Amal, a reader from Dubai, asks: I am working in a company in Dubai for a long time. I have severe pain (more than two years) on my right arm, starting from shoulder. I can't raise my arm, hardly move, it gives me so much pain, especially at nights when I sleep. I don't know how to turn and move my arm without pain. I think it is muscle pain, but forever? Went to a doctor, but didn't help. Please help.
Dr Dinesh Kartha, Ministry of Health Approved Naturopathic Medicine Practitioner, Chief Consultant and Managing Partner, Aura Alternative Medicine Center, Sharjah, replies: Dear Amal, Your problem is a common one, but more information is needed to clearly understand your case. You have not mentioned your nature of job, age and other details like any history of injury or trauma to your spine or shoulder, any other systemic illness like diabetes etc.
Do you have any swelling, tenderness or limitation of movements of right shoulder joint? Shoulder joint pain is a common problem as that joint is highly unstable being a ball and socket joint where the ball is much larger than the socket.
Common causes of shoulder joint pain are painful arc syndrome, frozen shoulder, tendinitis, inflammatory arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative arthritis like osteoarthritis etc. It may also arise from muscular sprains . Now-a-days occupational causes contributes much to shoulder pain. If you are using your right arm continuously for weight bearing jobs or keeping your arm in a specific position for long hours it may be the cause.
Since your complaint is persistent for a long time it needs investigations like x-ray or MRI to analyze the extend of damage to the shoulder and clearly understand the actual cause behind the pain. If you are suffering from neck pain or any numbness in arms, involvement of cervical spine should be suspected. You won’t have to suffer this pain forever as once the cause of pain is diagnosed, proper treatment and adoption of correct posture will definitely help to relieve your pain.
If there is no inflammation, then application of moist heat like fomentation, medicated oil massage etc can help the condition. Administration of internal medicines, according to underlying condition along with stretching exercises, physiotherapy measures or yoga can definitely help you.
First of all, make sure that you sit, stand, walk and sleep in proper position. If you are using a thick pillow replace it with a thin one not more than 2-3 inches. If you have to keep your head in the same position for a long time during your office hours, take a few minutes break every hour and do some stretching exercises involving your neck and shoulder joints. Also try to limit use of computer and laptop. You have to avoid any activities that aggravate the pain.
Keep in mind the following points to get rid of the shoulder pain in a scientific manner.
- Moderate exercise to the shoulders: When you are having pain you tend to avoid movements to the shoulder. This can lead to weakness of muscles surrounding the shoulder. On the other hand, heavy exercises to the weakened or injured shoulder can be counterproductive. It is better to do strengthening exercises with light weights or elastic bands and with more repetitions.
- Relax the tender points: Due to excess use of computers, driving or abnormal postures the muscles in the neck and shoulder area can undergo severe spasm. In order to relax these muscles and tender points massage or acupressure can be tried. Never give massage or acupressure if the pain is due to fracture or injury.
- Avoid making the shoulders stiff: Never keep the shoulder stiff fearing the pain. Shoulders experience more motion than any other joint in the body. Try to avoid stiffness by practicing stretching exercises or Yoga.
- Hot fomentations and ice packs: Ice packs will be ideal for pain related to injuries or inflammation resulting out of it. Hot fomentations will reduce pains due to chronic conditions.
- Postural correction: Make sure that you are adopting an ergonomically correct position when you work on computers or when you are driving. Try to keep the body in a straight posture with feet firmly on floor. Also try to change your position regularly.
- Give proper breaks in between work: This is very important to prevent stiffness of neck and shoulder muscles. Give light stretching to neck and shoulders every 30 minutes at least if you have to sit for long time in front of the computer.
- Avoid multi-tasking: It is better to avoid multi-tasking when you are having pain. For example attending phone calls while typing in the keyboard can aggravate stress on your neck and shoulders.
- Avoid painful activities: If any activity is aggravating the pain immediately stop it. Lifting heavy weights also should be avoided.
- Naturopathic remedies: There are many herbs having anti-inflammatory properties. Herbs like cat’s claw, devil’s claw, ginger, garlic etc. are having anti-inflammatory effects. Also chondroitin and glucosamine can be used to improve joint functions. Cayenne pepper creams are effective as topical applications. A Naturopathy Physician can guide you in this regard.
- Acupuncture: Acupuncture has a very strong pain relieving property in cases of shoulder pain arising out of arthritic conditions and frozen shoulder. Acupressure applied to selected points can be used as a home remedy when you are in severe pain.
- Diet: A nutritious diet is very important to ensure smooth joint functioning. Include lot of fruits and green leafy vegetables. Diet should be rich in proteins for building up muscle strength. Also include foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids.
- Yoga: Regular practice of Yoga will provide proper stretching to the joints and also improve your quality of life. You should select the techniques in Yoga after consulting an expert. The breathing practices and meditation are also have a soothing effect on the nervous system.
Disclaimer: This blog is a conversation and is not an alternative for treatment. The recommendations and suggestions offered by our panel of doctors are their own and Gulf News will not take any responsibility for the advice they provide.
