Best Ways to Improve Shoulder Pain

In middle aged people, the majority of shoulder pains are caused by tendons in the shoulder known as the rotator cuff.  Regardless of how old you are, management of shoulder pain is the same. 

You might think rest is the best way to manage this pain, the opposite is true.  Joints like the shoulder are meant to move,  if you don't move the shoulder it will become more painful when you do want to move it. 

1) Take pain relief as required.

2) Perform gentle shoulder exercises. 

3) Stop if the pain worsens or gets no better after a few days and seek medical advice. 

4) If you are unsure whether you should be performing any shoulder exercise, consult your doctor or qualified medical practitioner. 

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy has some useful exercise videos for shoulder pain. 

Red flag:  Seek medical advice from your doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• Swelling around the shoulder. 
• Red skin and feeling unwell. 
• Sudden change in shape of your shoulder after an injury. 
• Pain and difficulty raising your arm.