SHOULDER PAIN
Did you know 10 percent of the population suffer from shoulder pain or dysfunction at any given point in time? If you are one these people whose work, sport, sleep, leisure or everyday activities are being affected by shoulder pain, our experienced physiotherapists can help.
The shoulder is a complex joint, with many structures having the potential to cause pain. The shoulder joint has a very large range of movement which means it is quite susceptible to injury. Injuries can affect the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joint, cartilage or nerves, causing pain in the region of the shoulder, arm, neck and upper back. Injury may be sudden, due to trauma, or gradual, due to an overuse injury or muscle imbalance. Some neck and upper back problems can also contribute to pain in the shoulder and arm. Some common injuries to the shoulder include:
- Rotator Cuff dysfunction, tears and tenosynovitis
- Frozen shoulder
- Fractures of the humerus or clavicle
- Ligaments sprains or tears
- Joint sprains
- Labral (cartilage) tears
- Referred pain
- Muscle strains
- Dislocated shoulder
A thorough physiotherapy assessment is essential to diagnose the cause of your pain. This will determine the best treatment plan and management for your condition so the optimal outcome can be reached for you. Further investigation may be necessary, such as an X-ray, Ultrasound or MRI to confirm your diagnosis. These tests are ordered in liaison with your referring practitioner, ensuring they are kept up to date with your diagnosis and treatment outcomes.
Treatment for your shoulder condition will often focus on pain relief initially and then progress to restoration of movement, strength and function.
Treatment may include techniques such as:
- Soft tissue mobilisation
- Exercises
- Joint mobilisation
- Dry Needling
- Electrotherapy (for pain relief)
- Activity and postural advice
- Taping
It is essential that causative factors are identified and any muscular imbalances are addressed with specific exercises for your condition. This will assist you in returning to your previous activities as soon as possible and avoiding any further injury or exacerbations.
If you are experiencing new or ongoing shoulder pain that if affecting your life, then call our practice and book in to have your shoulder examined by one of our experienced physiotherapists.