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shoulder pain

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Q: What could be causing right shoulder pain and hand numbness?
Hi, I’m 34weeks and 4days pregnant for the past 3 weeks I’ve had borderline high blood pressure and trace of protein with mild headaches. Over the past few days my headaches have been getting slightly worse and is now accompanied by mild blurred vision I realise that this could be a sign of Pre-eclamsia and I’m being monitored for this but would like to know if the recent hand numbness and right shoulder pain I’ve started getting could also be a sign?

A: Shoulder pain can turn into pains in the hands and head. You could have a pinched muscle as part of the problem. There are ways to release the muscles but each group has a different approach so it’s impossible to pass along that info.

Q: What are the positions of sleeping to avoid shoulder and back pain?
i always experience shoulder pain everytime i wake up in the morning.please help me.

A: I used to get that – I try to fall asleep flat on my back. Make sure your pillows aren’t supporting your neck and head too high because that can also put a strain on your back and shoulders. Try and use a squishy pillow if you can :)

Q: What would cause pain from the shoulder only when I do this?
If I take something as light as a stapler, and extend my arm out to my side I am fine, but If i then (with my arm extended) swing my arm in front of me it hurts very badly.

I do allot of weight lifting, and have always had this shoulder pain, it seems to only hurt when my shoulder is rotated to the front of my body.

I have been taking anti inflammatory, and they have not been able to help. ANy suggestions?

A: As a disclaimer, I am not a doctor, nor a medical professional, but I have had numerous surgeries on my shoulder.

It sounds like you are having issues with your rotator cuff. The rotator cuff is responsible for moving your arm around in its socket. This is why the pain is confined to certain areas/movements. You might notice that while you hold the stapler at some angles there is no pain, while at other angles it is quite painful. This is because the rotator cuff is made up of four major muscles (supraspinatus, etc.) that allow it to move roughly 360 degrees. Most people only injure a part of their rotator cuff which is why the pain is a “range of motion” issue and not in the whole shoulder.

The cause of rotator cuff injuries varies greatly. They are common in pitchers, swimmers, and other people whose sports/professions involve heavy use of a rotating shoulder. Also, trauma (most often a violent dislocation) can cause injury as well. From what you have described, it is possible that your weightlifting is causing, or exacerbating, the issue.

You should definitely see a doctor for this issue. He/she will be able to identify (either through physical examination, or MRI) the exact cause of your injury. If your rotator cuff is torn it will require surgery. However, in many cases, the rotator cuff is loose and physical therapy will help repair it. Also, a doctor might be able to tell you how to change your workout routine to avoid future complications. One danger of leaving it untreated is that it can further destabilize the shoulder and lead to more problems (e.g. a tear in the muscles, dislocation, more pain, etc.). Bottom line, have a professional check it out before it becomes more of a problem. Good Luck.

Q: how can i get rid of the worst shoulder pain ever?
im 14 years old, and starting in about november, i was getting bad shoulder pains in the same spot. it was bad then, but now it’s only gotten worse. i used to be able to ignore it but now it’s so painful that i can’t even focus in school, this knot is huge too, it begins below the shoulder blade, then a little bit of it is under the shoulder blade and then the rest it about up to my neck. i used to think it was because i carry a somewhat heavy backpack all day at school, but it’s been chronic on only one shoulder. ive tried the rolling on the golf or tennis ball thing, and ive gotten my mom to massage it, nothing seems to work. i don’t know what i can do to make this pain go away. i take ibuprofen but it wears off quickly. i just want all this pain in my shoulder to go away. should i see a doctor about this? or is there another alternative? please help this pain is about to drive me crazy.

A: It sounds as if you may have bursitis…it is an inflamation…they can give you steroid shots for that…cortisone…no you WON’T grow a beard or get muscles so don’t worry…but talk about a relief!!! OMG!! I suffered with it too until I got a couple shots…no problems since. Good luck!

Q: What can be the cause of my constant shoulder pain and what can I do about it?
I have this constant pain on my shoulder, around shoulder blade, and pain in my arm. It basically feels as if I have had the shit beaten out of me. I can’t even really stand to have any one touch these areas.

A: it may be a trapped nerve see a physiotherapist

Q: How to get relief from wrist and shoulder pain?
I have continuous pain in my right shoulder, wrist and elbow for the past few months. I feel it is due to continuous use of mouse and keyboard. Previously I had similar pain in upper back and neck area and relieved about 85% with some simple exercises.

I hope some one can help me with some exercises to overcome this problem. Many thanks.

A: I think you know the practical answer is that you are on the computer too long and need breaks. Now that you are ready to go on working on 85% and put up with the pain do you think your body is going to say OK we can do this! No! its going to put you in a position where you may have to give up computing altogether. Love yourself and your spirit, go for a walk in nature, talk to real people, get out more. Change your career if all it is is computing. Look up EFT Gary Craig for the mental side of it. The body is trying to tell you something.

Q: Why do I have severe shoulder pain in the morning?
When I woke up this morning I had a sharp pain in my left shoulder. It was so bad I had to groan. After about 20 minutes the pain went away. I haven’t been working out recently, and all I did yesterday was drive. Could it be I slept on my left side with my shoulder scrunched up, and that restricted blood flow to the area?

A: you probably feel a sleep in an uncomfortable position that resulted in the pain.

i get that a lot. so you’ll be fine

Q: How does endometriosis cause shoulder pain?
How Is shoulder pain related and is it(and other pain associated to endometriosis) always cyclical?

A: It might do, one can have patches of endometrotic material almost anywhere in or even on the body. If you have an ectopic patch of this tissue on the diaphragm it may well cause shoulder pain. Discus it with your GP, one option would be to attempt to confirm this using a laporoscope and then arrange for the tissue to be cauterised via the scope at the same time.

Q: What type of doctor do I need to see for shoulder pain?
My shoulder began hurting a few weeks ago, and I have limited range of motion right now. Most of the time it doesn’t hurt at all, but if I move it the wrong way it hurts very badly. I’m planning on going to the doctor, but I don’t know which type of doctor to see. I’ve never had this type of pain before, and I want to go to the right person. Thanks for the help.

A: orthopaedic surgeon
physiotherapist
chiropractor

Don’t let ANYONE do physio or chiropractic manipulations on you without diagnostic tests done first!!!!!!!!!! If they do not know what’s wrong with your shoulder, they have no business initiating treatment. Doing so can make your problem worse, can delay getting the proper therapy, and can cost you a lot of money unnecessarily.

Diagnostics can include x-rays, cat scan, MRI, ultrasound, manual palpation, putting you through a range of motion, questions about previous activities/sleeping positions, medical history, family medical history…

Q: What brand of bicycle sits you upright to reduce back and shoulder pain?
I saw an infomercial a while ago about a revolutionary new bicycle that allows the rider to sit almost completely upright thus greatly reducing back and shoulder pain when riding. Only now that I’m ready to buy a bike, I can’t remember that kind of bike. Anyone know?

A: i have to agree with the Electra crowd go to your local bike shop and tell them your looking for a cruiser I’m sure they will point you in the right direction good luck

Q: How to allievate frozen shoulder pain?
My mother developed a frozen shoulder and is in some pain – does anyone have any tips on what can be done to help ease the pain.

She has been given some tablets (which I think are inflammatries) by the doctor, but the pain is really getting her down.
Most sites that I googled seem to just try and sell products or services.

A: Your mother has my most sincere sympathy. Frozen shoulder is certainly a frustrating and painful problem. I have been through that with both of my shoulders – not much fun – but they are back to normal now.

The anti-inflammatory medications are a common treatment. They may or may not help your mother – I hope they do. The usual treatment involves physical therapy and exercises to keep the shoulder mobile and flexible. Even though it can be very painful to move the joint, it is very important to keep moving the joint so that the problem does not become worse.

If your mother can go to a physical therapist, then she will be able to get personal advice about stretching, bending, and pushing the shoulder joint through a range of motion. It is undeniably painful when starting, but continued use of the exercises will make it easier.

Frozen shoulder can sometimes resolve itself spontaneously – but that may not occur for a year or more, which is a long time to wait in pain.

I have included various links below to sites that are (mostly) not trying to sell anything. Some have descriptions of exercises that your mother can try. There are many different shoulder exercises, and what I found only show a few.

Good luck to her!

Q: What can I do about shoulder pain in my arm while I do push-ups?
I do about ten push-ups and where my arm meets my shoulder starts to hurt really bad. Even after stopping, it hurts when I move my arm. After a few days, the pain stops; but as soon as I exert myself, it hurts again. Any clues as to what is happening? Any ideas as to what I can do to prevent or stop this?

A: Give it a rest and see an orthopaedic surgeon.

Q: What do I do about neck and shoulder pain?
The muscles in my shoulder and neck area are always aching and tense.Right now, the pain in my left shoulder area is hurting.I don’t know what is causing it or what I can do to make them feel better.Anyone know?

A: Common causes are from stress of constant chronic elevation of the shoulders as in holding a phone without proper elbow support or sitting in a chair without proper armrests. Other causes are injury to the joints from a side to side force and long term or chronic compression of the muscle as with tight bra straps or a heavy coat that does not fit right. The reference below illustrates a stretch which may help.

Q: Anyone ever get cortisone shots for chronic shoulder pain? How often? Do they work? Do they hurt?
I have chronic shoulder pain in my right shoulder, near the rotator cuff. Nothing is torn so no surgery is required, but there is constant low-grade pain whenever I put the least amount of stress on it. I recently started weight training, and am doing fairly heavy weights… This activity has neither helped nor worsened the condition so far, but the pain is starting to limit my progress in the gym. Should I consider cortisone shots?

A: my experience with shoulder pain was diagnosed as tendonitis. I got a cortizone shot, and have had no relief. but take that with a grain of salt! I had the shots in my neck for severe whiplash after a car accident and had great results…depends on whether or not the doctor is successful at “hitting the spot”….if your pain is low grade…I’d be tempted to lay off the weight lifting…allow the shoulder time to heal on it’s own. Your probably doing more harm than good at this point. Try a visit to an orthopedic doctor. See what they have to say. I do know people that have had great results from cortizone shots in the shoulder. Good luck in your decision!

Q: How do I get rid of this shoulder pain?
Im a baseball player. Im 15 years old. 3 days ago i did a shoulder workout and it still pains me. It makes it difficult and it hurts to throw. Does it go away on its own? How do I get rid of the pain?

A: Depending on where your shoulder pain is (in the back or in the joint) will determine the answer to this one. Heat increases blood flow to the area to encourage healing, where ice will decrease swelling and inflammation. This is why doctors will advise to swap between the two. Heat for 30 mins, rest 30 mins, ice 30 mins and repeat for the first 24 hrs post-injury.

You need to rest that shoulder, try taking an anti-inflammatory (like ibuprofen) for the inflammation and pain. Make sure you follow the directions on the bottle carefully. More medication doesn’t mean more pain relief, it means more complications than you started with.

Definitely see an orthopedic doctor regarding this injury. If you are a pitcher, it could be a rotator cuff issue and those are nothing to mess around with. More throwing can increase the damage over time and decrease the length of time you’ll be able to play baseball. Good luck to you!

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