If you are an athlete, you know how frustrating it can be to
sit on the sidelines, watching others compete due to an injury. While there is
no single way to eliminate shoulder pain from occurring, there are some tips
that can help prevent it from starting or from getting worse.
Take Time to Rest
If you begin to notice shoulder pain while participating in
certain activities, such as swimming or throwing a baseball, stop the activity
right away and find something else to do, such as ride a stationary bike. This
gives your shoulder the time to rest and heal.
While it is essential to rest, you should not eliminate all
shoulder movements. That’s because you may develop a stiff shoulder if it isn’t
used often enough. You can also do some mild stretches to help keep your arms
moving and pain-free.
Try Changing Your Sleep Position
If you begin to notice pain or discomfort in your right
shoulder, try not to sleep on your right side. Instead, sleep on your back or
left side. If your shoulder still hurts when on your back, flip over to your
left side. You can also prop your arm up using a pillow.
Warm-Up
It is never a good idea to exercise
cold muscles. Before you start practicing your pitch or serve, warm up. For
example, you can start with a brisk walk and build it into a jog. By doing
this, you can increase your body temperature and heart rate. It will also help
to activate the synovial fluid present in your joints. Put simply, a mild
warm-up is going to help prepare your body for the intense exercise session
that will follow.
Build Your Endurance
It’s smart to increase your endurance slowly, over time. If
it has been several weeks or even months since you have hit the court, think
about playing for just short periods of time and then build up to longer
sessions. Don’t try to do too much, too soon, as this is the best way to suffer
an injury.
Increase Shoulder Strength
By strengthening your shoulder muscles, you can achieve a
higher level of stabilization and support. This can help prevent more painful
conditions, such as shoulder dislocation. This occurs when the ball of your
shoulder is no longer in the proper socket.
Seek Help from Your Doctor
Sometimes, the methods mentioned above aren’t enough to
prevent pain completely. If this happens, talking to your doctor may be smart.
There is an array of new methods, such as the Whelton
Myofascial Referral Technique, that can help alleviate pain in many parts
of the body. This may be an effective way to alleviate shoulder pain once and
for all.
Never ignore feelings of pain or discomfort. As time passes,
the situation will only get worse and cause you even more problems. By taking
action, you can feel confident that your condition
will be treated and that it won’t get worse.
