Shoulder pain is a very common problem that many people will experience in their lifetime. Your shoulder is a highly mobile ball and socket joint made up of several components including the humeral bone, scapula, strong tendons, ligaments, muscles, synovial fluid and a bursa. It allows us to be able to freely move our arm and accomplish many tasks due to its degree of movement. However, this also makes it more susceptible to injury as it is not as it is less stable than other joints in your body.
Common Causes of Shoulder Pain Include
- Osteoarthritis
- Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
- Inflamed bursa
- Rotator cuff tears
- Labral tears
- Instability
- Dislocations
- AC joint injury
- Referred pain from neck
Symptoms will often include pain deep into the shoulder joint, front or back, reduced movement, weakness lifting your arm, sensation of pins and needles, catching or pinching pain and interrupted sleep.
How Physiotherapy Can Help Treat Shoulder Pain
Physiotherapy can help ease the pain and strengthen the injured area. This is because the type of treatment ensures you are getting to the source of the problem and solving it rather than masking the pain. A correct diagnosis and tailored treatment from a Physiotherapist can help reduce your pain and restore your shoulder function. There are a wide variety of Physiotherapy approaches plus various techniques used to help shoulder pathologies.
What Your Physiotherapist Will Do to Solve Your Shoulder Pain
- Start with a detailed history & physical examination
- Assess the range, strength and stability of your shoulder
- Identify the sources or pain or tenderness
- Address any biomechanical abnormalities
- Review lifestyle, sport or occupational regimes
- Treat the source of the condition through an array of therapeutic interventions including soft tissue massage, mobilisations, dry needling, and exercise rehabilitation consisting of stretching and strengthening
- Education on managing your pain, modifying activities and avoiding aggravating factors
