Relieve Shoulder Pain with Heat Therapy

Shoulder pain is an extremely common complaint and can affect all ages, and there are many common causes of this problem.  An injury to the shoulder is common in younger people today, especially with the many different types of athletics and other activities that many participate in. However, as people age, the tissues and joints tear and degenerate in the shoulder, as well. One of the most effective treatments for shoulder pain is heat therapy using wheat bags and heat pads, also known as thermotherapy.

Causes of Shoulder Pain

The list of possible causes of shoulder pain is quite long. Rotator cuff tendinitis is the most common. In young people, repetitive motion of throwing a curve ball or hitting a tennis ball is often the trigger for shoulder pain. Over the age of 50, though, the cause is a gradual fraying and thinning of the supraspinatus tendon.  Either cause will produce pain that starts with a dull ache at tip of the shoulder. Reaching or lifting will aggravate this condition and eventually, the pain may become severe enough that overhead activity is no longer possible.

Rotator cuff tears are also common, but more so in people over the age of 60. The tears are usually where the tendon attaches to the bone. Some tears are minor and treated conservatively, while others are so severe that surgery is required.  Bursitis is a painful condition of the fluid-filled sac that cushions the shoulder joint. When this sac becomes inflamed, the pain can be excruciating. In the most severe of cases, a shot of steroids may be necessary to reduce the inflammation.

Adhesive capsulitis or frozen shoulder is a very painful condition. A frozen shoulder can develop from any underlying condition of the shoulder. People who suffer from this type of condition often favour the affected shoulder, but that can actually make this condition worse. A structured treatment program of rest, physical therapy, and heat therapy offers the best chance of a full recovery.

Arthritis can also strike the shoulder joints. Osteoarthritis, which is a degenerative joint disease, is usually responsible. Arthritis can lead to pain, stiffness, decreased flexibility, and inflammation in the shoulder. Heat therapy is one of the best treatments for all types of arthritis pain.

The Benefits of Heat Therapy

There are many benefits of heat therapy when used to treat shoulder pain using a wheat bag or heat pad. First, it helps to improve the circulation of blood to the shoulder joint, tendons, ligaments, and muscles. This also helps to provide the muscles and other important components of this joint to heal faster, as the blood is full of oxygen and nutrients. Heat therapy also helps to relax these muscles and reduce stiffness. As the stiffness and pain subsides, flexibility is increased. Heat therapy can be difficult to use effectively on shoulder pain, so you will need to use a product that allows for the most contact on the affected area. A microwavable wheat bag gives shoulder pain sufferers the most flexibility amongst heat therapy treatments.

For those that suffer from shoulder pain, either from a recent injury or a chronic cause, heat therapy can reduce the pain, discomfort, inflammation, and stiffness. For best results, use heat therapy for 15-30 minutes before and after activity that affects the shoulder.

Zhu-Zhu have a range of wheat bags specifically designed to treat neck and shoulder pain.