When people talk about shoulder and back pain, they are referring to soreness that can be felt in varying degrees from the waist all the way up to the neck and laterally from there - in the shoulders and shoulder blade.
The shoulder blades, or scapulae, are a sensitive spot where many muscles grip, as are the plexuses, the closest of which are the shoulder and neck.
Shoulder and back pain can vary depending on the root cause: severe or mild, sharp or dull, short-lived or chronic. Sometimes they may feel like "shooting", be in spurts or cause stiffness of the arm, etc.
This type of pain is quite common and can lead to limited mobility and discomfort in daily life.
Among the most likely factors provoking the pain may be disease states such as:
Other possible causes that may predispose to back and shoulder pain are:
It is imperative to see a doctor if your pain persists for more than a week. Another thing that should be a sign for you of the need to consult a doctor are the tingling or numbness of the buttocks and also of the legs.
Muscle cramps, intolerable pain, new symptoms such as fever or if you are losing weight are also cause for concern.
To find out what is the appropriate treatment for shoulder pain, you need a comprehensive examination.
When you see the specialist, he or she will take your medical history and perform a physical examination. He or she may request a scan, x-ray and other tests.
Key to the successful treatment of back pain and shoulder pain is identifying the root cause. If the pain is due to a pinched or inflamed nerve, or a musculoskeletal disorder, drug therapy with anti-inflammatories, painkillers, vitamin B and micronutrients is usually prescribed.
Topical therapy with a suitable cream, gel, ointment or compress can also be applied to relieve soreness.
If it is about internal inflammatory processes, it is very likely to appoint an antibiotic. If there is also a disease of the digestive system or other it should be treated, because the pain may be a symptom of it and disappear after its proper treatment.
In rare cases of pain due to tumor growth, inflamed gallbladder, etc., surgical treatment may be necessary. After the recovery period the pain will subside.
A winning strategy for relieving shoulder and back pain is the use of various physiotherapy methods. Consulting with a physical therapist can provide you with personalized techniques and exercises to strengthen the muscles around the shoulder, improve circulation and relieve back tension.
Many forms of passive and active physiotherapy can help to eliminate acute or chronic back or shoulder pain.
These include, for example:
Back massage has a calming effect on the nervous system, reducing tension and chronic pain. It stimulates blood flow, reduces stiffness and calms the nervous system. It can be applied to plexitis, neuralgia, etc.
In acute internal inflammations, skin diseases, varicose veins or thrombosis, massage as a method should be coordinated with a doctor.
Ultrasound therapy is a non-invasive treatment that can be used for chronic shoulder and back pain, among other conditions. Therapeutic ultrasound relaxes existing tissue tension and muscle spasms by penetrating deeply. It also increases blood flow and reduces chronic inflammation.
The method is applied through specialized devices, and can also be effective for peripheral nerve damage, musculoskeletal injuries and other causes of back and shoulder pain. The benefits are in the direction of improved tissue metabolism, improved blood supply, blocking pain receptors and relieving muscle tension.
Performing a variety of exercises can help to loosen and reduce upper back and shoulder pain. They can remove stiffness and affect various problems that are related to the musculoskeletal system, among others. Regularly doing active exercises along with a stretching program designed by a physiotherapist will relieve the muscles.
Exercise and other methods of relieving back and shoulder pain are an important part of treatment. It is essential that they are correctly selected and dosed by a physiotherapist who takes into account the patient's tolerance to exercise and accompanying medical conditions.
With shoulder and back pain, especially if it is acute, you should certainly not lift heavily, bend and stand up sharply, or engage in weight-bearing and strength sports.
It is also important not to stay sitting or straight for a long time, move more often and move your waist and shoulder girdle.
Also aim to reduce stress with deep breathing and relaxation techniques. Do not overestimate the effect of painkillers, because if they are not accompanied by comprehensive treatment, your condition may become complicated.
