Many times there is an injury that sets the cycle of inflammation in motion. Once the shoulder is inflamed it can be difficult to stop the vicious circle of injury, inflammation and pain. There are many different ways to address the pain, including medications, exercises to strengthen the area and supplements. There are new and exciting areas of research that are concentrating on joint pain relief. One of the newest and most exciting supplements on the market is composed of CFA’s (cetylated fatty acids). These appear to be able to help reduce inflammation, cushion the joints and relieve stiffness. Any help with pain and inflammation relief is good news.

There are other reasons why patients complain of pain in the shoulder joint. Some people may experience a rotator cuff tear. This condition often needs to be taken care of with surgery. A shoulder dislocation, separation or a loose joint (shoulder instability) can also cause pain in this area. A condition called frozen shoulder also exists and causes stiffness in the shoulder joint. Many times physical therapy that includes a stretching regimen can bring relief for this problem.

There are many various conditions and injuries that a shoulder can sustain, so a trip to the doctor for a diagnosis and for treatment advice is never a bad idea. Most times a doctor should be consulted sooner than later. If your shoulder hurts so much that you cannot carry anything, there has been persistent pain for many days, you cannot raise your arm, or any type of deformity is present you need to visit with a physician. Also, get checked out if swelling, bruising, fever, redness or warmth is present.

Shoulder pain is common; still, it is no laughing matter. It can be irritating at the least and debilitating at the most. By being smart and proactive you can (hopefully) save yourself from a long drawn-out issue by addressing the problem and seeking ways in which to treat it. Talking to your primary care physician is the best place to start!

Another option that works well in addition to resting the shoulder joint is applying heat or ice. In the vast majority of cases ice is the best option. It should be used as soon as possible after an injury to help prevent swelling and therefore reducing pain in the area. Heat is used much less often than ice and really should only be applied if it is recommended by a health care professional. Either option should be used carefully in order to avoid causing any other problems such as burns. These treatment options are the most common and are easy to do and inexpensive as well.

Physical therapy may be needed depending on the severity of the shoulder joint issue. Oftentimes, there is a stretching routine involved that can be instrumental in pain relief as well as progress if there is stiffness in the joint. A physical therapist will often set goals to help the patient return to a pre-injury range of motion as well as strength. It is fairly common for this type of treatment to be covered by health insurance.

Many doctors may recommend a medication or supplement. NSAIDS, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, are one such medication. These are best of the pain is due to inflammation. Bursitis, tendonitis and arthritis in the shoulder may be relived with this type of medication. Many joint pain supplements are also available on the market today. Along with glucosamine and chondroitin there is another supplement that is new on the market and showing very positive results. It is made from cetylated fatty acids. This supplement had been shown to reduce inflammation, increase mobility by reducing the stiffness the joint, and has thus far shown no side effects. All of these options may bring relief to shoulder joint pain.

Don’t allow yourself to suffer with shoulder joint pain. See your doctor and develop a treatment plan so that you can get out and enjoy your life! It may be easier than you ever imagined.