Whether it happened as a result of improper posture, a health problem, or an injury, shoulder pain can affect your upper body mobility and be quite a nuisance to everyday life.

Some of the most common causes of shoulder pain are joint problems, stiffness and swelling, a tear in the muscle, damage to the shoulder from a strenuous activity and arthritis. Given how much we rely on our arms  and shoulder movement throughout each day, getting on top of shoulder pain is a must.

Of course, there are medication options available, including anti-inflammatories, however if you are looking for more natural and drug-free pain relief options, read on!

Ways To Lessen Shoulder Pain Naturally

Aside from medication, here are the top methods for treating shoulder pain:

Lifestyle Options:

Below are three of the most common and effective ways to manage short-term and longer-term should injuries.

1. Exercise & strengthen

One of the things that tends to happen to people when they experience pain of any sort is that they “gon into their shells” and shy away from physical activity. The truth is, in the vast majority of cases, supervised fitness under the guidance of a fitness professional or personal trainer, is one of the best paths to a pain-free existence.

Often-times, the pain is a result of an injury that occurred due to a lack of muscular strength and stability of the shoulder joint. A monitored fitness program that aims to strengthen the shoulder and surrounding muscles can help you achieve a more stable and strengthened shoulder joint which in turn, prevents further injury.

2. Use ice therapy

Particularly for recent injuries, ice therapy or a cold compress can reduce shoulder swelling and inflammation in the shoulder joint, and ease pain. In general, the procedure for the application of ice is placing ice on the injured shoulder for around 10 minutes at 2 hours intervals, for 48 hours.

3. Apply a hot compress

Using heat to relieve pain from older injuries is useful as well. Try holding the hot compress against your shoulder for 10 minutes to stimulate blood flow and free the area up. You can do this a few times each day as necessary and if you cast your mind back to yoru last relaxing warm bath, you’ll realise that heat is a fantastic calmer and is often a do-to option for pain relief.

Natural Remedies:

Many people are interested in natural remedies for shoulder pain and diet-based alternatives to medication. If that’s you, read on for some interesting options!

4. Use aromatherapy with lavender oil

Among herbs, lavender has always been a favorite because of its pleasant scent and relaxing effect. Mix 5-7 drops of lavender essential oil with your bathwater and immerse yourself in this for half an hour. Lavender is a great relaxant and can help calm the mind and sooth the body.

5. Make a turmeric ointment

It’s not just an antioxidant; turmeric is also able to fight inflammation and pain. To make an ointment, mix a tablespoon of coconut oil with 2 tablespoons of turmeric powder. Apply this on the affected area, give it a few minutes to dry and wash it off later on. Worth a shot!

6. Try ginger

Ginger is a commonly prescribed natural remedy for bringing down swelling and pain as well as encouraging blood flow to accelerate healing. Ginger tea is a healthy and popular option!

7. Soak in a bath with Epsom salt

Because of the magnesium sulfate in Epsom salt, it can aid in alleviating stress and minimizing pain. Dissolve two cups of Epsom salt in your bathwater and immerse yourself, especially your shoulder, for around 25 minutes. And let’s ace it, who doesn’t love a reason to jump in a nice relaxing bath!

8. Try lime juice

For arthritis-related pain, lime juice is an excellent home remedy. Squeeze the juice from one lime and mix it in a glass of water with some honey. Take this drink everyday and see if it helps!

9. Make mint balm

The soothing sensation from mint also helps numb the pain. Pound and grind several mint leaves and gradually pour water to create a paste. Smear this onto your sore shoulder muscles – seems a bit odd, but there are plenty of people who swear by this!

10. Have a shoulder massage

Massage therapy is one of the best ways to get rid of body pain and soothe tense muscles. Use essential oils diluted with a carrier oil to help warm the area and increase blood flow. Any excuse for a massage eh?

Finally, Try Tens Therapy