4 Shoulder Pain Relief Tricks You've Got to Try
If you've clicked on this blog, it's either because you suffer from shoulder pain, someone you know or love suffers from shoulder pain, or, you're just genuinely curious! Whatever the reason, we're glad you're here!
Shoulder pain is extremely common: 3/5 of Americans say they have shoulder pain, and would rate their pain as at least moderate, with 1/5 of those rating their pain as severe (that's 40 million people!)
Pain in your shoulders can be exaggerated by frequent laptop, smartphone, and/or tablet use - technology that we find very central to our everyday lives.
Of course, stress does nothing to help the pain that's already prevalent, and when you're stressed, your body will tense up. This can create tension headaches and neck strain in addition to the shoulder aches, which can make it difficult to sleep at night. The more tired you are, the more stressed your body is going to be! It's a vicious circle!
If you or someone you know is suffering, check out these tips to help break the cycle of your pain.
Tip #1 - Massage
Do the muscles in your shoulders feel bunched up and tied in knots? If you ever needed an excuse to treat yourself to a nice 50 minute shiatsu or a hot stone massage, this is it. But a trained masseuse isn't the only one who can help relieve your pain - if paying for someone else to give you a massage isn't your thing, ask a friend or loved one to massage your shoulders, or you can even do it yourself! Using things like lotion or warm oil will help to work out those stubborn knots, and it will also help your stress levels sink!
Try to rub out your sore muscles a little bit each day. Maybe on your lunch break, maybe right when you get home from work, or right before bed! Just make sure you're giving your shoulders the attention they deserve.
Tip #2 - Epsom Salt Baths
A bag or box of epsom salt will only run you a couple of bucks at major drugstores - and it's worth every penny! The hot water bath will help you and your muscles relax regardless of whether or not you use epsom salts, but there are some major benefits to adding them in.
Epsom salt has been used for hundreds of years to treat aches and pains, and when you throw it in your bath water, it will break down into magnesium and sulfate. This combination is soaks into your skin, helping reduce your overall pain and improve your circulation.
Epsom salt baths have been used for a myriad of health issues, including tired and swollen feet, insomnia, fibromyalgia, and arthritis - so if you haven't tried an epsom salt bath yet, you definitely should!
Tip #3 - Exercise or Stretch
It might sound difficult to target your shoulders during exercising, when they already hurt, but exercise can help in a couple different ways. One, when you're exercising your shoulders, you're improving the muscle and making it stronger. The stronger your muscles are, the less prone to everyday aches and pains they will be. Exercise also brings on a rush of endorphins that will inhibit the transmission of pain signals - doesn't that sound great?
Stretching the muscle will also help relieve tension and loosen the muscle, aiding in the eradication of those stubborn knots or aches and pains. If you're looking for some stretches to exercise your shoulder, you can check here and here.
Tip #4 - Work on Posture
Posture is always in the back of your mind when you're sitting or standing. You know you should have better posture, but probably never make any effort to actually improve it, right? Don't worry, we all do it. It's hard to change your ways! But if you're living with shoulder pain, your posture could be a huge culprit.
Experts recommend a variety of different tools and exercises to help improve your posture, such as getting up from your desk or chair once every hour and taking a short walk, being mindful of your body posture, and even lifting your neck and eyes away from your computer screen for 20 seconds every twenty minutes (this will help with eye strain, too). Set reminders on your phone, set reminders on your computer! It'll help you set your new, good habits.
You can also install an extension onto your Chrome web browser called PostureMinder, which will periodically pop up on your browser to remind you to sit up straight. People often underestimate the importance of good posture - over time, poor posture will put unnecessary stress on your spine, back, and shoulders, which can lead to further issues in your discs, muscles, and joints.
Re-training your body to stand and sit with good posture will take time, so don't get discouraged! Keep working at it and eventually, it will be a natural habit for you.
Most Importantly - See Your Chiropractor!
All of these examples are great things you can try at home to reduce your own pain - but at the end of the day, you should still see your chiropractor. Your chiropractor is going to know your body from the inside out, and they will help you deal with the cause of your shoulder pain rather than just treating and minimizing the symptoms. A chiropractor can also give you individualized tips specific to your shoulder and body that will help you be as successful as possible in reducing your pain.
Looking to reduce your shoulder pain from the inside out? We'd love to help! Sign up for an appointment with one of our five skilled chiropractors and learn how to reduce your pain today!