Yawning-related shoulder pain is usually caused by muscle tension, pain from other areas, or rotator cuff injuries, making it important to get the right diagnosis.
I will go over here its diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and reasons for occurrence.
Shoulder Pain When Yawning
Well, it turns out tension in the neck and shoulder muscles can be related to how we move our jaw when we yawn. It’s a big stretch that involves the jaw muscles, and if there’s tension in your shoulders, it can increase the strain.
Now think about how often you yawn. Each time that tension increases, that can lead to more pain. It’s all about how these muscle systems work together, and understanding that can help you find ways to fix the pain and prevent it from coming back.
Interestingly, medical studies distinguish between two types of yawning pain. There’s primary yawning pain, which is pain with no underlying condition, and secondary yawning pain, which is pain caused by various conditions.
Causes of Shoulder Pain During Yawning
Shoulder pain when yawning can be caused by several factors, including rotator cuff injuries, referred pain, and muscle tension.
If left untreated, that yawning pain can sometimes become chronic pain, which is no fun at all. It can interfere with your daily activities and leave you feeling very uncomfortable, and you can’t even pinpoint where the pain is.
1. Muscle Tension
Muscle tension is the most common cause of shoulder pain when yawning. Tight jaw muscles can cause jaw pain that radiates to the shoulders.
Every yawn stretches and contracts those jaw muscles and can throw off the balance between the neck and shoulder muscles and cause that referred pain.
Clenching or grinding your teeth can increase that muscle tension even more and add to the stress on your shoulders. So managing stress and finding ways to relax is key to getting rid of that discomfort.
2. Referred Pain
Shoulder pain can also be caused by problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which is a classic case of referred pain.
Since the TMJ is connected to the muscles around the neck and shoulders, any dysfunction there can affect how those muscles function and cause shoulder or facial pain when you yawn.
Changes in how your upper and lower teeth fit together can signal TMD and cause that annoying referred pain in the shoulder.
To fix this pain, various approaches can be taken, like medications, heat therapy to relax the muscles, ice for inflammation, and targeted physical therapy for TMJ-related issues.
3. Arthritis
Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis affecting the shoulder joint can lead to inflammation and pain exacerbated by yawning.
4. Rotator Cuff Injury
If you have a rotator cuff injury, yawning can make that shoulder pain even worse. This group of muscles and tendons stabilizes the shoulder joint, so any damage there can cause pain and limited mobility.
When you yawn, the upper body stretches and moves, which can irritate those injuries and increase the discomfort.
Symptoms
Shoulder pain when yawning is often accompanied by other symptoms like neck and jaw discomfort and headaches.
You might also feel soreness and tension in the trapezius muscles that run from the neck to the shoulders.
Here are the symptoms to look out for:
- Neck and jaw discomfort
- Headaches
- Upper back pain
- Trapezius muscle tension
- Chest pain: This is an emergency.
If you see these signs early, you can take a more targeted approach to that pain.
How to Diagnose It
When you have shoulder pain from yawning, a full evaluation is necessary. Doctors will start by taking a full history and physical exam to determine what’s causing that secondary pain from yawning.
Physical Exam
A healthcare provider will perform a full physical exam to assess the painful areas and check the mobility of the shoulder and neck.
They’ll find tender spots as you move and observe any restrictions or discomfort. This is key to an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
By doing this exam, you can determine the underlying cause of your shoulder pain, muscle strain, referred pain from another area, or something more serious like rotator cuff damage.
Imaging Tests
Imaging is important for uncovering the underlying causes of shoulder pain, especially when it happens during yawning.
X-rays can show bone irregularities that are causing the discomfort. For a closer look at the soft tissues around the shoulder, like muscles and tendons, an MRI may be used, while CT scans will show detailed cross-sectional views of the area.
With these imaging tests, doctors can diagnose conditions like rotator cuff injuries or other anatomical problems that cause shoulder pain.
Treatments for Shoulder Pain When Yawning
Fortunately, there are many ways to treat it, from self-care and relaxation techniques to medical treatments that can help alleviate your pain and improve shoulder function.
Over-the-counter pain relief
Many people use over-the-counter meds to get rid of shoulder pain. Ibuprofen and paracetamol can help with pain and inflammation, giving temporary relief.
They are available over the counter and are a good starting point when you have shoulder pain when yawning.
But remember to follow the recommended dosage and consult a doctor if your shoulder pain persists or worsens.
Heat and Ice Therapy
Let’s talk about heat and ice therapy. Heat can be good for shoulder pain as it relaxes the muscle and increases blood flow to the area. Increased blood flow helps loosen the tight shoulder muscles and reduces the pain.
Cold is a numbing agent that reduces swelling in your shoulder. Alternating between heat and ice can reduce inflammation and help your shoulder muscles recover.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is a big part of treating shoulder pain. A physical therapist will help you strengthen the muscles around your neck and shoulder, improve joint mobility, and reduce the pain you feel when you yawn.
By following a customized program designed by your therapist, you can improve your range of motion and reduce muscle strain.
Also, regular sessions can also mean long-term improvements in your overall well-being and shoulder function.
How to Prevent Shoulder Pain When Yawning
To prevent shoulder pain when yawning, practice good posture and manage stress. By doing so, you can reduce your discomfort.
Good Posture
Good posture is absolutely essential for avoiding shoulder pain, especially when yawning. By keeping your head, neck, and shoulders in line, you can reduce strain in the shoulder area.
Keep those shoulders relaxed and in line to prevent unnecessary stress that can lead to discomfort.
Stress Management
High stress can cause muscle tension, which can worsen shoulder pain when yawning. Exercise is a great way to relieve stress and reduce muscle tension around the shoulder.
Incorporate mindfulness techniques in your daily routine to manage stress and in turn reduce shoulder discomfort.
By applying relaxation techniques, you can reduce muscle tension and prevent pain caused by yawning.
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When to See a Doctor
If you have shoulder pain with symptoms like chest tightness, difficulty breathing, or excessive sweating, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Also, when your shoulder joint looks deformed after an injury, you can’t use your arm, or the pain is unbearable, you should seek urgent care.
Consult a doctor if you see swelling and redness around your shoulder. This also applies if your pain is getting worse or you can’t move your arm. Sometimes surgery is the answer for shoulder pain that doesn’t respond to conservative treatments.
Bottom Line
At the end of the day, this is usually related to muscle tension or sometimes to a residual rotator cuff injury. Thus, it is important to get an accurate diagnosis.
For relief, you have some good options. Over-the-counter pain relievers are available, and don’t forget about the power of heat and ice. Physical therapy can also be helpful, relieving the pain and improving mobility.
