If you’ve been dealing with constant shoulder pain that you can’t seem to shake, here are 7 ways you can find relief.
1. Ice
No matter what kind of shoulder pain you’re experiencing, ice packs can be a great way to get some relief. Ice helps relieve the swelling that can lead to pain in your shoulder, so icing your shoulder a little bit each day can help you get the relief you need.
Just remember to place a cloth between the ice pack and your skin and use it for no longer than 15 to 20 minutes at a time to avoid ice burns.
2. Medication
When you’re feeling pain of any kind, there are plenty of pain-relieving medications you can reach for to make it stop. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen provide relief from swelling to help reduce pain. However, you shouldn’t take NSAIDs for long periods of time because they can cause damage, so see a doctor if your pain doesn’t stop.
3. Rest
One of the best ways to get rid of pain you’re experiencing is to simply rest and wait for the pain to go away. Your shoulder isn’t going to get better if you keep pushing it and lifting heavy objects, so take some time to kick back and relax while your shoulder gets better. You can always play video games or catch up on your favorite TV show to stay busy while you’re out of commission.
4. Treatment
While there are a lot of ways you can treat shoulder pain at home, sometimes there’s nothing you can do. If your shoulder pain persists after you’ve tried all the home remedies, it’s time to consider shoulder pain treatment.
Waking up with shoulder pain every day makes your life a lot harder, so there’s no shame in visiting a professional to figure out if you have a bulging disc or some other back or shoulder problem.
5. Heat
Just like ice can help provide pain relief for a variety of issues, heat can also help relieve pain. Heat helps open up your blood vessels to allow for better blood flow, which helps speed up the healing process and gives you temporary relief where you’re hurting most. If you don’t have a heating pad you can use on your shoulder, there are lots of great options at your local drug store.
6. Stretching
Shoulder pain can be caused by lots of different things, but sometimes it’s simply a matter of pushing your shoulder past its comfort zone. If you don’t keep your shoulder stretched out, you risk injuring your shoulder when you push yourself too far.
Try doing some stretches when you wake up each morning to keep your shoulder loose and relieve some of the pain you may be feeling as a result of muscle tightness.
7. Massage
Massage therapy can help improve a wide range of conditions, but it’s commonly used as a pain reliever. If your shoulder has been hurting for a while and heat and ice aren’t helping, try getting a massage and see if that helps.
The worst-case scenario is that you get to enjoy a relaxing massage and your shoulder isn’t any better, which isn’t a bad option.
Living with pain isn’t fun, but there are a lot of ways you can find relief from pain and get back to living a normal life. If you’ve been dealing with shoulder pain, try some of these home treatment methods and see a professional if your shoulder pain persists.