Many of us have experienced shoulder pain at one point or another. It can occur when we reach for something on a high shelf, roll over in bed, or sit hunched over a keyboard at work. It may begin after having an injury or a surgical procedure. The level of pain can vary between a mild annoyance or becoming so severe that you feel as though you can’t use your shoulder. Shoulder pain that’s the result of a pulled muscle may only last for a few days whereas pain from bones rubbing against bones may be ongoing. ProActive Physiotherapy in Edmonton, AB will help you to manage the pain.
What Causes Shoulder Pain?
Did you know that your shoulder has the biggest range out of all the joints in your body? It is a very complex joint that is made up of many muscles, tendons, and bones. It is called a “ball-and-socket” joint. The “humerus” is the bone in your upper arm that fits in the space in your shoulder blade which is called the “scapula”. A dense layer of cartilage protects the ends of the bone and helps to prevent the bones from rubbing against each other. There are also sacs filled with fluid called “bursae” that keep the tendons from rubbing against the bones. Tendons also attach shoulder bones to a different set of bones that are known as the “rotator cuff”.
Shoulder pain will vary depending on the cause. You may experience pain from impingement at a certain point when you move your arm. The pain may start when you raise your arm in certain directions. Injuries may cause more sudden and intense pain that makes it impossible for you to be able to move your arm. Have you been in a car accident? Your upper body often bears most of the force in a motor vehicle accident. It’s important to seek out physiotherapy for a car accident as soon as possible.
Common Conditions
There are many causes of shoulder pain as it is a very complex joint. Here are the most common:
- Tendonitis: this occurs when the shoulder is overused. This is often caused by playing sports, a job that involves repetitive labour, and overhead activities. It may also be caused by poor posture which changes the normal forces and pressures on tendons. Tendonitis causes the tendons to experience inflammation which results in swollen and painful impingement when you raise your arm.
- Rotator cuff tear: this is commonly caused by injury, overuse, poor posture, and age. These issues may also cause the rotator cuff to be partially or completely torn. This may lead to having to have surgery if the wound is severe. Physiotherapy will help with the rehabilitation of your rotator cuff.
- Frozen shoulder: this condition is also known as “adhesive capsulitis”. It may happen if your arm has been immobilized in a cast or a sling, or if you have been bedridden for a length of time. A frozen shoulder may result in painful loss of motion as well as tightening of the shoulder joint.
- Arthritis: the two types of arthritis that affect your joints are rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the immune system attacks the membranes that surround the shoulder joint. This results in pain and swelling. Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage in the shoulder joint is overused and from age. Arthritis may also lead to the weakening of shoulder muscles and difficulty performing routine tasks.
- Injury: you may hurt your shoulders in a car accident. Physiotherapy is an excellent treatment for a car accident injury.
Physiotherapy Can Help
The expert physiotherapists at ProActive Physiotherapy in Edmonton, AB will examine your shoulders and will create a customized treatment plan. Your physiotherapist will work with you to discover the cause of your shoulder pain. Physiotherapy will help to reduce the pain and to improve the range of motion in your shoulders. Call today to book an appointment with the physiotherapy Edmonton loves!
