Home » Pain Pathologies » Lazy Guide to Shoulder and Neck Pain – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Shoulder and neck pain is one of the common conditions, according to the survey conducted by The Chinese University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Baptist University, where 80% of Hong Kong residents aged 20 or above have experienced shoulder and neck pain.
Most of the time, it is just ordinary muscle tension and pain that will heal on its own after a few days. However, sometimes the pain can persist and even affect daily life. If shoulder and neck pain frequently occurs, there is a possibility of developing cervical spondylosis, and in severe cases, it can lead to loss of work capacity. Therefore, we should not take it lightly.
The following content will break down the causes and treatments for shoulder and neck pain, provide you with 5-minute relief exercises, and guide you on how to choose the right pillow.
Acute shoulder and neck pain: Onset within 2 weeks, primarily caused by accidental trauma resulting in cervical pain or muscle strain causing shoulder pain.
Chronic shoulder and neck pain: Pain lasting for more than 2 weeks, and in some cases, extending for over 10 years. It is mainly caused by cervical degeneration, prolonged poor posture, cervical spondylosis, shoulder impingement, and other factors.
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Choosing an appropriate pillow can help alleviate or prevent shoulder and neck pain as well as headaches. Here are some tips for patients with shoulder and neck pain when selecting a pillow:
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Typically, general shoulder and neck muscle strains or pain show improvement within a week. However, if shoulder and neck pain persist for more than two weeks without recovering, it may potentially lead to other issues such as numbness in the hands, which can affect daily life. If shoulder and neck pain cannot be self-alleviated, it is advisable to seek early advice from healthcare professionals.
If there is a noticeable cervical misalignment, chiropractic adjustments can provide relief for shoulder and neck pain, but they may not provide a permanent cure.
Most shoulder and neck pain is accompanied by muscle tension, and it requires methods such as acupuncture and manual therapy to alleviate muscle swelling in order to effectively address shoulder and neck pain.
Traditional Chinese Medicine primarily uses methods such as Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, and tuina (therapeutic massage) to treat shoulder and neck pain.
Physical therapy primarily utilizes manual therapy, electrotherapy devices, and corrective exercises to treat shoulder and neck pain. For general shoulder and neck pain, both approaches can be effective, and you can choose according to your preference.
However, when dealing with shoulder and neck pain related to internal medical issues, such as liver or digestive problems, combining both traditional Chinese medicine and physical therapy methods may be necessary to effectively cure the shoulder and neck pain.
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