Shoulder pain involves any pain in or around the shoulder joint. The shoulder is a ball and socket joint with a large range of movement. Such a mobile joint tends to be more susceptible to injury. Shoulder pain can stem from one or more of the following causes:
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Strains from overexertion
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Tendonitis from overuse
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Shoulder joint instability
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Dislocation
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Collar or upper arm bone fractures
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Frozen shoulder
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Pinched nerves
The most commonly used treatments are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) for pain relief. These drugs provide short-term pain relief but also decrease blood circulation to the muscles and joints. NSAIDs have potential side effects such as liver damage and gastric irritation.
Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to treat effectively a wide variety of painful conditions. If you suffer from shoulder pain, acupuncture can offer pain relief naturally and with no adverse side effects. If you would like to pursue this form of Chinese medicine treatment or information, please contact us.
