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SHOULDER PAIN

Rotator cuff injuries/rotator cuff strain

The rotator cuff muscles control rotation of the shoulder. These muscles are put under a great deal of strain especially swinging a hammer, throwing and racket sports where your arm is above your head a lot. Usually the subscapularis, supraspinatus, infraspinatus are directly involved and poor posture is the perpetuating factor. The pec minor muslce is usaully tight and if you look at the shoulder you see the shoulder forward of the chest.

Impingement syndrome

Impingement syndrome is when the rotator cuff tendons become trapped in the shoulder joint. Repeated impingement can lead to inflammation and thickening, which in turn will result in more impingement and trapping of the inflamed tendons. Usually the subscapularis, supraspinatus, infraspinatus are directly involved and are being crushed by the humerus (upper arm bone)and the acromian (the top of the shoulder blade). Poor posture is the perpetuating factor and the pec minor muslce is usaully tight and if you look at the shoulder you see the shoulder forward of the chest.

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AC Joint Sprain

This is where the clavicle (collar bone) meets the acromion process of the scapular(collar bone). It is a bony bit on the top of the shoulder. This joint can be injured by falling onto the shoulder, elbow or an outstretched arm. The upper trapezius muscle is generally torn and needs to be worked on. The neck is often involved and needs chioropractic.

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Frozen Shoulder / Adhesive capsulitis

A frozen shoulder (known also as adhesive capsulitis) is a condition that occasionally occurs in older athletes. It is this joint and the surrounding capsule that becomes inflamed and eventual there is a significant loss in mobility. The subscapularis is often involved.

 

Arthritis

This is when the lining of the joint has worn away and in its latter stages there is extra bone layed down these are often called spurs. Injury of the long head of the biceps Inflammation of this tendon is a fairly common complaint especially with swimmers, rowers, throwers, golfers and weight lifters. Often caused by improper movement.

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Instability / Subluxation

Referred Pain from Cervical and Thoracic Spine

 

Glenoid Labrum Injury

Shoulder pain resulting from damage to the lining of the cavity the end of the upper arm bone sits in.

  

Subacromial bursitis

Over the supraspinatus tendon is a bursa (small sack of fluid used to help lubricate the moving tendon). This bursa can become trapped in the shoulder causing pain and inflammation. The athlete is more prone to this injury if they overuse the shoulder particularly if the arm is at or above shoulder level. Or if the athlete has had a rupture of the supraspinatus tendon. Injuries we do not treat directly. We may be able to treat the adhesions, movement dysfunctions in the surrounding tissues, which will help you heal faster.

 

Dislocated Shoulder

This is one of the most common traumatic sporting injuries and occurs frequently in contact sports such as rugby or judo. Shoulder dislocations can be either anterior or posterior dislocations.

 

Fracture of the clavicle

Shoulder injury involving a fracture of the collar bone or clavicle. This bone is usually fractured as a result of falling badly onto an outstretched arm or onto the shoulder. 

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Dislocation of the sterno-clavicular joint

The clavicle (or collar bone) connects to the sternum (or breast bone) in the middle of the chest at the top. If the shoulder is subjected to a hard impact this joint can become damaged.

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Common causes

  • Improper movement 

  • Abnormal biomechanics 

  • Imbalance muscles 

  • Previous trauma injury 

  • Repetitive micro trauma 

  • Adhesions/scar tissue of Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Subscapularis, Teres minor, shoulder capsule, Upper trapezius

  • Spinal misalignment/subluxation of the cervical and thoracic spine

  • Tight muscles 

  • Acute trauma 

  • Overuse injury 

  • Poor posture 

  • Arthritis

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Solutions
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