Will Shoulder Pain Go Away on Its Own?
Every once in a while you wake up with a weird twitch in your shoulder. You grab your cup of coffee and before you even finish it, you have forgotten all about that pain. That’s not what we’re talking about. We mean shoulder pain that is more serious and doesn’t go away in 15 minutes. We mean shoulder pain that you should not ignore and how to know the difference. Let’s look more deeply into the question: will shoulder pain go away on its own?
What Are Potential Causes of Shoulder Pain?
Shoulder pain typically does not go away on its own. It can be caused by various issues, such as sprains, strains, dislocations, and fractures. Overuse or repetitive motions can also lead to shoulder pain, resulting in conditions like rotator cuff tendonitis or bursitis. Additionally, other conditions such as arthritis, frozen shoulder, and shoulder impingement syndrome may contribute to shoulder discomfort.
Serious Shoulder Pain Affects Quality of Life
Serious shoulder pain can cause easy tasks like reaching for something very painful. Getting dressed, working, doing tasks at home, or even enjoying leisure activities may become impossible.
In some cases, shoulder pain can be improved using ice, with rest, and over-the-counter pain medications.
When Should You See a Shoulder Specialist?
If you have any combination of the above symptoms, immediately see shoulder specialist Samuel Koo, MD, MPH to find out the underlying cause of your shoulder pain.
- If the pain continues or gets worse, if there is sudden swelling, and you experience limited shoulder mobility
- If you hear a popping sound in your joint
- When the pain becomes persistent and gets progressively worse as you use it
- When your shoulder pain affects your sleep and/or wakes you up
- When you have stiffness and can’t lift your arm over your head
- If you have numbness, tingling, or a burning sensation
The sooner you are able to get a diagnosis of the underlying cause, the sooner you are able to find relief through a personalized treatment plan.
Talk With a Shoulder Specialist in Kirkland
Contact shoulder specialist Samuel Koo, MD, MPH to schedule an evaluation if you are having shoulder pain and want answers about your symptoms.
Sources: Shoulder Pain – Symptoms and Causes | Penn Medicine
Can shoulder pain heal on its own? | Dr Geier (drdavidgeier.com)
Identifying the Red Flags for Shoulder Pain (coloradosportsdoctor.com)