Easing Your Pain
Care for your injury will most likely begin with nonsurgical treatments ranging from simple rest to pain-easing injections. Your doctor will tell you how often you may need these treatments. If the treatments relieve your pain, you will be given an exercise program to restore your shoulder's power. If your pain just won't quit, you and your doctor may decide you need surgery.
Rest
Rest your shoulder by keeping it still. You may be given a sling to support your arm. When sitting or lying down, try to keep a pillow between your arm and your side. Because total inactivity can cause stiff joints, it helps to do some gentle stretching exercises.
Cold and Heat
Putting ice on your shoulder can help reduce inflammation and pain. Use a cold pack, a bag of frozen peas, or a towel filled with ice cubes for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Keep a cloth or towel between the cold source and your skin. Alternating heat with cold can also soothe your pain. Try warm showers, hot packs, or a heating pad that uses moist heat.
Medication
To help relieve your pain and inflammation, your doctor may suggest that you take an oral anti-inflammatory medicine such as aspirin or ibuprofen. Your doctor will tell you how much you need.
Electrical Stimulation
Electrical stimulation of muscles and nerves may decrease severe, constant pain and inflammation. Methods such as interferential nerve stimulation use electrical impulses to block the pain signals coming from your shoulder.
Ultrasound
These gentle sound waves warm the deep tissues in your shoulder. This improves blood flow and soothes sore muscles. To further reduce inflammation, cortisone cream can be worked into the muscles using ultrasound.
Injections
If your pain is severe, your doctor may inject cortisone near the inflamed area. This helps reduce inflammation and pain. Anesthetics may also be used to control your pain.
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