These home remedies for shoulder pain help cure acute shoulder aches. For chronic pain in your shoulders, however, you must consult a doctor.

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Shoulder pain can be very incapacitating. Once the pain starts, it is impossible to concentrate on anything else. Your muscles, ligaments and tendons in and around the shoulder area start hurting. Shoulder pain occurs in people of all age groups. People who work on laptops or, use smartphones for extended periods of time, are more susceptible to shoulder pain.

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Causes of shoulder pain

There are a number of factors that can result in shoulder pain. The most common causes, however, are,

• Injuries to soft tissues in or around the shoulders
• Injuries to muscles in or around the shoulders
• Injuries to tendons in or around the shoulders
• Injuries to ligaments in or around the shoulders
• Over use or repeated use of injured muscles in or around the shoulders
• Injuries in the neck
• Injuries in the bicep area

Apart from these, some other causes of shoulder pain are,

• Arthritis
• Bursitis
• Tendinitis
• Bone spurs
• Torn cartilage
• Broken shoulder bone
• Frozen shoulder
• Injury in the spinal cord

There are a few diseases which result in shoulder pain as well, such as,

• Ailments of the cervical spine
• Diseases affecting the neck
• Diseases affecting the liver
• Diseases of the heart
• Gallbladder disease

Symptoms of shoulder pain

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Apart from the pain itself, other symptoms you are likely to experience are,

• Inflammation
• Swelling
• Difficulty in moving your shoulder
• Soreness in and around the affected joint

Minor shoulder ache can be cured using home remedies, and that is the reason you and I are here today! However, like I already told you, in case of chronic shoulder pain, you have to visit a doctor and get proper diagnosis and treatment.

Home remedies for shoulder pain

Here are the most effective natural remedies that can cure acute shoulder pain in no time.

1. Cold compress

Cold compress works wonders on shoulder pain, alleviating the ache in very little time. When the cold temperature hits your shoulder, it numbs the area. This helps reduce the inflammation and discomfort.

Remedies

• Fill a plastic bag with ice cubes.
• Wrap the bag with a clean towel.
• Place this compress on the shoulder for about 15 minutes.
• This remedy must be repeated thrice a day for a couple of days to get relief.
• You may also soak a towel in ice cold water and apply on your aching shoulder.

A word of caution: The ice bag should not be placed on the skin, directly, as it can cause frostbites.

2. Hot compress

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Hot compress, like cold compress, helps treat an aching shoulder. It also cures inflammation and swelling. Hot compress works best, if you use it only after two days of the occurrence of the injury. Hot compress is also good for healing stressed out muscles.

Remedies

• In a hot water bag, pour some hot water.
• Apply the bag on the aching shoulder area for about 15 minutes.
• You can even lie down and do the hot compress.
• This remedy must be repeated thrice a day for quicker healing.
• You can even indulge in a hot water shower to get relief from shoulder pain.

3. Compression

By compression we mean putting light pressure on the aching shoulder area to get rid of the swelling. Using a compression wrap is a good idea as it provides support to your aching shoulder and lends you more comfort.

Remedies

• Buy an elastic bandage or warm wrap. Tie it around your affected area for a couple of days.
• You can also use pillows and keep your shoulder elevated to quicken healing by compression.

A word of caution: You should not tie the hot wrap too tightly as that can result in poor circulation. That, in turn, will worsen the shoulder pain.

4. Epsom salt bath

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The magnesium sulfate in Epsom salt makes it an amazing remedy for shoulder pain. It improves circulation of blood, which, in turn, relaxes the pain in the shoulders. Epsom salt bath is also great for combating stress.

Remedies

• Draw yourself a bath with lukewarm water.
• Add a large cup of Epsom salt to the water, and stir well.
• Get into the tub with your shoulders submerged.
• Stay in for at least 20 minutes.
• Repeat this treatment thrice a week for best results.

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5. Massage

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Massage is a perfect remedy for shoulder pain. A light massage releases the stress locked in the muscles. It helps enhance blood circulation which helps get rid of stiffness.

You should get the massage done from a professional masseur. Use coconut, sesame, olive or mustard oil for the massage.

Remedies

• Heat the oil of your choice, and apply it on the affected shoulder.
• Squeeze gently and apply gentle pressure on the affected area to enhance blood flow.
• You need to massage for not more than 10 minutes.
• Now put a warm towel on your shoulders to lock the moisture.
• This massage therapy should be done a couple of times a day until your pain lessens.

A word of caution: You should immediately stop massaging the affected shoulder area if it causes pain.

6. Turmeric

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Turmeric works wonders on shoulder pain. Turmeric contains curcumin which is an antioxidant. The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric help get rid of the pain and the swelling.

Remedies

• Prepare a paste using 4 teaspoons of turmeric powder and a tablespoon of coconut oil.
• Apply this paste on the affected area, and rub in gently. This will heal the sore muscles.
• Leave the paste on until it gets dried.
• Now wash with lukewarm water.
• You can also add a teaspoon of freshly ground turmeric to a glass of warm milk, and drink it once, daily.
• On the other hand, you can also take turmeric capsules to promote healing. However, consult your doc to learn more about the dosage.

A word of caution: If you are taking medicines for blood-thinning, you should not consume excessive turmeric.

7. Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar treats acute shoulder pain due to its anti-inflammatory properties. The alkaline qualities of the vinegar help reduce pain and inflammation.

Remedies

• Draw a bath for yourself. Now, add two cups of unfiltered apple cider vinegar to your water.
• Soak yourself in the water for half an hour.
• This treatment should be done once every day until the pain subsides.
• Alternatively, you can add two teaspoons of unfiltered apple cider vinegar to a glass of warm water. Add some honey to this solution, and drink two times, every day, for a week.

8. Ginger

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Ginger is brilliant for shoulder pain, owing to its anti-inflammatory properties. It also improves the flow of blood through the affected area, which, in turn, promotes healing.

Remedies

• Drink about 3 cups of ginger tea daily. To make the tea, simmer 1 tablespoon of thinly sliced ginger in 2 cups of water for 10 minutes. Strain, add honey and drink it.
• You can also take ginger supplements after consulting your doctor.

9. Lavender oil

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Lavender oil relaxes tired muscles. It also helps alleviate shoulder pain.

Remedies

• To your warm bath water, add some drops of lavender essential oil. Soak yourself in the tub, in such a way, that your shoulders are fully immersed.
• This treatment must be repeated once every day to relax aching muscles.
• You can also add olive oil to lavender essential oil, and massage the shoulder area gently.

10. Alfalfa

Another powerful herbal cure for shoulder pain is alfalfa.

Remedies

• Prepare a warm cup of alfalfa tea for yourself, and drink once or twice daily.
• To make it, add half a tablespoon of dried alfalfa leaves to a cup of boiling water.
• Remove it from fire and cover the container.
• Let it sit for 5 minutes.
• Strain the tea and drink it.

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Additional tips for shoulder pain

In addition to these home remedies, you can try the following tips for shoulder pain to get relief from the ache.

• The affected area must get adequate rest to recuperate faster.
• Promote healing by elevating the affected area with a few pillows when sleeping. This is will help reduce the swelling.
• Identify and correct your postural deviations, if any. This will enhance the healing process.
• Whenever your shoulders start aching, keep the elbows to your sides to allow your shoulder a break.
• Try your hands on neck stretching exercises, as they can give you a more long-term healing.
• While sleeping, use a thicker pillow, for support to both your neck and shoulder.
• Acupuncture and acupressure can give you some respite from shoulder pain.
• Drink warm lemon water every morning on an empty stomach to avoid mineral deposits in your joints.
• Apply a gel that contains around 0.0125 per cent of capsaicin. Rub it lightly on the affected shoulder area to diminish the shoulder pain.
• Do not consume tobacco or smoke as those habits can hinder the healing process.

Did you find these home remedies for shoulder pain useful? Let us know in the comment section below. Also, if you have some home remedies up your sleeves, you can share them with us.

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