If you are wondering what causes burning pain in shoulder, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog, we’ll talk about shoulder pain burning sensation and how to treat it. Keep on reading to find out everything you need to know!
Why is My Shoulder Burning?
Burning pain in the shoulder or shoulder blade can develop from different injuries or conditions. Usually, this pain is temporary and goes away on its own; however, if it persists for a while, you may need medical attention.
Everyone feels pain differently. Sometimes, what you describe as a burning sensation might just be inflammation in the shoulder or nerve issues. In addition, problems with another part of your body can also lead to a burning feeling in your shoulder. Furthermore, conditions called fibromyalgia, arthritis, and angina can be the cause of the problem.
The treatment of shoulder pain depends on its cause. In many cases, applying ice and resting will be enough to provide quick relief. However, for more serious situations, medication, physical therapy, or even surgery will be necessary to manage the pain.
Keep on reading to explore the potential causes of burning in shoulder, available treatment options, and when it’s essential to see the doctor.
Potential Causes of Burning Feeling in Shoulder and Shoulder Blade
Here are some of the most common causes of shoulder pain:
- Nerve Irritation or Damage
- Tendon Inflammation
- Fractures
- Heart-Related Issues
- Fibromyalgia
Nerve Irritation or Damage
If you feel tingling in your shoulder, that can be from nerve issues. For example, a burner or stinger. This is an injury to the brachial plexus—the network of the nerves in your neck— and can often happen in contact sports. The nerves are compressed or stretched, and you feel a sharp pain that travels down your arm. Fortunately, this pain doesn’t last long, and it heals quickly.
Another condition called Parsonage-Turner syndrome (PTS) can cause intense pain in both of your shoulders. It affects the nerves in the brachial plexus. However, in most cases, PTS resolves on its own.
Moving on, we have Suprascapular nerve entrapment syndrome (SNES). This syndrome occurs when the suprascapular nerve gets compressed, causing burning pain, weakness, and discomfort that only gets worse with movement.
Tendon Inflammation
Tendinitis and bursitis are inflammatory conditions in the shoulders and can lead to diverse types of pain.
Bursitis appears when the bursae become inflamed and swollen. This results in a warm feeling in the affected area, sensitivity to pressure, and, of course, pain. Bursitis results from overuse of the shoulder, primarily between the shoulder blade and rotator cuff.
On the other hand, tendinitis, a common condition, includes inflammation of the tendons. This can happen due to overuse, arthritis, or injury. There are two types of tendinitis: bicep and rotator cuff tendinitis. Both can cause irritation and pain in the shoulder, which can travel down the C.
Fractures
What is a fracture? Fractures are cracks or breaks in a bone that can affect any of the shoulder bones. If you experience a shoulder fracture, you might feel a burning pain, swelling, bruising, inability to move your arm, discolored skin around the affected area, and, in severe cases, bleeding (if it is an open fracture).
Heart-Related Issues
Angina is a symptom of coronary heart disease, a common condition that occurs due to reduced blood flow to the heart. Symptoms include:
- Burning
- Tightness in the chest
- and pressure that can affect the shoulders and other parts of the body.
Fibromyalgia
This chronic issue leads to widespread pain throughout the body. It affects the arms, legs, abdomen, chest, head, buttocks, and head. Besides pain, you can also feel sleep disturbances, fatigue, and cognitive or psychiatric symptoms. Furthermore, you can also experience stiffness in the muscles.
Additionally, pain from fibromyalgia may sometimes present as a burning feeling in the shoulders. This condition is more common in women, and it develops with age.
When to Consult a Doctor
Mild shoulder pain often goes by itself with a few days of rest. However, if the pain is caused by a serious injury, feels intense, and doesn’t go away, it’s crucial to schedule an appointment with a doctor.
Did you know that shoulder pain can sometimes signal a heart attack? The situation can be pretty serious, so don’t act heroic. It’s not wise to suffer pain; you better seek help immediately.
Additionally, unstable angina needs immediate medical attention.
How to Treat a Burning Sensation in the Shoulder
The treatment depends on the cause of the pain.
For inflammation and nerve irritation, recovery steps include rest, adjusting/limiting activities, applying ice to the area, and sometimes even using over-the-counter pain relievers. Please note that you should consult a doctor before taking any pain relief drugs. If these methods are insufficient, the doctor may prescribe something stronger, such as steroid injections.
Physical therapy is always welcome and can be beneficial for regaining strength and mobility in your shoulder. However, minimally invasive procedures or even surgery might be necessary in severe cases.
Besides all of this, there are specific shoulder exercises that can help you alleviate the pain. Try shoulder stretches, shoulder circles, arm lifts, doorway stretches, lateral raises, and reverse fly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are dealing with shoulder pain, it’s crucial to find out the cause. This burning sensation you feel can result from various reasons, such as angina, inflammation, arthritis, or fibromyalgia.
The treatment itself depends on the cause and usually includes rest, addressing the underlying problem, medications, and sometimes surgery.
So, don’t just sit at home wondering, “Why does my shoulder burn?” Instead, take proactive steps. Scheduling an appointment with a doctor is the best course of action.