Elbow Shoulder Pain

The elbows and shoulders are the joints most susceptible to injury considering their location and the frequency of use. Elbow or shoulder pain can be the result of a variety of factors. Physical injury is the most common cause. However, on experiencing elbow or shoulder pain, it is vital to consult a medical practitioner as it could lead to something worse if left undiagnosed and untreated. There are some symptoms that warranty medical attention. These are an inability to carry objects or to even move the arm, a slight deformity at the joint, inability to raise the arm, a swelling around the joint among others. An X-Ray is advised to ascertain the exact cause as it might just as well be due to a dislocation in the joint.

The most commonly seen cause for shoulder or elbow pain is indeed dislocation resulting out of an injury, an accident or any harsh physical activity. Conversely, it could also be due to as small a cause as a sprain resulting from an uncomfortable posture when sleeping. Hence the treatment would totally depend upon the diagnosis. In extreme cases, even a surgery might be required. Once a dislocation or fracture is ruled out through medical examination, there are a number of exercises one could do to help heal the pain. Move your elbow or shoulder slowly at first to and fro in one direction. Continue this for five minutes. Now move it at right angles to the previous motion, again to and fro. Gradually start rotating the elbow or shoulder. Repeat this exercise frequently for short periods of time.

Focus on the pain when moving your hand or arm. Study the movements which increase pain. Avoid those and follow the movements that are easy on your joints. Use very limited force and limited repetitions. If any movement causes an unusual increase in pain, immediately stop the action. Stretching the muscles around the affected joint also eases the pain considerably. when doing the shoulder or elbow exercises, always start gradually and steadily build up the activity level. Adequate rest is a prerequisite as overworking your injured joint will only worsen the situation. Hot water compresses will also help alleviate the pain by allowing the muscle tissues around the joint to expand. Alternately, you could also try out ice packs to numb the area. Go for over the counter pain killers only if the pain is unbearably acute. In some rare cases, doctors may advise cortisone injections to treat any resultant inflammation of the joint.