Left shoulder pain can also affect a person’s mental health. Constant shoulder pain can cause emotional difficulties such as stress, anxiety, and even depression. Persistence of pain may reduce the individual’s overall quality of life, limit social interactions, and reduce participation in daily activities. This pain can also disrupt the person’s sleep pattern. Pain can make it difficult to get a comfortable sleep, which can lead to fatigue, weakness and problems focusing. Insomnia can increase pain-related stress, which can increase the severity of pain.
What causes left shoulder pain?
Left shoulder pain can have many causes. Some common causes of left shoulder pain include:
- Heart attack: A heart attack is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the muscles of the heart lose blood flow. Left shoulder pain may be a symptom of a heart attack.
- Traumas: Shoulder injuries such as a fall, bump, or sports injury can cause left shoulder pain.
- Arthritis: Arthritis is a disease that affects the joints. Shoulder arthritis can cause pain, limited movement, and swelling.
- Peripheral neuropathy: Peripheral neuropathy is a disease that affects the body’s peripheral nerves. If it damages the nerves in the shoulder, it can cause left shoulder pain.
- Shoulder impingement syndrome: Shoulder impingement syndrome occurs as a result of compression of the muscles, tendons and ligaments that make up the shoulder joint. This can cause pain, limited movement, and weakness.
- Rotator cuff tear: The rotator cuff is a group of 4 muscles and tendons that support the shoulder joint. A rotator cuff tear occurs when one of these muscles or tendons is damaged. This can cause pain, limited movement, and weakness.
How to relieve left shoulder pain?
Left shoulder pain is usually a temporary discomfort, but in cases of severe, persistent or recurring shoulder pain, it is important to see a healthcare professional. Here are some methods that may help relieve mild or temporary left shoulder pain:
- When you experience shoulder pain with your doctor’s approval It is important to limit certain movements and activities. Rest can help shoulder muscles and joints heal.
- If your doctor approvesApplying cold or heat to the painful area can reduce inflammation and relax muscles.
- If there is no serious situation and If your doctor gives permission It may be more effective to apply cold for the first 48 hours and then heat.
- To relieve pain in accordance with your doctor’s recommendation You can use painkillers.
- Again in accordance with your doctor’s recommendation Gentle exercises that strengthen and stretch the approved shoulder area can support the muscles and reduce pain.
- To prevent shoulder pain, it is important to maintain correct posture and make ergonomic adjustments when working at a desk.
- Simple measures such as keeping the computer screen at eye level and having the chair support the waist can reduce shoulder pain.
- In accordance with your doctor’s recommendation Professional massage or physical therapy can reduce muscle tension and relieve shoulder pain.
- Adequate, quality sleep can help muscles recover and reduce pain.
