Jacksonville shoulder pain specialist Shonith Manohar notes that joint pain can be frustrating, limiting your activities throughout the day. However, shoulder pain is not only for older people. The pain is also likely to affect the younger generation, thanks to accidents or sports-related injuries. The good news is that an early diagnosis and treatment can help minimize your risk of developing complications. However, shoulder pain myths prevent most patients from seeking professional help. Thus, it is vital for shoulder pain patients to know the facts from myths. Here are the common myths about shoulder pain.
The pain mostly worsens in the cold season
The myth is prevalent primarily because joint issues, including arthritis, are likely to worsen when it rains. Though some patients might find their joints stiffening with the cold weather, no correlation exists between worsening shoulder pain and humidity or rain.
You need an MRI before you can fix any shoulder pain
Understanding existing pathologies in patients’ bodies is now easy, thanks to modern age technological advancements. Thus, you might find it tempting to rely on the imaging test, especially if the persistent pain lingers for a long time, to know the exact concern with your shoulder. However, an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is not the only way to know what is happening to your shoulder. What you need to know about the pain is whether or not the joint is experiencing tension because of mechanical stress due to movement insufficiency. Therefore, it is crucial to contact a physical therapist specializing in different shoulder concerns before an MRI. However, the test might come in later when conservative treatment options fail to relieve your debilitating symptoms.
Not every shoulder results from a rotator cuff tear
The rotator cuff comprises four muscles responsible for the movement of the upper arm. The entire shoulder joint consists of several joints, with muscles and tendons allowing motion of the arm. Shoulder impingement because of overuse may also cause painful symptoms. The impingement might stiffen the rotator cuff, minimizing its motion range. Therefore, you can only know the root cause of the pain if you contact a specialist for diagnosis.
Additionally, a surgical procedure is not the treatment option to resolve issues with the rotator cuff. Since the main aim of treatment is to minimize the painful symptoms, your therapist may recommend options like basic exercises, massage, and rest. The medical professional enhances the capabilities of the several joint components, eliminating mechanical stress, thus solving the root cause of the pain.
If physical therapy fails once, it will not work again
Trying an approach, again and again, can be daunting. It is common for physical therapy to backfire because the therapist has not yet figured out the most appropriate system to help resolve your symptoms. Additionally, pain and inflammation are likely to reoccur if the mechanical strain still exists in the joint after a successful pain-relieving session. Pain recurrence does not mean that the approach will not be effective the next time you go for therapy.
Most myths have false beliefs that might make you afraid of seeking professional help. Talk to your doctor about the pain you are feeling, to allow the health professional to design the best treatment for your situation.
