Have Your Shoulder Pain Fixed By All Care Physiotherapy – Your Physio Clinic In The City
Fixing your shoulder pain to obtain long term relief is not a simple task!
The anatomy of the shoulder is complex to allow a beautiful combination of movement, flexibility, and strength. The 3 bones that make the up the shoulder complex are the
- Humerus (upper arm)
- Scapula (shoulder)
- Clavicle (collar bone).
With almost 360 degrees of motion, the shoulder is by far the most mobile joint in the human body. This large range of movement is only achieved through sacrificing stability and a reliance on your muscles and ligaments for support, over the natural structure and connection between the bony structures.
Complex joints that require a complex interaction between the bones, ligaments and muscles require a honed level of muscle control, strength, and coordination to maintain normal pain free function.
One of these important structures that support your shoulder is known as your rotator cuff. Your rotator cuff is made up of four muscles: supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis. These four muscles work in synergy to achieve two main functions. First, they stabilize the joint by keeping your humerus centred during movement. Second, they control shoulder rotation and allow for complex movements through diagonals and multiple planes, such as reaching into the cabinet or behind you in the car.
So, what causes YourShoulder Pain?
Due to the natural compromise of stability for increased mobility in the shoulder joint, problems such as instability or impingement of the muscles, ligaments, or other structures, can arise resulting in pain.
One common condition that causes shoulder pain is bursitis. Bursitis occurs when a structure within your shoulder, known as your bursa, becomes inflamed. The bursa is a structure located at your shoulder tip, and acts as a cushion to facilitate smooth movement. Common symptoms of shoulder bursitis include swelling of your shoulder, pain or trouble with performing daily activities like taking your shirt off, and difficulties lying on the affected shoulder especially at night.
Other conditions that affect your shoulder include arthritis, tendon strains (tendinopathies), and muscle strains; all of which cause pain, inflammation, and limits mobility.
We have successfully treated many clients with shoulder pain. As mentioned, the shoulder is complex and needs a well-directed treatment plan to fix it. Our treatment plan involves the following components.
- Local treatment modality to settle pain and inflammation (Shockwave therapy/Ultrasound/taping)
- Releases of the tight muscles affecting the motion of the shoulder joint (muscle releases/dry needling)
- Mobilisation of the upper back which directly affects the end range of the shoulder.
- Stretches for the tight muscles.
- Rotator cuff strengthening programme.
- Progression to whole shoulder complex strengthening.
- Home exercise programme to maximise your recovery.
- Advice on how to manage your shoulder pain so life doesn’t aggravate it!
We know that treatment will take 6-12 weeks to fully rehabilitate your shoulder back to where you are happily doing all the activities pain free and return to a pain free lifestyle.
A recentclient wasFiona,who came to us with shoulder pain that had been impacting her quality of life for 6 months. Fiona was 64 years old who wanted to pick up her recently born granddaughter. At first, Fiona tried continuing to play with her granddaughter, but she soon noticed her pain getting worse, to the point that daily tasks, such as getting dressed, were becoming extremely painful.
Fiona then came to All Care Physiotherapy to seek a end to her shoulder pain which included deep tissue massage,ultrasound therapy, dry needling, and a personalised home exercise program to get rid of her pain and improve mobility. Over 2 months, Fiona was completely pain free and able to pick up and play with her granddaughter. Even after a follow up 6 months later Fionawas still completely pain free and playing her granddaughter every weekend!