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Top Home Remedies for Shoulder Pain Relief Permanently

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Medically Reviewed by Dr. Aman Priya Khanna
Written by Hexahealth Care Team, last updated on 30 September 2023| min read
Top Home Remedies for Shoulder Pain Relief Permanently

Quick Summary

  • Shoulder pain can be caused due to various reasons, such as injury, arthritis, bursitis, and frozen shoulder.
  • There are many home remedies that can help relieve shoulder pain, such as applying ice, heat, massage, and using over-the-counter pain relievers.
  • If shoulder pain is severe or persistent, it is important to see a doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions.

Although shoulder pain seems a minor issue, it can surely hamper day-to-day activities if it becomes serious or persists long. It can occur due to a variety of reasons and affects people worldwide.

Are you looking for solutions to how to cure shoulder pain? You’ve come to the right place. This article will reveal the best home remedies for shoulder pain. But before that, let’s get an insight into the causes of shoulder pain.

Causes of Shoulder Pain

There are symptoms that indicate shoulder pain. These shoulder pain symptoms include swelling, tenderness, pain while moving the shoulder, pain that might drive down the arm, shoulder discomfort while sleeping, etc. Shoulder pain can be caused due to following:
  1. Fall or a sports injury to the shoulder 
  2. Rotator cuff tendonitis or bursitis (injury to the rotator cuff muscles)
  3. Rheumatoid arthritis (inflammation of the joints)
  4. Frozen shoulder
  5. Shoulder impingement
  6. Tendinitis
Proper assessment of the pain and identification of its root cause is the primary solution to reduce shoulder pain. Early treatment for shoulder pain is necessary, but shoulder pain usually takes time to heal. During this time, home remedies for shoulder pain come to the rescue for better pain management and speedy recovery.
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Role of Home Remedies in Shoulder Pain

Home remedies for shoulder pain work by reducing swelling and inflammation, especially if the pain is due to an injury or strain. Certain home remedies, like hot or cold compression, act as quick fixes to alleviate shoulder pain. 

Home remedies like massage and dietary modifications help reduce shoulder pain and calm you down, thus relieving stress. Relieving stress is essential to take care of the pain, as excessive stress can worsen the pain further.

Benefits of Home Remedies for Shoulder Pain

When experiencing a minor shoulder injury, home remedies for shoulder pain are the best approach to treat the pain. They're also preferred by those who suffer from chronic joint conditions, such as arthritis, due to the wide range of benefits these home remedies for shoulder pain have. 
These benefits of home remedies for shoulder pain are as follows:
  1. Easily accessible
  2. Easy to use
  3. Inexpensive 
  4. Safe and reliable
  5. No medical expertise is required
  6. Saves the patient from medicine-related side effects if used in case of minor shoulder injuries or strains.

Best Home Remedies for Shoulder Pain

For a patient with constant shoulder pain who is always wondering how to get rid of shoulder pain or how to get relief from shoulder pain, these different home remedies for shoulder pain can come in handy. 

Before using any of these home remedies for shoulder pain, it is essential to know that they will help only reduce shoulder pain. These home remedies cannot cure shoulder pain associated with conditions like arthritis. Hence, proper treatment is needed alongside these home remedies for shoulder pain. 

Cold Compression or Cold Therapy 

  1. A popular home remedy for shoulder pain is applying an ice pack to the area that pains. Cold compression is a common answer to how to get rid of shoulder pain quickly.
  2. Cold compression to the shoulder for around 15 to 20 minutes and about five times a day using an ice pack or some wrapped-up ice cubes in a soft cloth can alleviate pain by reducing inflammation and swelling. 

Hot Compression or Heat Therapy 

  1. Taking a warm shower or applying a hot compress is another commonly used home remedy for shoulder pain. Hot compression increases the blood flow to the area applied, promoting healing and reducing the inflammatory process.
  2. Hot compression for about 20 minutes can help ease shoulder stiffness and alleviate pain by increasing blood flow.

Running an Epsom Salt Bath

  1. Taking a bath in Epsom salt for about 15-20 minutes helps loosen stiff muscles and joints and alleviates shoulder pain. Hence, taking an Epsom salt bath is one of the most accessible home remedies for shoulder pain. 

Adequate Rest 

  1. Take rest, something almost everyone suggests when there is an injury or pain, but how does one get rid of shoulder pain by resting? Well, adequate night sleep is essential to relieve strain and mild shoulder stiffness that might occur due to excessive physical activity like sports. 
  2. Hence, taking adequate rest can help get relieve shoulder pain.

Posture Correction 

  1. A bad posture cannot only cause pain but also worsen the already existing shoulder pain. A poor posture can also add extra pressure on the neck and the shoulder. Hence, it is extremely important to correct posture while walking, sitting, or standing to reduce or prevent shoulder pain.
  2. Using a good pillow to support the neck and shoulder can also aid in getting relief from shoulder pain.

Adapting Different Activities

  1. Sometimes, the shoulder pain experienced might result from doing certain activities like lifting heavy or sleeping in poor positions. Changing or stopping the activity that might have triggered the shoulder pain can help relieve it.  

Oils 

  1. Certain essential oils can be the solution to questions like how to reduce shoulder pain or how to get rid of shoulder pain.
  2. Essential oils like eucalyptus oil, lavender oil, peppermint oil, ginger oil, and clove oil, mixed with carrier oils like coconut oil, can relieve shoulder pain when used for massages. 
  3. These essential oils can be added to bath water or a hot or cold compress to relieve shoulder pain.

Massages

  1. Massaging gently around the shoulders can help relax them by releasing stress and reducing stiffness. Massage also helps promote blood circulation, which might reduce shoulder pain. Thus, adding massages into one’s routine can help alleviate shoulder pain.

Stretch it Out and Exercise to Knock that Pain Off 

  1. To relieve shoulder pain, stretching can be beneficial. Simple movements like rolling the shoulders back and forth or shoulder raises can help reduce any shoulder stiffness that might be causing pain. However, stretching must be instantly stopped if it causes more pain. Directions on how to perform these basic exercises:
    1. Rolling the shoulders back and forth: To perform this exercise, 
      1. Start by standing straight while maintaining the correct posture. 
      2. Now, gently move your shoulder back and forth. Repeat this exercise a couple of times.
    2. Shoulder raises: To perform this exercise,
      1. Stand straight and gently raise the arms laterally while moving them away from the body. 
      2. The arms should be at shoulder height and parallel to the ground.
      3. Slowly lower the arms to reach the initial position and repeat. 

Diet 

Certain foods have anti-inflammatory properties that can help relieve shoulder pain. Examples of these foods include:
  1. Turmeric: Consuming turmeric by adding tea,  milk, or food can help relieve shoulder pain associated with arthritis. Turmeric is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties, which aid in relieving pain. 
  2. Ginger: This spice contains the phytochemicals gingerols and shogaols, which have anti-inflammatory properties.  Adding ginger to the diet or having a cup of ginger tea can help relieve shoulder pain due to arthritis. 
  3. Lime juice: Another great anti-inflammatory source, lime juice can help ease arthritis-related shoulder pain. Lime is also rich in antioxidants. Consuming lime juice can aid in better healing of the shoulders. 
  4. Green tea: It is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. Green tea can be consumed once or twice a day to help reduce inflammation. It is also good for people having arthritis.
  5. Olive oil: A recent study found out that olive oil contains oleocanthal which has a working mechanism similar to NSAIDs. Hence, consuming olive oil (about two tablespoons) can help with shoulder and joint pain.

Things to Keep in Mind While Using Home Remedies for Shoulder Pain

There are certain things that you should keep in mind while using home remedies for shoulder pain. They are:
  1. These remedies are only for pain management. They cannot cure shoulder pain associated with severe and chronic conditions like arthritis. It is best to contact a healthcare professional for such conditions to get the proper treatment.
  2. Even if it hurts, the shoulder must be moved, as not using it at all can slow down healing. 
  3. Avoid doing excessive exercises without proper guidance.
  4. Avoid doing exercises without proper warm-up and correct form.
  5. While performing exercises, ensure not to overstrain or use heavy equipment without consulting a doctor or seeking proper assistance. 
  6. Before taking any OTC medication, make sure to take advice from a doctor.

Lifestyle Changes for Shoulder Pain

The above-mentioned home remedies might relieve shoulder pain in some cases. However, to ensure better results and lifelong changes, it is essential to make the necessary lifestyle changes to avoid further ramifications of this condition. 
Things to consider:
  1. Maintaining a correct posture is essential to prevent shoulder pain.
  2. Regular exercising can help in relieving and improving shoulder pain, especially in case of pain due to a frozen shoulder. 
  3. While sleeping, proper posture is to be maintained. Investing in good neck pillows and mattresses is vital.
  4. Diet plays a huge role in healing. Hence, one must take a healthy diet with foods containing anti-inflammatory and healing properties.
Things to avoid: 
  1.  Excessive strain on the shoulder must be avoided.
  2. Never stop completely using your shoulders
  3. Avoid taking alcohol and smoking.
  4. Do not consume any over-the-counter medications or painkillers without consulting your doctor.

When Should One See a Doctor?

There are certain signs that are not to be ignored and must be attained by the doctor immediately in case of shoulder pain. These signs include, 
  1. Shoulder pain persists for more than a week.
  2. Shoulder pain worsens with home remedies or exercises.
  3. Extreme pain and difficulty in moving the shoulder. 
  4. Any signs of infection, swelling, redness or fever. 
  5. Shoulder pain is accompanied by sweating, breathing problems and chest tightness, which could indicate a heart attack.

Takeaway

Home remedies for shoulder pain can help you eliminate shoulder pain effectively. However, they cannot cure severe, chronic conditions like arthritis, bursitis, etc., that cause shoulder pain. It is advisable to seek professional help from a doctor if you suffer from chronic diseases or if the shoulder pain persists longer than usual. 

Our team of qualified medical experts at HexaHealth can help you find the proper treatment for your condition and offer a permanent solution to relieve shoulder pain. A combination of medical treatment and home remedies for shoulder pain can help get rid of shoulder pain once and for all.

Frequently Asked Questions

One of the fastest ways to relieve shoulder pain is by taking Over counter (OTC) medications like acetaminophen or aspirin. A combination of OTC medication and home remedies for shoulder pain is the best and fast solution for how to reduce shoulder pain. 
 
A combination of OTC medications, home remedies for shoulder pain and simple exercises can help you get rid of shoulder pain. However, it only applies to minor shoulder pain due to strain or injury. If the shoulder pain is due to any underlying condition like arthritis, then seeking a doctor’s advice and proper treatment is the only way to get rid of shoulder pain. 
 
The answer to this question depends upon the cause of shoulder pain. If the shoulder pain is due to a minor injury, it should go away within a few weeks. If the shoulder pain is due to a frozen shoulder, it will take about 2-3 years to get better. In the case of shoulder pain due to conditions like arthritis, there is no cure, but the right treatments and home remedies for shoulder pain can aid in pain management. 
 
Shoulder pain is considered serious when it worsens and doesn’t get better with OTC medications and home remedies for shoulder pain. Shoulder pain is also life-threatening when it is followed by a feeling of chest tightness or trouble breathing and sweating, which may indicate a heart attack.
If you are unsure about what type of shoulder pain you have, then the best way to know is by getting it diagnosed by a doctor. A proper diagnosis will also help you know how to get relief from shoulder pain or how to cure shoulder pain. 
 
Adequate rest and home remedies for shoulder pain like massage, cold or heat compression, or a warm bath can help relax the shoulder muscles. 
 
Both heat and cold are good for shoulder pain, depending upon what has caused it. If the shoulder pain is due to any injury, then cold therapy is the answer to how to relieve shoulder pain. If the shoulder pain is due to stiffness, a frozen shoulder, or a condition like arthritis, then heat therapy is the answer to reduce shoulder pain. 
 
Depending upon the cause of shoulder inflammation, the time taken to heal may differ. Some of the causes of an inflamed shoulder include,
  1. An injury that takes a couple of weeks to heal. 
  2. Frozen shoulder, which takes about 1.5 to 3 years to heal.
  3. Bursitis, which might take a few weeks or more to heal. 
  4. Arthritis, where the inflammation, must be managed with medications, exercise, and home remedies for shoulder pain.
The wrong sleeping position may also cause shoulder pain. Avoid sleeping on your stomach. Instead, sleep on your back to reduce strain. Invest in a good pillow and mattress; while sleeping on the side, use a good neck pillow to ensure proper alignment of the neck, head, and spine.
 
You can use home remedies for shoulder pain like cold or hot compression, stretching, turmeric or ginger tea, etc. If the pain persists, you may also take an OTC anti-inflammatory medication. Apart from that, ensure that you are sleeping in a comfortable position. 
 
If your shoulder pains a lot and you want to get rid of shoulder pain, then you can take OTC anti-inflammatory medications like acetaminophen or aspirin. You can also ask your doctor to prescribe you muscle relaxants. 
 
Various ayurvedic home remedies can help in easing shoulder pain. Some of these ayurvedic home remedies for shoulder pain include turmeric tea or milk, ginger tea or food flavored with ginger, heat therapy, or meditation.
Yes, turmeric can help with shoulder pain. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants that can help relieve shoulder pain. You can consume turmeric milk or tea or add it to your food to relieve pain
Certain ayurvedic oils like sesame oil, ashwagandha oil, eucalyptus oil, coconut oil, and castor oil can relieve shoulder pain. They have anti-inflammatory properties due to which they can help relieve shoulder pain.
Simple exercises can help relieve shoulder pain due to injury, frozen shoulder, or strain. However, it is necessary to perform the right exercises and take assistance from a healthcare provider.
 

Last Updated on: 30 September 2023

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational and learning purposes only. It doesn't cover every medical condition and might not be relevant to your personal situation. This information isn't medical advice, isn't meant for diagnosing any condition, and shouldn't replace talking to a certified medical or healthcare professional.

Reviewer

Dr. Aman Priya Khanna

Dr. Aman Priya Khanna

MBBS, DNB General Surgery, Fellowship in Minimal Access Surgery, FIAGES

12 Years Experience

Dr Aman Priya Khanna is a well-known General Surgeon, Proctologist and Bariatric Surgeon currently associated with HealthFort Clinic, Health First Multispecialty Clinic in Delhi. He has 12 years of experience in General Surgery and worke...View More

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