| Why does my shoulder always hurt? When will it ever | | | | the patient will develop asymmetries and abnormal |
| get better? Do I need surgery? These are some of | | | | movement patterns contributing to pain. Sometimes, |
| the questions you may be asking yourself; Shoulder | | | | the pattern of muscle recruitment can lead to |
| injuries are in fact very common. This is because there | | | | inefficient movements of the shoulder. Using muscles |
| are numerous underlying causes for a shoulder injury. I | | | | for functions for which they were not designed can |
| hope to answer some of your questions about | | | | lead to overuse and pain. Your physical therapist can |
| shoulder and teach you something that could help | | | | help determine which muscles are weak and which |
| ease your pain. | | | | muscles are being overused. By learning to strengthen |
| The shoulder girdle consists of three joints: the | | | | your weak muscles are relax your overused muscles, |
| glenohumeral joint, the acromioclavicular joint and the | | | | alignment and efficiency will improve. |
| sternoclavicular joint. These joints move together in an | | | | Possible Treatments for Shoulder Pain: |
| intricate pattern that can easily be disrupted. Alterations | | | | · Strengthening weak shoulder/scapular |
| in the precision of movement can lead to microtrauma, | | | | muscles |
| and if allowed to continue, macrotrauma in the | | | | · Working on postural endurance |
| shoulder. | | | | · Manual techniques including joint mobilization |
| There are many factors that can contribute to | | | | to decrease stiffness and pain, soft tissue mobilization |
| shoulder pain. Often, there is no obvious event or | | | | to improve flexibility and decrease pain |
| cause of the problem. However, the factors discussed | | | | · Manual resistance techniques to improve |
| in this article can also contribute to an overuse or a | | | | muscle activation for functional movements |
| traumatic injury. Your physical therapist can work with | | | | · Stretching shortened neck/shoulder/scapular |
| your physician to determine what factors may be | | | | muscles |
| causing or contributing to your pain. This goes beyond | | | | · Body mechanics training for activities of daily |
| what can be seen in an x-ray or an MRI. There are | | | | living and lifting techniques |
| usually many factors that contribute to shoulder pain | | | | · Ergonomic recommendations for work and |
| that must be addressed to make sure that the pain will | | | | home |
| not only go away, but that it will not come back. Each | | | | · Use of biofeedback or electric stimulation to |
| patient is assessed and given an individual plan of care | | | | improve muscle recruitment |
| based on their pathology, weaknesses and goals. | | | | · Use of modalities (ice, heat, laser light therapy, |
| Altered alignment of the shoulders, scapula and/or | | | | electric stimulation, TENS, interferential stimulation, or |
| spine can lead to shoulder pain. Your physical therapist | | | | ultrasound) for pain control |
| can look for asymmetries that may contribute to | | | | · Taping techniques to inhibit overused muscles |
| abnormal lengthening/shortening of musculature or joint | | | | and facilitate weak muscles |
| compression. Many factors can contribute to this | | | | Although there are many great ways to treat your |
| aspect of your problem including sleeping position, | | | | shoulder pain, there are just as many improper ways |
| ergonomic set-up at work/home, posture, exercise | | | | to treat yourself. Based on what you have learned |
| habits, stress and lifting mechanics. These factors must | | | | you may be able to make some lifestyle changes that |
| be addressed for optimal care. | | | | could help ease your pain, however, it is best to consult |
| The scapula could be the cause of shoulder pain. Even | | | | a physician or physical therapist to discover all of the |
| if the alignment is correct, if the scapula lacks stability, | | | | causes of your pain. |