The shoulders are the most movable joints in the human body connecting the arms and neck. Therefore, like any other body part, swelling, bone changes, or damage around this area can cause intense pain. Maybe you have been lifting heavy weights, walking long distances, exercising a lot, or working for long hours. These circumstances are likely to cause shoulder pain if not well managed.
If you suffer from shoulder pain, there are home remedies available. These remedies will go a long way in reducing pain in your shoulder. However, you need to understand the cause of the pain before administering a particular remedy. It’d be advisable to see a chiropractor when the pain extends to other body parts, occurs repeatedly, the intensity rises, or your body becomes weak.
Here are the ten best home remedies for shoulder pain:
Shoulder Pain Remedy #1: Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Treatments (NSAIDs)
There are two main generic forms of NSAIDs; Naproxen and Ibuprofen. They are used per their label or doctor’s prescription to reduce pain. For quicker identification, popular NSAID brand names include Aleve (for naproxen) and Advil, for Ibuprofen.
Shoulder Pain Remedy #2: Hot Application on the Shoulder
A gentle hot shower of about 5 to 10 minutes can reduce shoulder pain. Often, people suffer shoulder pain from sleeping; that good hot shower will help you feel better. Alternatively, you can use an electric heating pad on moderate heat levels. Study shows that our bodies respond better to medium heat levels than high ones.
Additionally, microwave pellets (rice bags) are a great home remedy for shoulder pain. As you use them, often check your skin to ensure you’re not causing burns on yourself. Ensure to check the precautions before using these gadgets.
Shoulder Pain Remedy #3: Ice Application on the Shoulder
Cold compresses with a bag of frozen peas or frozen gel pack for about 15 minutes will help reduce that shoulder pain. Ice massage is also an excellent option for shoulder pain. To apply ice on a painful shoulder, wrap the ice pack on a soft cloth, then compress it on the skin directly. It’s not advisable to let the cold pack lie to the area of operation for more than 10 minutes to avoid frostbite.
Shoulder Pain Remedy #4: Try A Salt Bath
Although it’s an ‘old-school tip, it has proven to impact the hurting shoulder. Fill a bathtub with mild hot water, add Epsom salts, then soak the injured shoulder for about 15 minutes. The salts are relaxing and soothing; you can also put essential oils into the bath.
The importance of the salt bath is to ease muscle cramps, relieve joint stiffness, soothe the pain, and stimulate circulation on a paining shoulder. Advice: Don’t use a salt bath if you have a skin infection, an allergic reaction like hives or rashes, or an open wound.
Shoulder Pain Remedy #5: Implement a Massage Therapy
Seek a professional to knead your sore shoulder, but if you do it yourself, you can use a tennis ball and a sock. Put the tennis ball in the sock, and place it at the back of your shoulder where it’s painful. Against a wall, apply pressure to the ball, roll around, and give yourself a massage. If this trick doesn’t prove to be working, you can visit a massage therapist.
Shoulder Pain Remedy #6: Conduct Gentle Stretches
Stretching the muscles that join the shoulder joint can help reduce shoulder pain. Muscles that can move freely through your shoulder’s motion won’t stress to stretch, unlike tight muscles. Flexibility and regular exercises can also help prevent further pain. Essentially, check out appropriate ways of stretching to avoid hurting yourself further.
Shoulder Pain Remedy #7: Prescription of Muscle Relaxants
Muscle relaxants can help treat pain if you have spasms or muscle tension around the shoulder joint. Several muscle relaxants to use include baclofen, tizanidine, and cyclobenzaprine. However, ensure you have a doctor’s prescription before usage.
Shoulder Pain Remedy #8: Pain Killer Medication
Medications such as aspirin and acetaminophen can help reduce shoulder pain. Although these medications come with several side effects, including heartburn and stomach upset, they are the quickest option if you can’t reach the hospital.
Even better, tropical pain-relief creams and gels can handle shoulder pain with no side effects, unlike oral medications. Diclofenac is a commonly used drug for shoulder pains and has been approved by Health Canada.
Shoulder Pain Remedy #9: Activity Modification and Rest
If you’ve been experiencing shoulder pain for a while or after you’ve done a certain activity, it’s better to consider changing, stopping or modifying the activity. As you rest, it’s advisable to consider minor duties that will help your muscles remain flexible and active.
Shoulder Pain Remedy #10: Ginger Spice Treatment
As an aromatic spice, ginger has many health benefits, including pain relief. It also has anti-inflammatory effects and stimulates blood flow in the paining shoulder. One of the best ways to take ginger is by adding it to your tea and meals.
