When to See a Doctor About Shoulder Pain

Your body is an intricate network of bone, muscle, and tissue that allows you to move every joint. Your shoulder joints, for instance, let you throw a football or wave at your neighbor. Pain in or around your shoulder area is a problem that may put your life on pause.

At AllCare Chiropractic, we provide patient-focused care that centers on a patient’s unique needs and concerns. If you have shoulder pain that doesn’t go away on its own or fails to improve with home treatment, our team of chiropractors can help.

Learn what symptoms of shoulder pain to watch out for and when you should give us a call. 

Causes of shoulder pain

You may associate shoulder injuries with athletes, but shoulder pain can impact most anyone, regardless of age, occupation, or lifestyle. Common causes of shoulder pain include:

• Activities of daily living
• Automobile accidents
• Osteoarthritis
• Sports injury
• Nerve damage or pinched nerves
• Tendinitis from overuse
• Joint instability
• Dislocation
• Frozen shoulder

Some shoulder injuries aren’t much to worry about, and can resolve with rest and home remedies. 

Home remedies

If the aches and pains associated with your shoulder injury are minimal, or the pain level decreases within a few days, it’s likely your injury is healing independently and doesn’t need medical treatment.

In the meantime, rest, over-the-counter medication, and other home remedies may help, such as:

• Ice or heat therapy
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) creams, ointments, or patches
• Ibuprofen or other NSAID medication
• A brace or sling

Shoulder pain that doesn’t go away naturally or with home care can sometimes indicate a more serious problem. 

When to worry

When shoulder problems begin, the most recognizable symptom is pain. Patients describe most shoulder pain as feeling dull or stabbing. If the pain in your shoulder isn’t getting better; maybe even getting worse, then you need to see a doctor. 

Additional symptoms to watch for are:

• Swelling
• Redness
• Warmth around the joint
• Prolonged inability to complete basic tasks
• Decreased range of motion
• Tingling or numbness in your arms or hands

Shoulder pain that coincides with breathing difficulties or tightness in your chest can indicate a heart attack. If you experience a combination of these symptoms, you should seek emergency treatment right away. 

What’s next

If it turns out that your shoulder injury requires medical intervention, we start by performing a thorough physical examination. This assessment helps determine the root of your shoulder problem and can rule out more complex causes.

If no reason for your shoulder is easily discernible, we may order additional tests, such as an MRI or X-ray. At AllCare Chiropractic, treatment options for stubborn shoulder injuries include physical therapy, chiropractic adjustments, and physiotherapy.

Call the AllCare Chiropractic office nearest you, or book an appointment with our convenient online scheduling tool today.