Picture this: You’re enjoying a beautiful day at the beach. You’ve just gone for a dip in the ocean, and now you’re lying down and relaxing on your cozy beach blanket. Suddenly, you feel a sharp pain in your shoulders. As the pain worsens, you find yourself unable to run, swim or do much of anything. Not only are you uncomfortable, but your perfectly planned beach day is a bust.
Unfortunately, this scenario happens more than you might expect. Studies show that up to 70% of people experience shoulder pain at some point in their lives. Even if your pain seems manageable, it can quickly worsen during a beach excursion. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at shoulder pain, its connection to the beach and how our shoulder doctor in Tampa can help you.
Common Causes of Shoulder Pain
Is your shoulder giving you trouble? There are many possible causes of shoulder pain, including the following:
- Injuries or dislocations
- Inflammatory conditions (i.e., tendinitis, bursitis)
- Degenerative conditions (i.e., osteoarthritis)
- Pinched nerve
- Poor posture
Whether your shoulder pain is the result of an injury, inflammation or some other issue, it’s important not to ignore it. Without proper treatment, shoulder pain can quickly worsen and affect your day-to-day life, including your beach trips.
How to Enjoy the Beach With Shoulder Pain
One of the best things about warm weather is beach days. There’s nothing quite like reconnecting with nature on a stunning sandy beach, surrounded by calming ocean waves. For those with shoulder pain, however, a beach day is anything but fun. If your shoulder is aching, it can be difficult to enjoy your surroundings. Not to mention, many beach activities make shoulder pain worse. These include swimming, shoveling, playing volleyball and carrying beach gear.
While shoulder pain can definitely put a wrench in your plans, there are ways to minimize discomfort. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your beach day:
- Avoid heavy lifting: Heavy items put pressure on your shoulders. Opt for lightweight beach gear, or ask someone else to carry your gear for you.
- Stay hydrated: Dehydration increases the risk of muscle cramps and stiffness.
- Maintain proper swimming form: When swimming, try to maintain proper form and technique. Certain strokes, such as the breaststroke and sidestroke, reduce pressure on the shoulders. It’s also a good idea to stretch first.
- Avoid strenuous activities: If your shoulder pain is flaring up, it might be better to avoid any strenuous activities (such as swimming, volleyball or kayaking).
- Take plenty of breaks: To minimize shoulder stress, take plenty of breaks throughout the day. There’s nothing wrong with spending some time curled up on your beach blanket.
These tips are a great way to temporarily reduce discomfort and help you enjoy your time at the beach. However, they’re not long-term pain relief solutions. If you want to truly overcome shoulder pain, consider seeking professional treatment.
Long-Term Shoulder Pain Treatments in Tampa
“Where can I find a shoulder doctor near me?” If this describes your latest search results, it’s time to stop searching and start visiting a professional pain clinic. That’s where Aspire Pain Relief comes in. At our Tampa pain management clinic, we go beyond temporary relief. Our goal is to find long-lasting, effective treatments that work for your unique condition. Here are a few things that make our shoulder pain treatments stand out:
- Targeted treatments: We don’t just mask symptoms with medication; rather, we pinpoint the underlying cause. This allows us to treat the whole patient and ensures our solutions are effective.
- Personalized plans: Everyone has their own unique symptoms and needs. To ensure these needs are met, we tailor treatments to each individual.
- Minimally invasive: We offer minimally invasive solutions, which means you can get the support you need without going through surgeries.
We’ll start by carefully considering your symptoms and identifying the root cause of your shoulder pain. Then, our board-certified physicians will craft a shoulder pain treatment plan that works for you.
Ready for relief? Schedule a consultation today!