Medically, there are two main problems associated with the shoulder pain you have, in most cases. Muscular irritation of some type, which is called myofascial pain, are the most common problem. The secondary possible problem is a joint pain, or joint dysfunction where there is some reason that the joint is not working properly. Muscle pain in this region is often caused by a lack of strength (did you try to do too much without the physical ability to?) or from overuse injuries (did you do to many repetitive motions?). Car accidents, sports strains, muscle pulls and other similar injuries are common reasons for shoulder blade pain.

Uncommon Pain Causes

There are some other causes of pain that are generally thought of to be uncommon. For example, several diseases and conditions can develop such as a disc herniation, degenerative disc disease, thoracic disc disease and even a fracture of the shoulder blade. Each of these would cause intense pain either form a sudden accident or a developing illness.

Most people are unaware of what has caused their chronic shoulder blade pain, though when there is an accident, the injury is immediately evident. Knowing what caused the pain is important, as it will help you and doctors to determine the best treatment options available to you.

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Avoid Strain

Beyond anything else, the best way to avoid potentially worsening the situation is to avoid strain. I’m often that hard headed person that goes to get something off the top shelf myself or doesn’t wait for someone else to pick up the box. The problem is, this worsens the condition and sends shooting pain throughout the shoulder and back.

Exercise and Stretch

Chronic shoulder pain can be minimized by regular exercise and stretching. Each morning, spend some time stretching the arm. Do rotations, extend your arm and pull at your shoulder, and even just got a good massage on it. These things loosen the muscle which, when not in use (such as at night) tightens up. Exercise is also good, as long as you do not go too far. I like to swim since it loosens the joints and muscles softly.

Spot Worsening Symptoms

When I first started having pain, it hurt badly enough to get me to the doctor. After a while, it became something I lived with. But, you have to know when there is pain that’s more intense than normal or when it becomes something you think about more often. This worsening situation needs medical help and treatment.

Chronic shoulder pain is horrible and often holds people back, but there is help available to most. The key is to know how to manage your pain daily.

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Next, consider some coping mechanisms. For example, even if you are right handed, you can do many things with your left hand if you just try. For example, learn how to pick up a glass and drink from it using your left hand. Learn how to push a shopping cart with your left hand. You may never write with your left hand, but you can minimize the strain on your right shoulder by using your left hand for some tasks.

Depending on what the right shoulder pain has been caused by, you may also want to consider some methods to improving that pain. For example, stretching and flexing the muscles each morning, and then again later in the evening, can greatly improve the level of function you have. Never push or pull so hard that you hurt yourself. If the problem is with the joint, over the counter medications can soothe the pain, but keep in mind that your injury is still there. Avoid heavy lifting and exercise that strains your shoulder, arm or back.

Right shoulder pain may be caused by many things, but it is often a type of pain that lasts. If you have suffered an injury to this area, there is a good chance that you can overcome it with physical therapy, medications or at worst surgery. Avoiding the problem will only make it get worse, though.

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First, massage. If you like to get massages, you have an excuse to get a few extras. If you have never done so before, there is virtually nothing that feels better than this. Really….the amount of pain reduction you have the day of and the following days after a professional massage is amazing.

If you can’t have a professional massage done regularly (I know we haven’t all programmed are local masseurs on speed dial) another option is a muscle cream. These don’t smell as bad as they used to, but they work even better. There are some that deliver a cold chill while others provide a relaxing and intense heat burst. Have a loved one rub it into the muscles that ache. You can do this at night to reduce the shoulder muscle pain you accumulated throughout the day.

Muscle relaxants are medications that can also work. I have had to take these on occasion when the pain has just become too intense to bare. They are a good option, but you don’t want to become dependent and they can throw you out of the loop for a while. Of course, the only type to obtain is prescription strength.

Shoulder muscle pain can be rather annoying and painful especially if the condition becomes chronic. Yet, you can avoid many of those aches and pains through stretching out the muscle before working or exercising. Be sure to take a nice hot shower and invest in a pulsating sprayer head. This too helps to reduce pain.

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Symptoms? Not Me, Right?

I at one point thought that I was suffering from this condition because of the intense pain that I had that seemed to be ongoing. The pain caused by arthritis is very specific. There is almost always a dull ache that seems to be coming from the center of your joint. When you aggravate it, when the weather is cold or when you are under more stress, the pain may be intensified. You may feel stiff in the morning, as if moving your joint is impossible to do. For most people, instances where they don’t move the joint for some time, say for a few hours, cause there to be increased pain when you do move it.

What To Do

If you think you may be suffering from shoulder arthritis, there is only one option to consider: see your doctor first and foremost. It is critical to do this in the early stages so the wearing down of the cartilage can be minimized. Medications and supplements can help. Pain medications can make using your shoulder possible, too. When I told my doctor I thought I was suffering from shoulder arthritis, he told me I needed a physical and took my injury history. He was trying to determine if I had injured the joint in the past. Then, he recommended an x-ray that pinpoints the problems. That’s when they ruled out arthritis for me and instead found a nerve injury.

Nevertheless, if you could be suffering from shoulder arthritis, it is best to speak with your doctor about the condition.  They will find out what’s wrong with you by simply doing a few physical assessments. The good news is that you do not have to suffer with this type of pain for too long. Help is available.

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