THURSDAY, April 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- As the most flexible joint in your body, your shoulder can move and position your arm in many ways. But this flexibility also makes it prone to instability and injury.
Shoulder muscles, ligaments and tendons can be injured by sports, household chores and heavy lifting. These injuries sometimes take months to heal and can interfere with everyday tasks, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says.
In 2010, about 16 million Americans visited their doctor for a shoulder problem, and more than 2.7 million were diagnosed with sprains and strains of the shoulder and upper arm, according to the academy.
"Strengthening and stretching the muscles that support your shoulder joint can keep it stable and restore range of motion to help reduce the risk of injuries," orthopedic surgeon Dr. Brent Ponce, an academy spokesman, said in an academy news release.
"If you suspect unusual pain in the joint, do not ignore it. Seek professional care to avoid further damage," added Ponce, who specializes in shoulder injuries.
He suggested certain exercises to strengthen the shoulder muscles:
More information
The American Academy of Family Physicians has more about shoulder problems.