Shoulder Pain: Know One Of The Main Causes And How To Protect Them

The benefits of physical activities for health are undeniable: they increase immunity, well-being, availability for the day to day, in addition to helping to control cholesterol and triglyceride levels, preventing the development of diseases associated with a sedentary lifestyle. However, performing them without the necessary care can cause injuries, such as those that cause pain in the shoulders.

Complaints of this type of pain usually come from people who practice weight training or other modalities in which there is an overload of the shoulder joint without being prepared to bear it. This occurs mainly in those who practice the activities without the proper guidance and supervision of a professional in the area.

Excess weight on the shoulders can cause inflammation of the tendons and bursa – a fluid pocket that reduces friction between the tendon and the bone. This causes inflammation known as tendinitis and bursitis.

In addition to weight training, other sports are also strongly associated with shoulder pain complaints: throwing sports, martial arts, tennis, and cycling. But sports are not the only cause: falls, car accidents, and repetitive work activities are closely related to tendon wear and chronic injuries.

Main types of injuries and pathologies that cause shoulder pain in Belleville NJ

• Shoulder dislocation: occurs when the head of the humerus leaves its correct position. This could be related to hyperextension or a tear in the ligaments. This dislocation can become chronic in some cases, causing the shoulder to dislocate with the slightest movement.
• Rotator cuff injury: injuries that occur in a set of tendons and muscles that surround the shoulder joint. They can occur due to tendon injuries, constant repetition of movements, aging, or rupture caused by trauma. In this case, in addition to pain, there may be a lack of strength and decreased mobility.
• Arthritis: is an inflammation of the joint. It can occur isolated or associated with arthritis in other joints of the body and have different causes: autoimmune, post-trauma, infection, or other systemic diseases. In addition to the pain, the patient may feel the joint swollen and stiff.
• Bursitis: These pockets of fluid provide greater mobility to the shoulder joint, but they can also inflame, causing bursitis. This inflammatory process usually arises from the repetition of movements, causing pain and limitation of movement.
• Arthrosis: with a higher incidence after 65 years of age, arthrosis is a pathology that makes the patient progressively lose movement because of pain. Arthrosis occurs when the cartilage that protects the joints is worn away, exposing the bones to friction in movement, and causing irreversible damage to them.
• Adhesive capsulitis: Also known as frozen shoulder syndrome, adhesive capsulitis is characterized by stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint.

Shoulder Pain Diagnosis

To discover the cause of shoulder pain, it is essential to consult a doctor. In addition to the clinical examination and investigation of the patient's history, he may request imaging tests to define the diagnosis. Exams such as X-ray, ultrasound, and MRI are indicated to confirm the diagnosis and detail the degree and extent of joint involvement.

How to take care of shoulder health

Although there are causes for shoulder pain associated with aging and systemic diseases, most injuries to these joints can be avoided by following these simple tips:

• Always practice physical activity with the guidance of a qualified professional, taking special care with weight training and stretching;
• Take care of excess weight on the shoulders, whether in training or in everyday life;
• If you feel pain in your shoulders, see a doctor. Never self-medicate.