Overview

 

The shoulder is a complex joint and it involves more muscles than any other joint in the body. This makes the shoulder joint more susceptible to injury because it is able to move through such a wide range of motion.

 

Some causes of shoulder pain

 

• Muscle strains- most commonly involves the rotator cuff and can be due to the muscle fatiguing due to overexertion

• Tendonitis- usually due to overuse

• Shoulder joint dislocation and instability

• Dislocation will usually only occur is there is heavy trauma to the shoulder joint. Following this, the shoulder joint often becomes unstable and prone to re-dislocation.

• 'Frozen' shoulder- also known as adhesive capsulitis, involves progressive pain and stiffness in shoulder with marked decrease in range of movement.

• Pinched nerves- Nerve impingement in the neck may cause shoulder pain.

 

What is Rotator Cuff?

 

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that holds the shoulder joint in place and help move the shoulder. These muscles are: The supraspinatus The infraspinatus The subscapularis The teres minor Rotator cuff injuries result from inflammation or damage to the rotator cuff muscles or tendons. Rotator cuff inflammation may result from general wear and tear that occurs with age, activities that involve a repetitive shoulder action, trauma, muscle imbalance or poor posture. If inflammation is left untreated it may lead to a tear in that muscle, usually in the tendon. The most common place to develop a tear in the shoulder is in the supraspinatus tendon.

 

Myotherapy treatment

 

By treating the rotator cuff as well as the other surrounding shoulder musculature, Myotherapy aims to decrease shoulder pain, improve functional range, improve scapular control, strengthen scapular stabilizers and rotator cuff muscles, improve posture and regain normal shoulder biomechanics.

 

• Soft tissue manipulation

• Trigger point therapy

• Dry needling

• Electrotherapy- such as TENS

• Stretching exercises

• Strengthening program Postural retraining