Only I am dumb enough to do something like this...

[kyogres]

The question of the day, or rather, the question of the week, is WHAT DID I DO TO MY SHOULDER?!

I injured it last Saturday. (I think I complained about it on here?) By Monday, it was feeling better. I tweaked it again on Tuesday, but it was okay by the end of the day. I somehow re-injured it again yesterday morning, but a hot shower was able to

Comments

[bleufishie]

Is the the joint that hurts or the muscles in your shoulder?

I don't remember your other post - how did you hurt it?

If you can move it then you probably haven't dislocated anything. Is the area swollen?

If you have the money/insurance I'd go to the doctor and get an xray done, just to make sure you haven't fractured anything. If you tore a ligament or tendon or sprained it you'll just have to wait for it to heal.

You might want to look into a sling or something for your arm. I know that that isn't the part that's injured but it will keep the movement (swinging your arms when you walk, reflexes) down and you'll be in pain a little less. You also would be less likely to re-injure it if you take pain medication.

If the heat helps but you don't want to scald yourself with water use icy-hot on the shoulder to ease the pain. They also have heating pads that you can stick to your shoulder and they stay on (though those can be a little expensive).

[kyogres]

It's definitely the muscles, not the bone. I can move it, but it amplifies the pain, so I'm trying not to. I woke up last Saturday and it was just like that. I'm guessing I slept on it at a weird angle or something. Based on the position, I think I might have pulled the top section of my trapezius. (I can't think of any other muscles that span the same area.)

I ended up taking Motrin, which greatly helped the pain. I guess we'll see, when the Motrin wears off, whether being able to move my arm has actually helped it or hurt it in the long run.

You know, between this and period cramps, I really need to invest in a heating pad. I keep forgetting to buy one until I'm in pain.

[bleufishie]

You can fill a long sock with dry rice and heat it up in the microwave - it works just as well and you can lay it right over the place that hurts. You just have to reheat it every once and a while.

[kyogres]

Oh yeah, that's what you mentioned before. I don't think we have dry rice either, but if we ever get some, I'll keep it in mind.

[subluxate]

Dry beans can also do the trick.

An ice pack will numb the area. Don't move your arm too much while it hurts this badly, but ice may be better if you did just re-injure it. For sprains and strains, ice is recommended for 48 hours to reduce inflammation, then heat to encourage healing. That's why RICE is the thing for sprained ankles (rest, ice, compression, elevation). If need be, you can create a makeshift sling out of a scarf or two, too. I'd highly recommend one if you think you pulled your trapezius--it gets the strain of the weight of your arm off the muscle and lets it rest.

[kyogres]

Thanks for the advice. The makeshift sling sounds like a good idea.