
7 Tips to Get Relief from Rotator Cuff Pain
Have you felt a stabbing pain in your shoulder when you stretch your arm to grab something? Or do you have trouble raising the hand? If so, you may have a rotator cuff injury. The rotator cuff is a group of tendons (the strong chords that attach your muscles to bones) and muscles placed in the upper back and shoulder. It joins the upper part of the arm to the shoulder blade and helps it move. Irritation of the tendons might be because of age-related degeneration, overuse of the shoulder or an injury. The pain makes it difficult to even perform simple routine activities like brushing your hair or putting on a t-shirt. Doctors may prescribe painkillers or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In severe cases, a rotator cuff repair surgery might be needed to treat tears. In mild cases, one can opt for a combination of home remedies and stretches. Here are some of them: Apply ice packs Application of ice packs at the very first twinge can help to lessen inflammation, minimize swelling, and decrease pain. Using an ice pack for about 10 to 30 minutes will bring down the pain. Instead of an ice pack, you can even use a bag of frozen peas or an ice-filled plastic bag. However, don’t let your skin touch the ice directly as it could cause a cold burn. You can also use a damp towel to wrap the ice pack and then apply it to the affected area. Do this every other hour and as the pain reduces, apply ice three times a day until you’re free from pain. Apply heat Heat helps in increasing blood flow to tissues. It soothes the inflammation and speeds healing. It also increases flexibility and relaxes muscle spasms. Therefore, it can enhance your shoulder’s motion and strength.