How to Help with Shoulder Pain in Winter

As much as we look forward to spending time with friends and family and everything that the festive season brings, it can be stressful. And when you have physical pain, it can be even more stressful, but that doesn’t mean you have to endure it.

We carry a lot on our shoulders these days, both figuratively and literally, so much so that shoulder pain can be a very real problem. The weight of our rucksacks, carrier bags, even winter coats can weigh heavy on our shoulders. We want you to enjoy Christmas, so let’s look at some ways to help ease the pain.
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Sadly, there’s no overnight solution to cure shoulder pain, but there are some things that can really help you. If you do these regularly and correctly, then shoulder pain can be greatly reduced.

Shoulder Joint Anatomy
The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the human body. It works as a ball-and-socket joint, which provides us with a wide range of movement. The joint is held together by fibrous threads called ‘the capsule’. There are also four muscles and associated tendons that control movement and help keep it together. That said, the pain you may be feeling in your shoulder doesn’t always mean its a problem with the shoulder joint. Upper arm pain and neck ache can cause pain that is felt across the shoulder blades.

How to Ease Shoulder Pain
So, if you do have pain in your shoulder, then what can you do to ease the pain? The best thing is to keep active and gently keep your shoulders moving. It can be hard, but it really helps keep the muscles supple as they heal. There are some simple shoulder exercises that can help, including stretching, leaning on an open door frame or, what is known as, the pendulum. You stand with your good hand on the top of a chair and let your other arm hang down. Then you need to swing it in a small circular motion slowly about 5 times in both directions. Repeat this 2-3 times a day if you can.

How to Prevent Shoulder Pain
There are some things that you shouldn’t do when it comes to shoulder pain. Whilst it’s easy to do, try not to stop using your shoulder completely, this can stop it healing as it needs to remain supple. Obviously don’t do things that will make it worse, like strenuous exercises or carrying heavy bags. Also, if you sit down a lot for work, then try to avoid slouching when you sit. In other words, don’t roll your shoulders or bring your neck forward. Good posture will always help you recover quicker.

See a Chiropractor
Of course, if the pain is too much for you and none of these solutions help, then the best course of action is to go see a specialist chiropractor. Their help and advice can be invaluable to ease your suffering and help you back to full health as quickly as possible. This may include dedicated physiotherapy, but they will advise you of the best treatments (exercises, stretches etc.) available.
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Remember, shoulder pain can take 6 weeks or more to go away. In fact, research suggests that up to 40% of shoulder pain is still present after 1 year, so the time to start your recovery for Christmas is now. The festive season can be a pain with all it brings, but there’s no need to give it the cold shoulder. So, if you’re looking to get expert advice from a chiropractor, Duston Chiropractic Clinic is here. Call us today on 01604 754 456, or visit our contact page for further details.