How To Treat Shoulder Impingement
Individuals with shoulder impingement are all too familiar with the inflammation, pain, weakness, and reduced range of motion that go along with it. Shoulder impingement can occur from an injury or from repeated use. Individuals who raise their arms frequently are more at risk of developing this condition. It is often referred to as swimmer's shoulder, because it is commonly seen in athletes, such as swimmer. Symptoms can become quite severe, limiting an individual's ability to participate in daily activities. Without proper treatment, shoulder impingement can lead to an actual tear or rupture of the rotator cuff. Thankfully, there are several effective treatments for shoulder impingement. Get to know them now!
Avoid Strenuous Exercise
With shoulder impingement, it hurts to raise the arm up to shoulder level or to reach for anything behind the back. It is best to avoid strenuous exercise and the types of movements that result in the pinching, painful feeling of the rotator cuff rubbing against the bone of the shoulder. Patients should avoid any movements, especially repetitive ones, that cause them to lift their arm to their shoulder or higher, as this could cause increased rubbing and may even cause the rotator cuff to tear. Individuals with shoulder impingement should also avoid lifting any weight with the affected arm until permitted by their physician or physical therapist.
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Use A Cold Compress
Since there can be a lot of inflammation in the joint with a shoulder impingement, using an ice pack can actually help decrease some of this. This will help reduce the rubbing of the rotator cuff against the bone of the shoulder, which could lead to more damage and an increase in inflammation. Patients should use a cold compress for twenty minutes, three times a day unless otherwise directed by a health care professional. A cold compress may take the form of a commercial ice pack, ice cubes wrapped in cloth, or even a bag or frozen vegetables. In any case, patients must ensure there is a towel or cloth of some kind between the cold compress and their skin.
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