How Heat Therapy Can Help Relieve Shoulder Pain
Heat therapy can be an invaluable asset when dealing with shoulder injuries or chronic arthritis pain. This is especially true if used as part of your rehabilitation program.
Ice therapy should always be your first line of defense when dealing with shoulder injuries, as the first 24-48 hours are crucial for healing the injury. Once that period has elapsed, you can switch over to heat therapy for any remaining discomfort or stiffness.
The length of time your sessions with heat depend on the severity of your condition. Minor muscle stiffness and soreness may be relieved after 15 minutes, while more serious issues typically require longer treatments.
Unlike heating pads that emit far infrared (FIR) rays, standard ice packs are designed to cool the surface of your shoulder. They’re perfect for using before or after a workout as they can help improve performance by speeding up recovery time and relieving pain.
Shoulder ice packs should never be placed directly on an area with a broken bone, as this could further compound the damage. Instead, wrap it in either towel or cloth to protect from ice burns and irritation.
It’s best to avoid wearing clothing that could make your shoulder ice pack hotter, as this could cause further damage. Use a towel to cover the pack and some gloves for protection on both ends: for your hands.
If you can’t locate a cold compression bandage, try wrapping your shoulder in an elastic medical bandage and tightening it securely but not too tightly. This will restrict blood flow and reduce the amount of fluid in your shoulder, helping reduce pain from swelling.
Although there isn’t any scientific proof that massage helps alleviate shoulder pain, it can be a great way to relax your muscles and release tension in the muscles. Furthermore, massage increases blood flow which means more oxygen and nutrients reach your injured shoulder.
In addition to relieving muscle knots and sore spots, a shoulder massage can also stretch the soft tissues of the joint, increasing range of motion for stiff or injured shoulders.
Your shoulder joint is one of the largest joints in your body. It consists of three bones: the humerus, clavicle and scapula. When you feel any type of strain at this location, remember that there’s help available!
This joint is intricate and important, requiring a lot of work to move properly. That makes it particularly vulnerable to injury. Overuse can make the shoulder stiff and sore, or arthritis could develop – cartilage breaking down in both upper and lower portions – which would then lead to inflammation.
Though you can treat your shoulder with ice and heat therapy, it’s always best to consult a doctor first for an accurate diagnosis of the cause of your pain and the most suitable course of action. Doing so will maximize the benefits of both treatments while decreasing the likelihood of complications or re-injury.
