Age-Related Shoulder Pain: Causes and Treatment

Did you know that age-related shoulder pain is one of the most common issues that elderly women experience? In fact, studies show that around 50% of all women over the age of 70 will suffer from shoulder pain at some point in their lives.

While there are many different causes of shoulder pain, some are more common than others. In this blog post, we will discuss the three most common causes of age-related shoulder pain and what can be done to treat them.

Age-related shoulder pain- An Overview

It’s no secret that as you age, your body starts losing its strength. The cell growth slows down and this affects your bones and muscles as well. This is why elderly people are more susceptible to injuries and illnesses.

One such illness that is commonly associated with age is shoulder pain. This can result due to various factors such as muscle weakness, joint problems, or bone problems.

Let’s look into the causes of this age-related shoulder pain to be informed and get proper treatment.

What causes shoulder pain in elderly?

There are many reasons why elderly people experience shoulder pain. Some of the most common causes include:

• Muscle weakness: As you age, your muscles tend to weaken and this makes you more susceptible to injuries. The shoulder muscles are especially prone to weakening and can easily get strained or torn.
• Joint problems: Osteoarthritis is a condition in which the joints wear and tear, making your shoulders weak. Rheumatoid arthritis is another type of joint problem that can affect the shoulder.
• Bone problems: Sometimes, age-related shoulder pain may be due to weak bones or tumors in the shoulder area. The shoulder cap can get affected, resulting in excruciating pain.
• In addition to these causes, other factors that can lead to shoulder pain in elderly people include poor posture, incorrect lifting techniques, etc.

Let’s look into some of the illnesses that lead to age-related shoulder pain:

Frozen shoulder:

This is a condition that leads to stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint. It can be caused due to an injury, overuse, or even age. People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing frozen shoulders.

RELATED: How Long Does Frozen Shoulder Last?

Osteoarthritis

As we age, our bones tend to wear out, which can lead to osteoarthritis. This affects the shoulder cap as well, causing shoulder pain. The shoulder pain caused due to osteoarthritis doesn’t go away until the underlying issue is diagnosed.

Rotator cuff tendinitis

This is a condition where the tendons in the shoulder get inflamed, leading to pain. It is seen more often in people over the age of 40.

One of the most common causes of age-related shoulder pain is rotator cuff tendinitis. This condition is caused by the inflammation of the tendons around the shoulder joint. The symptoms of rotator cuff tendinitis include pain when lifting the arm, weakness in the arm, and stiffness in the shoulder. Treatment for this condition includes pain-relieving medicines, physical therapy, and home remedies.

Shoulder pain elderly treatment

There are several treatment options available for age-related shoulder pain. These include physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, and surgery. The type

If you are experiencing age-related shoulder pain, it is important to seek medical help. Your doctor will be able to diagnose the underlying cause of your pain and recommend the appropriate course of treatment.

In some cases, age-related shoulder pain can be treated with simple lifestyle changes or over-the-counter medications. However, if the pain isn’t going away with home remedies then it’s time to seek medical help and get proper treatment. 

Your doctor might describe a few painkillers to take orally and apply to your frozen shoulder. Apart from this traditional treatment, your physiotherapist will advise you to do a set of easy shoulder stretches on a daily basis to help loosen the connective tissue in the shoulder cap. 

Alongside you should follow a few home remedies to ease your movement and get rid of the pain. A few proven home remedies include: 

• Applying a hot and cold pack on your shoulder. Applying hot or cold packs for a good 20 to 25 minutes reduces pain, inflammation, and increases flexibility.
• Try moving your shoulder a bit by following frozen shoulder stretches.
• Sleep on your back or on your side that is not aching. Explore your own comfortable sleeping position to get rid of increased pain at night. 

Laser Therapy For Age-Related Shoulder Pain

Apart from these remedies and treatments, you can go for certain alternative treatments. We will discuss one such treatment here that is scientifically proven and is being practised around the world. This alternative treatment is called low-level laser therapy. 

This therapy is done in modern pain management clinics where experienced doctors use a safe laser beam to loosen the shoulder tap. It takes a few sessions before you find relief from a painful shoulder. 

If you are in Pakistan and want this laser pain therapy to get rid of age-related shoulder pain then head to our pain management clinic – BioFlex Pakistan. 

Bioflex Pakistan has experienced rheumatologists, modern equipment, and helpful staff. Our clinic has a 95% success rate when it comes to an aching shoulder. 

Get laser therapy for frozen shoulder now from Pakistan’s advanced laser therapy clinic. Check out our success stories to make an informed decision.

Book a consultation today. Simply fill in the booking form or call 𝟬𝟴𝟬𝟬 𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗘𝗥, 051-2315014, 051 2315016.