You Don't Have to Live With Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain is a common complaint among patients of all ages. It can start with an injury, or even more commonly it begins gradually over a period of weeks to months or even years. It is often seen in patients who perform repetitive or overhead activities, and becomes more common with aging. In some cases shoulder pain can start for what seems like no reason at all.

What can you do?

• Activity rest (no heavy or over head lifting, or activities that aggravate your pain)
• Ice (15min at a time, 1-3 times a day) 
• Medication such as ibuprophen, acetaminophen or naproxen (at the advice of your doctor)
• Maintain a good posture through the day 
• Avoid sleeping on sore shoulder when possible 
• Gentle exercises – pendulum, wall walk, shoulder blade squeeze 

Most cases of shoulder pain can improve with the above within a week. 

When should you seek treatment?

• Following a specific injury rather than a slow onset 
• Decreased ROM or weakness 
• Any shoulder pain lasting more than a week 

How Physiotherapy can help:

• Identify whether your pain is soft tissue, joint etc or caused by impingement, muscle imbalance, postural, overuse, age, etc
• Identify which rotator cuff muscle(s) may be problematic 
• Decrease pain with ultrasound, acupuncture, IFC, TENS
• Increase ROM with manual therapy and exercises
• Establish appropriate gradual strengthening program, individual for each patient 
• Educate on proper lifting techniques and restrictions
• Suggest further imaging or next steps when appropriate 

Adelaide Clinic will work towards achieving your goals of recovery whether it’s to return to pitching a full game or just be able to lift your arm up without pain. 

Together…lets fix your pain! 

Upper cross syndrome

Is characterized by a Muscle imbalance: when some muscles become weak while other muscles become tight.

This does not manifest in a random pattern; rather it follows a predictable pattern where one group of muscles consistently become weak and a separate group of muscles develop tightness. 

The observed muscle imbalances in the “Upper Cross Syndrome” are:

• Tight Muscles 

• Levator Scapulae, Upper Trapezius, Pectoralis Major and Minor, SCM
• Masseter, temporalis, digastric, suboccipital muscles

• Weak/Inhibited Muscles

• Deep Neck Flexors

• Lower Scapular Stabilizers – Middle and Lower Trapezius, Serratus Anterior, Rhomboids

Suprahyoid and mylohyoid

Postural Findings: 

• Rounded shoulders and shortened pectoralis group
• Elevation of shoulders and shortened upper trapezius and levator scapulae
• Anterior head carriage
• Shortened suboccipitals
• Upper cervical hyperextension
• Winging of the scapulae with rotation and abduction

Consequences

• Stress to the cervicocranial and the cervicothoracic junctions, glenohumeral and temporomandibular joint resulting in joint dysfunction and trigger points.
• Manifests as headaches, neck pain, scapular pain, shoulder dysfunction, and TMJ disorders