Health Tip: Soothe Shoulder Pain

(HealthDay News) — The shoulder is more mobile than any other joint, according to the Penn State Hershey Bone and Joint Institute. So when the shoulder hurts, it can severely limit what you’re able to accomplish with the affected arm.

The institute offers these suggestions to help manage shoulder pain:

  • Put ice on a throbbing shoulder for 15 minutes as soon as the pain starts, then remove the ice for 15 minutes. Continue this alternating ice treatment for a few hours.
  • Make sure you protect your skin by wrapping up the ice in a cloth.
  • Keep icing your shoulder for two or a day.
  • After three days of icing, give your shoulder a rest for two more days.
  • If needed, work with a physical therapist to help you resume activity safely.
  • Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help manage pain and reduce inflammation.