How to Treat Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

Shoulder impingement syndrome is essentially an arthritic condition that commonly affects older individuals. This is due to the way in which this particular area of our body is structured. Since the muscles of the shoulder lie under the bone, any swelling or inflammation that may occur, due to injury or another condition, can create pressure and then compression within these muscles. Once compression takes place, it can lead to a restriction in blood flow, prompting a fray within the tissue of the muscle. As the fray happens, pain will set in, which is exacerbate by almost any movement within the shoulder. This is basically what takes place within your body when suffering from shoulder impingement syndrome. Most of the treatments for this condition are fairly basic and easy to adhere to on a daily basis.

Things You'll Need

• Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory
• Prescription anti-inflammatory (optional)

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Instructions

• 1

  Start taking an over-the-counter (OTC) anti-inflammatory, like aspirin or ibuprofen. The first step to treating shoulder impingement syndrome is to start taking aspirin or ibuprofen to reduce the swelling and inflammation associated with the condition, according to the Orthopaedic & Rheumatologic Institute at the Cleveland Clinic. This is usually done for around 8 weeks.

• 2

  Get a prescription medication, especially when the over-the-counter medication isn't relieving the inflammation or pain. If you're not getting results from an over-the-counter medication, you should talk to your doctor about switching to a prescription medication to better treat the inflammation and pain.

• 3

  Stretch the shoulder each morning. According to the Cleveland Clinic, you should try stretching the affected shoulder each morning (while in the shower) to limber up for this area of the body for the day. This can help lessen irritation of the muscle that could lead to swelling, inflammation and pain.

• 4

  Limit repetitive motions. When suffering from shoulder impingement syndrome, you should try to limit repetitive motions that can irritate and worsen your condition.

• 5

  Talk to your doctor about cortisone injections, particularly when other forms of treatment haven't shown a benefit to your condition. Sometimes, shoulder impingement syndrome reacts quite positively to cortisone injections by reducing the inflammation and lessening pain.

• 6

  Take part in a rotator cuff surgery. While most people will see positive results from the treatments mentioned above, some individuals may need to go through a rotator cuff surgery to repair the damage cause by the condition.