We put a lot of wear and tear on our bodies throughout the course of our lives, and all this stress eventually takes a toll on our body. Maybe your joints are a little stiffer when you first get out of bed in the morning, or you find it more challenging to get through a workout routine now that you’re a little older. This is normal, but can we say the same about pain?
Many people think that pain, and in our case, shoulder pain, is just a normal part of getting older. But is this really true? In today’s blog, we explain whether or not shoulder pain should be expected as you get into your sixties and seventies, and what you can do to combat age-related shoulder pain.
Is Shoulder Pain A Normal Part Of Aging?
When we talk about age-related shoulder conditions, it can be difficult to understand what is expected and what isn’t. It’s normal for older adults to notice that their shoulders aren’t as flexible, as strong or as stable as they were when they were in their twenties, but we want to make an important distinction here. Shoulder pain, even in older adults, is never “normal.” You should never assume that new or chronic shoulder pain is just a normal part of getting older.
With that said, we completely understand that older adults are at a higher risk for certain age-related shoulder conditions. Shoulder instability, rotator cuff tears and frozen shoulder are all conditions that tend to affect older adults, and this is predominantly due to the fact that these individuals have put decades of stress on their shoulders. All this microtrauma eventually adds up, and this can lead to muscle weakening or soft tissue damage that compromises the integrity of different areas of your shoulder. There are plenty of reasons why an older adult may be more likely to experience shoulder discomfort than a younger adult, but again, it’s important to remember that shoulder pain is never normal.
Don’t just write new or chronic shoulder pain off as an unwanted side effect of getting older. The longer you put off treatment, the more likely it is that the condition will progress, and that can lead to worsening symptoms and make it harder to effectively treat the condition once you do eventually begin treatment. Talk to your doctor about your shoulder discomfort at your annual physical or set up a consultation with a shoulder specialist if you’re dealing with more than just a dull ache in the shoulder. Shoulder pain is not normal and suffering with it is not an enjoyable way to go through life, so talk to your doctor sooner rather than later.
Treating Age-Related Shoulder Pain
Taking care of your shoulders and working to overcome age-related shoulder discomfort is a lot like how many adults approach their diet as they get older. You may have been able to eat whatever you wanted and not gain weight in your twenties, but now it takes a little more foresight and planning if you want to maintain an ideal body weight. The same goes for your shoulder. You may have been able to play tennis or throw a football around without warming up your shoulders ahead of time, but now you’ll want to take some time to stretch and prepare your body for the activity to come.
Managing age-related shoulder discomfort follows a similar line of thinking. You’ll want to be more proactive in your efforts to provide an ideal environment for your shoulders to thrive. That involves:
- Controlled exercise
- Stretching before and after activity
- Consuming a range of nutrients as part of a healthy diet
- Working to maintain an ideal weight
- Getting at least 7 hours of continuous sleep a night
- Gradually working your way up to more demanding physical tasks
- Giving your shoulders time to recover after strenuous physical activity
- Using anti-inflammatories and hot/cold therapy as needed to aid the recovery process
If your shoulder discomfort is more than just a dull ache, your best bet is to connect with a doctor or a shoulder specialist in your area. They’ll conduct a physical exam and help you understand exactly what you’re dealing with before setting you up with an individualized treatment plan. Odds are they’ll recommend a combination of the tips we mentioned above, but they may also discuss more hands-on treatments, like manual therapy, corticosteroid injections or a minimally invasive procedure if you’re not responding to conservative efforts.
At the end of the day, know that shoulder pain is not a normal part of aging, and you have options to restore strength and function in one or both of your shoulders. To talk about your options with an expert who has helped countless patients overcome their shoulder ailments, reach out to Dr. Holloway and his team today at (865) 410-7887.
