Posture Corrector UNISEX USA Adjustable Upper Back Shoulder Brace

If a shoulder brace for pain isn’t the best solution, there are other treatments for pain that can help.

Prevention

Of all treatment options the best choice is very simple: prevention.

Even in its complexity, the shoulder girdle is designed to move freely and support the work (and play) of our lives. While degeneration of the joint as we age is inevitable, there are ways to help support the shoulder before a rotator cuff injury occurs. Daily strengthening and flexibility exercises for the muscles of the back can help support the work of the ligaments and tendons. Varying your physical routine to include activities that do not stress the shoulder is another way to prevent injury.

Finally, taking breaks during repetitive activities and icing your shoulder after long periods of work overhead can help keep inflammation at bay.

Rest

This is so is important, as more activity in the joint can cause further injury. Rest is usually indicated for a short period of time, as too much time off can result in thickening of tissue in the shoulder, leading to frozen shoulder.

Physical therapy

After the initial period of rest, a physical therapist can help to restore safe movement in the shoulder through guided stretching and strengthening. This can also help increase range of motion.

Medication

Some over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen can help with swelling and pain. Your doctor may offer you a prescription for the initial stage of injury, but often minor tendinitis and tears can be treated safely with low doses of NSAIDS.

Shoulder injections

For pain that is not resolved with NSAIDS, your doctor may recommend steroid injections to reduce pain and swelling. These injections can result in weaker tendons in the shoulder and should not be used frequently. However, they can be a useful alternative to be done alongside physical therapy. In this way, you can reduce your pain at its source while reducing your pain during the strengthening exercises themselves.

Surgery

Surgery is a much more invasive option and would only be considered when all other options were exercised, or if the location and severity of the injury indicated that surgery was the best choice. Surgeries for shoulder pain can include:

• Arthroscopic tendon repair
• Open tendon repair
• Bone spur removal
• Tendon transfer
• Shoulder replacement

Further, even if you’re suffering from a rotator cuff tear or similar injury, it may not mean surgery. There are a number of factors to consider:

“Rotator cuff tears may involve either operative or non-operative treatment. Surgery is often the last resort to repair the torn tendons, and the exact type of operation may depend on several factors, including the degree of tendon disruption, location of the tendon tear, and physical activity of the patient.”