Pulled Shoulder Muscle

Pulled shoulder muscle is a medical condition characterized by damaged caused to the shoulder muscle as a result of muscle tissue over-stretching. Along with tearing of the muscle tissue in the shoulder, pulled muscle in shoulder may also damage the small blood vessels thus causing bruising and other such symptoms, depending on the severity of the damage induced.

Causes of Pulled Shoulder Muscle
The causes of pulled muscle in shoulder are quite similar to the causes of any other muscle pull, prominent ones being regular wear and tear or a sudden jerk. When we pull the muscles in the shoulder beyond a limit, the fibrous tissue in the muscle is stretched beyond its capacity, to a point wherein it finally tears. Repetitive stress owing to daily wear and tear, overuse of rotator cuff etc. are the prominent causes of pulled shoulder muscle. At times, the injury may also be caused due to other reasons, such as sudden awkward movements, muscle fatigue etc.

Symptoms of Pulled Shoulder Muscle
Although common, the symptoms of pulled muscle in shoulder can be severe enough to lead to immobility, and cause a lot of inconvenience to the patient. Here are some of the prominent symptoms of pulled shoulder muscle.

Pain: This is the most common symptom of pulled muscle in the shoulder. The amount of pain the person experiences may vary according to the severity of the damage. This may range from slight tenderness to a sharp ache. Although it is possible to move the arm in most of the cases, the pain involved in doing so can be difficult to bear.

Stiffness: When some muscle is pulled, it causes the fibers around it to tighten as a defense mechanism, which makes the affected area stiff and difficult to move. This stiffness can be attributed to the injury caused to the tissues as well as the sudden influx of blood to this area.

Weakness: Any damage caused to the shoulder muscle, especially within the rotator cuff, is bound to cause weakness and hamper the strength of the entire arm. This weakness can be characterized by the inability to lift objects or bear weight. At times, even lifting the arm can be difficult.

The severity of damage determines the degree of the symptoms mentioned above. At times, these symptoms may be as severe as to limit the range of motion for the individual suffering from muscle strain. Other than these symptoms of pulled muscle in shoulder, one may also hear a faint noise of muscle tear as he tries to move the affected hand, or observe dark spots which are signs of clotting of blood from the rupturing of small blood vessels.

Treatment for Pulled Shoulder Muscle
Swelling or internal bleeding caused due to pulled shoulder muscle can be eased by applying an icepack on the affected area. Stretching can also help in relieving one from the immense pain experienced. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as aspirin, can help in reducing the muscle pain to a great extent, thus making it possible for the person to move the hand. The PRICE formula (protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation) is ideal when it comes to dealing with pulled muscle in any part of the body, including pulled shoulder muscle. Depending on the severity of the injury, the doctor will decide whether one has to use braces in order to avoid unnecessary movement, which may further aggravate the shoulder injury. You may be also advised to restrict your activity for a few days or practice some rehabilitation exercises to facilitate quick recovery. More importantly, activities which further strain the muscle have to strictly avoided.

Although it's easy to cure pulled muscle in shoulder, preventing it in the very first place is a much wiser option. It can be prevented by maintaining good fitness levels, stretching regularly to make your body agile, warming up properly before starting some intense physical activity, etc. Pulled shoulder muscle can cause a lot of inconvenience, and thus taking some simple measures to prevent it is always worth the effort.