Shoulder Pain and What May Be Causing It

Shoulder Pain

Most people that complain of “shoulder” pain either hurt it while engaging in an activity or the pain had manifested itself through time. Some experience the pain at rest and some only feel the pain with movement. Regardless, pain in the shoulder can result in dysfunction limiting your ability to scratch your back to making it difficult to reach overhead.

With mobility, the shoulder loses stability. Therefore, strengthening the proper muscles is absolutely essential in reducing your risk for repetitive stresses to your shoulder.

Anatomy

The shoulder joint is made up of 3 bones: the upper arm (humerus), shoulder blade (scapula), and the collarbone (clavicle). The shoulder is considered a ball and socket joint, with the ball being the head of the humerus and the socket (glenoid) on the scapula. A combination of muscles and tendons help keep the humerus in the socket. This group of muscles and tendons are called the rotator cuff. Additionally, there are fluid filled sacs called Bursae that help reduce friction between muscles and bone.

Common Sources of Pain

Tendonitis

A tendon is the connective tissue that connects muscle to bone. Acute pain can result from excessive activity during work or sport. Chronic can result as part of a degenerative process due to age or wear and tear leading to tendonosis.

Impingement

This occurs when the most superior portion of the shoulder pinches the underlying tendons/bursae when you reach overhead or away from the body. This can lead to tendonitis/bursitis resulting in pain that limits full range of motion. Poor posture can result in pinching of the tendons/bursae when reaching away from the body.

Home Remedy

· Ice/heat injured area for 15-20 minutes at a time, 3-4x/day; if acute, use ice for the first 3-5 days, then after alternating between ice and heat is okay.

· Anti-inflammatory medications

· Never let pain progress without contacting your local physical therapist

Physical Therapy

· Restore motion and improve posture by stretching/strengthening and performing range of motion exercises

· Manual therapy performed by the therapist can help decrease pain and increase motion

· PT can help build you a specific home exercise program to help address your specific limitations

Please feel free to contact Dr. Joey Salgado by calling 650-517-3639 or emailing progressivemotionpt@gmail.com. You can also find more information or up to date information on Progressive Motion Physical Therapy’s facebook and twitter page:

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