Have you ever had achy shoulders or a pain in your neck? Those who have certainly know about it, as it can be some of the most excruciating pain there is to deal with. Shoulder pain can either be caused by a direct issue with the surrounding muscle and tissues, or it can be referred pain from an injury elsewhere. No matter how the pain came about, you need to address the pain as early as possible so that you can get the relief you so desperately need.

There are several things that cause shoulder pain, and one of the most common is poor posture. Sitting hunched at a desk at work, trying to pick up children and angling your hips in a way that puts pressure on the spine – it all contributes to your pain. Other things like pulling a muscle during exercise, lifting heavy things and even sleeping in the wrong position will all have an effect on your shoulder, too. The best thing that you can do is identify it and work out a way to make yourself feel better again. Luckily for you, we have got five suggestions for what you can do about it.

Professional massage therapist releasing tension in female patients neck

Image Source: Pexels

  1. Working Out. No, working out will not automatically make your existing pain become worse. In fact, working the muscle can help it to feel much better! Strengthening your back and your shoulders will ensure that you work the muscle so that it’s less likely to tense up – which is where a lot of pain can come from.
  2. Eat Well. If you are exercising and eating well, you are more likely to have a lower, healthier weight. When this is the case, you are going to put less pressure on your shoulders with extra weight. There are also some foods you could avoid that cause inflammation in the muscles, so check out a diet that is packed with Omega-3s and you’ll be on your way to comfort.
  3. Remedial Massage. You can either choose to go to a sports therapist and physio who can work your shoulder, or you can book regular remedial massages with places like Lab Spa. Having an expert manipulate the muscles in your shoulders will be the best gift that you give yourself this month. You will never regret the comfort that you will feel with massage and physical therapy, and you will be able to recover faster, too.
  4. Medication. It’s a last resort for many people, but pain relieving pills can work wonders for those who are in desperate need of relief. Muscle relaxants, strong painkillers and even injectable meds to relax the muscle will help. You can only get this through your doctor, though, so don’t try to go too nuts on pain medication. If you prefer the more natural approach, you need to think about heat and ice alternated on the muscle to make it feel comfortable.
  5. Surgery. Depending on the extent of the injury in your shoulder, you may need surgery to correct the muscle or remove scar tissue.