Shoulder pain is pain in the neck and shoulder area of the body. This pain is usually a symptom of a disease. Some of these diseases can be life threatening, such as trauma to the head or heart attack. But there are some that are very ordinary such as bruises or strains. Finding the cause of your shoulder pain will help with finding the best treatment plan to deal with the pain.

The most common cause of shoulder pain is the injury of the muscles of the shoulders. This can happen in a variety of ways such as a car accident. Degenerative arthritis of the spine in the neck and shoulder area can pinch the nerves, causing shoulder pain. A heart attack can also give pain in the shoulders, due to referred pain from the heart. There are other reasons as well, and if you suffer from shoulder pain you should see your doctor to determine the exact cause of your shoulder pain.

Sharp pain in the shoulder and neck area is the most common symptom of shoulder pain. There can also be weakness, swelling, numbness or coolness in your extremities. Like the cause, the symptoms of shoulder pain can vary greatly due to the underlying reason for the pain.

Most shoulder pain is a temporary condition. Acetaminophen or aspirin can be taken to relief the pain. Resting for a few days and icing the painful area can also be good treatment methods for shoulder pain. The treatment plan should come from your doctor due to the differing reasons that shoulder pain may happen.

Shoulder pain can be indicative of a normal bruise or strain but could be a symptom of something more life threatening such as a heart attack. If you have shoulder pain, you may want consult with your doctor. Or there are treatment plans such as pain medicine and ice that you can employ to get some relief. Shoulder pain is usually a temporary issue that happens to many people throughout their lives.