About Shoulder Pain
Often we don’t think about our shoulders until they start to cause us pain. The shoulder is subject to a wide range of injuries because it is the most mobile joint in the body. If shoulder problems go unchecked, they can lead to life-long and potentially debilitating issues. Managing a shoulder joint injury effectively means identifying the direct cause.
Causes of Shoulder Pain
Some of the most common causes of shoulder pain include spinal misalignment, arthritis, abnormal patterns of movement, and injuries from athletic or automobile accidents. While some of these causes may produce localized swelling in the shoulder joint, more of them point to the spine as the source of pain. If the vertebrae around the neck and upper back are compressed or injured, then nerves connecting to the shoulder become irritated, producing pain. Even minor spinal misalignments can cause problems with shoulder nerves. As a result, shoulder pain may actually be caused by a problem in the spinal column.
Symptoms of Shoulder Injury
Due to the wide variety of causes, shoulder pain and abnormal motion can develop suddenly or at a gradual pace. Some symptoms of shoulder injuries can be very subtle, only gradually developing into major issues. Since many daily activities involve the shoulder joint, symptoms of an injury need to be monitored carefully and treated swiftly. Unmanaged shoulder issues can progress into permanent nerve damage. Symptoms indicating a need for urgent examination include:
- Shoulder pain that lasts more than a week
- Difficulty raising your arm above your head
- Snapping or clicking in the joint with movement
- Visual signs of bruising or swelling