When to Seek Treatment for Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain is very common.  There are a variety of causes of shoulder pain.  The pain can even originate from your neck.  Shoulder pain can be in the joint, the muscles around the shoulder blade, and even radiate down the arm.  Since it is so common, it is often difficult to know when to seek treatment for shoulder pain. 

The first line treatment for your shoulder pain should include avoiding activities that aggravate the shoulder.  This, along with over-the-counter anti-inflammatories, can help reduce inflammation which is causing pain and allow your body to heal the injury.  If these treatments, along with a period of rest do not improve your pain, seeking the assistance of a medical professional is a good idea. 

When thinking about your shoulder pain, try to remember if there was a certain injury that caused it.  What does the pain feel like, and what aggravates your shoulder pain?  These are important questions that will help your orthopedic surgeon to determine the cause, and appropriate treatment plan for your shoulder pain.