Shoulder pain may affect your daily activities, from reaching for something on a high shelf to simply getting dressed. Finding a path toward relief involves understanding the different approaches available. A combination of lifestyle adjustments and specific therapies offers a range of options for managing shoulder discomfort. Here are lifestyle changes and therapies that may help with shoulder pain relief:
Rest and Reduced Activity
One of the first steps in addressing shoulder pain is to modify your activities. Giving your shoulder a break from strenuous movements allows inflammation to subside. This does not mean you have to stop moving altogether. It simply means avoiding actions that worsen the pain.
You might need to adjust your workout routine, change how you lift objects, or take breaks from repetitive tasks at work. Gentle movements and stretching exercises, as guided by a professional, may be introduced to maintain your shoulder’s range of motion without causing additional strain. The goal of this phase is to reduce stress on the joint.
By resting the affected area, you create an environment that supports recovery before moving on to other treatments. Applying ice packs to the shoulder may help reduce swelling and alleviate pain during this phase. Avoiding activities that involve heavy lifting or overhead motions may also help prevent further irritation.
Prolotherapy
Prolotherapy is an injection-based treatment that targets chronic musculoskeletal pain, including shoulder pain. During the procedure, a natural irritant solution is injected into a specific area, such as a ligament or tendon. The injection causes a localized inflammatory response, which stimulates the body’s natural healing mechanisms to repair the injured tissues.
PRP Therapy
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is another treatment that uses your body’s own healing abilities for shoulder pain relief. The process starts with drawing a small sample of your blood, which is then placed in a centrifuge. The centrifuge spins the blood at high speeds to separate the platelets from other blood components.
Practitioners then inject concentrated platelet-rich plasma directly into the injured shoulder area. Platelets contain growth factors that may play a role in the body’s healing process. By delivering a high concentration of these platelets to the site of injury, PRP therapy aims to support the repair of damaged tendons, ligaments, and muscles.
Stem Cell Treatments
Stem cell treatments represent another approach for managing shoulder injuries. This procedure involves harvesting stem cells from your own body, typically from bone marrow or fat tissue. After being concentrated, these cells are injected into the damaged part of the shoulder. Stem cells are unique because they have the potential to develop into many different types of cells. When introduced to an injured area, they may help repair damaged tissues.
Schedule Therapy for Shoulder Pain Relief
Navigating the options for shoulder pain relief starts with understanding what is available. From simple lifestyle changes, such as rest, to advanced therapies like prolotherapy, PRP, and stem cell treatments, there are various paths to explore. Each approach works differently to address the underlying causes of shoulder discomfort. Working with a specialist can help you develop a personalized plan that fits your needs. If you are ready to address your shoulder pain, schedule a consultation with a naturopathic doctor to discuss your treatment options.
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