Have You Been ‘Putting Up’ With Shoulder Pain?
Has your slightly painful and ‘niggly’ shoulder started to become more prominent?
Are you struggling with everyday activities such as reaching high cupboards, hanging the washing and reaching behind your back?
Has your shoulder pain progressed to the point of keeping you awake at night, or are you unable to lie on your affected side?
…If so, it is time to get this issue sorted!
What Causes Shoulder Pain?
The shoulder is the most unstable joint in the human body. In our shoulder, we trade stability for mobility – allowing us to reach overhead, climb and perform tasks activities of daily living. This means that our shoulder has very little structural support from ligaments and the shoulder capsule, placing a huge demand on the proper and efficient functioning of our shoulder musculature.
It is a reality that we are becoming more and more sedentary as a society. Combined with longer times spent in slouched postures, we are not only becoming generally weaker through our upper bodies but we are placing notable muscles of our shoulders – such as our rotator cuff muscles – in sub-optimal positions for their use.
This can cause short term episodes of pain – such as muscle tightness and strains. Over the long term this can create issues such as rotator cuff tendinopathies and shoulder bursitis.
We have created an interactive flowchart that may assist with you diagnosing your own shoulder issue below.
SHOULDER PAIN FLOWCHART
Please click on the picture to expand the image.
Based on the mechanism and history behind your shoulder pain it aims to provide you with an insight into your potential diagnosis. However, please note that this is by no means an exhaustive list of pathologies that can result in shoulder pain. This flowchart is simply a guide on the most common causes of shoulder pain, such as rotator cuff tears and tendinopathies; and sub-acromial bursitis.
How Can Your Physiotherapist Help?
Your physiotherapist is your expert at diagnosing shoulder pain and can guide you through your rehabilitation.
If your shoulder is painful, your physiotherapist can provide immediate pain relief through techniques such as massage, joint mobilisations and dry needling.
Once your initial pain has subsided, we will then aim to strengthen your shoulder. This will provide additional support for your shoulder and restore strength to key muscles – such as your rotator cuff.