How to Wrap a Shoulder

Shoulder injuries are common, especially in athletes. They include damage to the rotator cuff, instability in the shoulder joint and inflammation of the shoulder muscles. Each of these injuries causes pain and tenderness in the shoulder, especially when you try to lift your arm or reach above your head.

When treated early, most shoulder injuries will heal completely. Typical treatment includes exercises to strengthen the muscles in the area and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen or aspirin.

To help manage the pain, the shoulder may need to be wrapped. This helps to stabilize it while it heals. When it comes to wrapping your shoulder, it's important that someone in your family know how to do it correctly. You don't want to have to return to the doctor every time you remove your ace bandage to shower.

If you are self-treating and the pain and swelling aren't gone within a week, make an appointment with your doctor.

Things You'll Need

• Ace bandage, 3 to 4 inches wide.

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Instructions

Wrapping a Shoulder

• 1

  Begin at the shoulder blade of the injured shoulder. Using a three- to four-inch-wide ace bandage and a circular wrapping pattern, loop the shoulder twice, going under the arm. Be careful that the wrap isn't too tight. You don't want to cut off the circulation.

• 2

  From the back, turn the bandage to go around the front of the injured arm at the top of the bicep muscle. Using the same circular pattern, go around the chest and the injured arm three times. The bandage should go under the uninjured arm.

• 3

  Secure the ace bandage in place with a bandage clip. Many ace bandages have these affixed to the end. Otherwise, you can purchase them in the first-aid section of a department store or pharmacy.

• 4

  If the shoulder or upper arm begins to feel numb, the bandage is too tight. Undo the bandage and rewrap it a little more loosely.