Facts About Shoulder Pain Causes in Vacaville

The shoulder is known for being a complex joint that is held together by ligaments, muscles, and tendons. When you have shoulder pain, you will have less mobility and strength, which could disrupt your daily activities. Shoulder pain can be caused by several factors, and each has its own treatment approach. It is important that you learn what is causing your shoulder pain in Vacaville so that you'll know the best way to treat it.

What is causing my shoulder pain in Vacaville?

1. Most shoulder pain is due to aging or injury - Shoulder problems can happen when the soft tissues in your shoulder start to break down. A specific type of injury can cause this degradation or it could happen over time due to our body's natural aging process. The shoulder tissue can also degrade when it is overused, wherein it is very common amongst athletes. Sports like tennis or rowing uses repetitive motions and could be the common cause for overuse.
2. How shoulder problems are diagnosed - You should seek an orthopedic surgeon when you're suffering from chronic shoulder pain. Your orthopedic surgeon will help assess and diagnose your shoulder problems. To help pinpoint the probable cause of your shoulder pain, your doctor will evaluate your medical history, daily activities, and the results of your physical examination. Imaging tests such as x-rays, ultrasounds, or magnetic resonance tests will be required if the problem lies within your shoulder bones or soft tissues.
3. Shoulder pain may indicate an underlying disease - A breakdown of the soft tissues or extreme tightness in your shoulder muscles can cause pain in a specific area or shoots down your arms. If your shoulder pain radiates down your arm to your elbow or fingertips, it means that a disease may be causing your pain. It could be nerve pain that travels along the shoulder, which could be caused by any of the following diseases:
   • Diabetes
   • Heart disease
   • Liver disease
   • Disorder of the spine
   • Once you experience consistent, shooting arm pains, see your physician as soon as possible.
4. Shoulder pain treatment - You can ease your shoulder pain by incorporating rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) method to reduce inflammation and promote healing. After the onset of shoulder pain, try to avoid using your shoulder for 48 hours.
   • Apply some ice on the affected area for 20 minutes, four to eight times a day. Make sure to place some towel between your skin and the ice to protect your skin. Use a bandage or compression wrap to help reduce the swelling. Elevate your shoulder above heart level, even while sleeping.
   • If the RICE method doesn't help, then your shoulder pain may be deeper than a muscle strain or injury. Get in touch with your doctor to get an in-depth diagnosis and treatment plan for your pain.
5. Most common shoulder pain causes
   • Dislocation: When the ball on top of your arm bones comes out of the shoulder socket, it is referred to as a dislocation. There are instances where your arm will just correct itself back into your shoulder, but a doctor must help to reset your joint.
   • Frozen shoulder: If your shoulder experiences a severely restricted movement, then you could be suffering from a frozen shoulder. This is typically caused by:
   • Diabetes
   • Pinched nerve in your neck
   • Worsening rheumatic disease
   • Lack of use due to chronic shoulder pain
   • Rotator cuff disease: Bursitis and tendonitis are common shoulder pain causes, and they can happen either alone or both at the same time. Impingement is a pinching of your shoulder tendons, which could make them inflamed or irritated. Bursitis happens when the fluid sac in your shoulder joint becomes inflamed. It could be caused by a disease or by playing a sport that requires a constant overhead reaching motion.

If you need treatment for your shoulder pain, contact Absolute Integrative Physical Medicine at (707) 474-5688 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Alex Tam.