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Shoulder Arm Syndrome - Causes and Treatment
In a shoulder-arm syndrome, also known as cervicobrachialgia or cervicobrachial syndrome, sufferers experience pain that emanates from the cervical spine and radiates into the arm and / or head. The most diverse causes lead to this complex of symptoms.
complaints
Patients who suffer from shoulder-arm syndrome report shoulder pain that can radiate to the arm or head. The mobility of the cervical spine may also be limited. Headache, neck pain and restricted mobility are often accompanying complaints. Additional symptoms include balance disorders, blurred vision and painful muscle hardening in the spine. Maybe there are still sensations and sensory disturbances added.
The shoulder-arm syndrome is a complex complaint that can have a variety of causes and easily takes on a chronic form. (Image: staras / fotolia.com) The pain can be very sudden and violent - in such cases there is talk of an acute cervical syndrome. The cause may be a herniated disc. However, the shoulder-and-arm syndrome has often become chronic before those affected seek help.
causes
Possible causes include poor posture, blockages, a herniated disc, osteoarthritis, tumors, osteoporosis, trauma and muscular tension.
poor posture
Improper posture of the head and neck, for example, when working on the computer, workloads at work or during long car rides, can cause a shoulder-arm syndrome with the mentioned symptoms. If the symptoms have been present for some time, the body tries to reduce them with a gentle posture. This usually causes renewed pain - a vicious cycle begins.
disc prolapse
A disc herniation in the cervical spine can cause the shoulder-arm syndrome. As a rule, a herniated disc is based on wear of the spine. This can cause cracks in the cartilaginous fibrous ring of the disc. This ring comprises the viscous jelly core, the so-called nucleus pulposus. In the event of a herniated disc, the core passes over the ring due to bad postures or constant massive loading - to the side or to the rear. In the worst case this compresses the surrounding nerves or even the spinal cord.
If, however, the cartilaginous fiber ring remains intact, there is no prolapse, but a protrusion (disc protrusion). This may also cause massive pain and result in a shoulder-arm syndrome.
Osteoarthritis in the cervical spine
Osteoarthritis of the cervical spine is caused by degeneration (wear). Possible causes for this are persistent stress, a trauma that has led to instability or a genetic predisposition. Over time, the cartilage surfaces wear out, causing the body to develop bone attachment, which in turn can lead to pinched nerves. Furthermore, the intervertebral discs become narrower. This lacks the natural buffer. Such osteoarthritis usually begins around the age of 40 years.
An arthrosis is often in an inflammation, which can cause massive pain - the neck muscles tense, the discomfort increases and the cornerstone of the shoulder-arm syndrome is laid.
tumors
Tumors of the spine can be good but unfortunately also malignant. Fortunately, primary tumors are very rare there. However, in the context of cancer metastases can form on the spine. If the tumors get on their nerves, they may develop a shoulder-arm syndrome.
osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition in which too much bone is broken down and the bone becomes thinner and more unstable. The risk of a bone fracture increases significantly if the disease remains untreated. Also, back pain and discomfort reminiscent of shoulder-arm syndrome may occur.
Preventive action
Drafts damage the neck. The muscles contract, the movement is restricted and pain that extends from the neck over the shoulder into the arm is often the result. Therefore, the neck should always be protected from drafts, even in summer.
If the cervical spine is the weak point, a gentle, cautious muscle building can help. Also bad postures should be avoided. However, if you can not handle a stereotypical attitude at work, it is a good idea to get up more often, to stretch yourself and do a few exercises for the neck:
Sit upright on a chair and place your right hand on the side of your head. Now try to put some pressure on the hand - but only very lightly and only briefly. Repeat this a few times and then switch to the other side. You can do the same with the hand on the forehead and the back of the head.
Who has pain in the area of the neck muscles and also in the area of the shoulders, can help warmth. To recommend are the good old hot water bottle or a heat plaster, which is applied overnight on the affected areas.
At the doctor's
Anyone who goes to the doctor with neck, shoulder and arm pain is first given a detailed medical history: where are the pains, do they radiate, what are they, describe the nature of the pain, what increase the pain, etc.? Then the doctor will scan the affected areas. A blood count, in which inflammation values or even rheumatoid factors come to light, and imaging techniques such as X-rays and MRI support the diagnosis.
The shoulder-arm syndrome is not a disease, but a complex of symptoms, but may have as the cause of a disease to be treated.
The therapy
Depending on the cause, different treatment methods are possible. Painkillers are usually prescribed as painkillers at the beginning. These not only have a pain-relieving effect, but also decongestant and anti-inflammatory. Muscle relaxants are sometimes needed for massive muscle tension. This will break the vicious circle for a short time: no tension - no restraint and the pain will decrease.
Furthermore, heat treatments, physiotherapy, injections and massage are used. The patients are encouraged to perform special exercises regularly at home.
The complaints of the shoulder-arm syndrome can usually be alleviated successfully with physiotherapy. (Image: Kzenon / fotolia.com) Home remedies - Relaxing baths with essential oils
Especially when your neck muscles hurt and your shoulder hurts, a relaxing bath is just the thing. Essential oils such as cajeput, juniper, rosemary (not high blood pressure!), Lavender and eucalyptus are ideal for this. A maximum of four drops are mixed with some good St. John's wort oil and then, if the bath water is already in the tub, stirred by hand into the water. If you do not have St. John's wort oil on hand, you can also mix the essential oils with a little cream.
cayenne pepper
Cayenne pepper not only warms inwardly, but is now included in finished patches and ointments. The patches are not suitable for everyone. High blood pressure patients and those with sensitive skin should refrain from using it. Also, this heat is basically too massive for some. A slightly gentler version is an ointment containing cayenne pepper. This can be dosed more carefully. Both plaster and ointment are available at the pharmacy.
In the naturopathic practice
Patients with a shoulder-arm syndrome often also go the way in the naturopathic practice. Especially when all other forms of therapy have not brought the desired relief. Acupuncture, foot reflexology, Baunscheidt therapy, cupping and anthroposophic medicine are just a few examples of naturopathic treatments for shoulder-arm syndrome. Phytotherapy, but also homeopathy and Schüssler salts offer further therapeutic possibilities.
The phytotherapy keeps in the above complaints plants such as the devil's claw, the horsetail, dandelion and nettle ready. In the case of Schuessler salts, for example, Salt No. 7 Magnesium Phosphoricum, applied as "hot sieves", can relieve muscle tension and pain. In an existing inflammation helps the number 3 Ferrum phosphoricum. Homeopathic remedies for shoulder-arm syndrome include Rhus toxicodendron, Bryonia, Arnica, Magnesium phosphoricum, Arsenicum album and Formica rufa.
Ear acupuncture is also successfully used in naturopathy against the shoulder-arm syndrome. (Image: hjschneider / fotolia.com) Ear acupuncture specifically targets the affected areas, such as the cervical spine, muscles and shoulder. This, applied together with foot reflexology, relieves the pain, reduces the painful muscle tension and makes it more flexible. From traditional Chinese medicine, the Moxa therapy is also known. With warmed mugwort, open or in the form of a cigar, the muscles are heated and mitigated the inflammation. This, done regularly, can bring relief in the long term. The same applies to the Baunscheidtieren, which acts anti-inflammatory and promotes blood circulation. In addition, regular cupping on muscle tension relieves the symptoms.
Often a shoulder-arm syndrome is associated with a general overacidity of the body. Naturopathy therefore recommends base-rich diets, adequate hydration in the form of still water, bitter herbs and base powder.
Summary
In summary, it should be said that the complaints in a shoulder-arm syndrome should be taken seriously. The longer the pain already exists, the more difficult the treatment. The therapy of the underlying disease comes first. (Sw)
Specialist supervision: Barbara Schindewolf-Lensch (doctor)