Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain is very common. The shoulder joint is a complex joint which moves in numerous directions. There are approximately twenty muscles controlling these movements. People who play sports that involves repetitive shoulder movements, such as overarm bowling or throwing or who play contact sports, such as rugby are prone to injury. Pain in your shoulder can stem from muscle and tendon damage, joint instability, dislocation, capsule tightness, radiculopathies, arthritis and/or neck joint dysfunction. Shoulder pain can cause a limitation in shoulder movement and use. As a result you may begin to compensate to achieve a particular movements that you would normally preform.

The most common movement that is firstly affected is reaching for an object above shoulder level. To achieve this movement your shoulder and neck muscles will compensate to help avoid pain. Once compensatory patterns begin the rotator cuff muscles and trapezius can become over worked and strain, impinge or weaken. Physiotherapy is a very important role in the treatment of shoulder pain. Your physiotherapist will assess the shoulder in detail to identify the root problem and associated muscle compensations. Your physiotherapist will use a range of techniques to restore full movement and relief pain also educating you on shoulder posture.