Understanding your Shoulder Pain

Are you experiencing pain in your shoulder?

Frozen Shoulder? Shoulder impingement? Which is which?

There are many causes of shoulder pain but that doesn’t mean that if you have pain in your shoulder means you have Frozen Shoulder. Frozen shoulder generally refers to pain in the shoulder that would gradually lead to a decrease in one’s ability to move your shoulder freely. More commonly, in the absence of an acute incident, our cause of shoulder pain is generally a shoulder impingement, causing pain on movement. Shoulder impingement occurs generally due to an inflammation of the rotator cuff muscles as the muscle tendon is either being pinched in the shoulder or an overuse. Shoulder impingement arises due to our high incidence of slouching due to prolong computer usage or poor sitting/standing posture.

Possible causes of Shoulder Pain

  • Rotator Cuff Tear
  • Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
  • Tendinitis or Tendinopathy
  • Bursitis 
  • Impingement Syndrome
  • Shoulder Instability 
  • Arthritis
  • Labral Tear
  • Nerve Compression (Brachial Plexus)
  • Posture-related Strain

How can Physiotherapy help?

At Physio Connectionz, our skilled Physiotherapists employ a comprehensive approach for your shoulder pain. This involves:

  • Functional Assessment (Observation of your posture and shoulder movement)
  • Palpation of your rotator cuff and scapular muscles
  • Manual Assessment (To gauge your capsule flexibility and muscle strength)

Once identified, we might incorporate deep tissue mobilization to alleviate muscle or capsule tightness. You’ll be taught stretches and strengthening exercises to address weaknesses in the rotator cuff and/or scapular muscles. Therapeutic Ultrasound or TENS could be utilized to manage inflammation and pain. With our expertise, we recognize the complexity of the shoulder joint, composed of 5 joints that enable free movement. Through functional movement observation, we can guide you in enhancing muscle control not only in the shoulder blade but also the upper back muscles.

How can you help yourself and avoid shoulder pain?

Shoulder pain can significantly impact your activities of daily living. The good news is that there are steps you can take to prevent shoulder pain and maintain optimal shoulder health.

  •  Maintain a good posture throughout the day
  • Incorporating stretches and flexibility exercises 
  • Strengthening exercises for the rotator cuff and upper back muscles
  • Be mindful of lifting techniques
  • Avoid overexertion

If you experience persistent discomfort or have concerns about your shoulder health, consulting a physiotherapist can provide personalized guidance and exercises tailored to your needs. Remember, small proactive measures can go a long way in keeping your shoulders pain-free and functional.