Shoulder Pain Causes

Causes of Shoulder and Neck Pain

The term shouldering the burden is not a term that has come about by accident or without cause. The shoulder indeed bears up the burden of the upper part of the body, especially the all-important head neck and the head, which is the anterior part of the body.

Given the strategic importance of the shoulder to the overall well being of the body, any instances of shoulder pain could be devastating.

The shoulder joint is a joint that comprises of the clavicle, the scapula and the humerus which are essentially the collar bone, the shoulder blade and the upper arm. The shoulder joint holds these different bones together. Along with the cartilage and the lubricating fluids, the shoulder helps in moving the bones in tandem that allows the arm to flex and extend as well as hold up weights. This is because the shoulder joint is a ball and socket joint, the movement of which helps in rotating the arm. There are tendons and ligaments, along with cartilage which comprise the complex unit which forms the shoulder joint. It is said that the shoulder joint is the most movable joint in the whole body, followed closely by the knee joint.

Shoulder pains are quite a common occurrence nowadays. Some of it is due to lifestyle causes and some may have some more serious cause causing the shoulder pain.

Some of the common causes of shoulder pain are as below:
  • Overuse of the shoulder joint: This is common among gym going persons, especially those who are starting off with lifting weights. In their enthusiasm, sometimes, new gym goers may lift up extra heavy weights too soon. This could cause a muscle pull in the shoulder region and cause pain. Among house holders, this could also happen when weights are lifted at home with scant respect to the condition of the shoulder joint.
  • Dislocation: This is the single most common cause of shoulder pain. Dislocation can occur if the rotator motion of the ball and socket joint is excessive and sudden. In some cases the joint could also come unhinged out of its place if there is a strong outward pull, maybe due to lifting up of heavy weights or due to an accident. In severe cases there could be actual dislocation of the shoulder joint leading to neck pain.
  • Neck pain induced: in some cases, where the shoulder pain starts from the side of the neck and irradiates towards the shoulder and the upper arm. While the cause is not within the shoulder purse, it does impact the general comfort levels of the shoulder joint and in severe cases medical attention may be called for.
  • Tendon inflammation: The tendons of the shoulder joint could get inflamed or swollen.
  • Age related problems: these are very common among persons who are closer to the age of 60. This happens due to the degeneration of the cartilage within the joint causing acute pain in the shoulder region. Sometimes the symptoms are akin to arthritis where the composition of the cartilage becomes more watery than protein, leading to shoulder problems and pain.

Given the importance of the shoulder region to our overall wellbeing, it is imperative to take good care of it, in terms of using it carefully and ensuring that no unnecessary strain is impinged on it.

| Share

 

Shoulder Pain after Surgery: Is it Normal? >>

<< Shoulder Pain Causes and Exercises

 

COMMENT

*Name:
*Email:
*Comment:
*Code: Please enter the sum of 5+2