Help for Shoulder Injuries!
This article will help you to identify some of the most common causes of shoulder pain with tips to help prevent and resolve these potentially disabling conditions.
In addition to this free educational material you will find a promotional gift worth $150 attached that you can use right now or print for future use. Feel free to share this gift of health with your family and friends!
Shoulder Anatomy
The shoulder joint is essentially formed by two large bones, the arm bone or “humerus” and the shoulder blade or “scapula.” The upper portion of your humerus has a large ball shape which sits in a shallow cup of the scapula. A strong cartilaginous ring known as the “labrum” helps to stabilize this union of the two bones.
For additional support a web of tight fibrous bands called “ligaments” form a capsule around the joint. Around that capsule, we have a thick cuff, essentially compromised of four muscles, aptly named the “rotator cuff” (commonly mispronounced as “rotary cuff, or cup”). The rotator cuff muscles all originate on the shoulder blade and attach at the upper arm, allowing you to rotate your arm in all directions.
To decrease friction caused with rotation you have several strategically placed “bursae” throughout the shoulder. A bursae is a small fluid filled sac – imagine a balloon with just a small amount of water inside – that allows these structures in high friction areas to glide past one another.
One other muscle that should be discussed here is the biceps muscle. The biceps muscle sits on the front part of the upper arm, and has a deep tendonous attachment to the front part of your shoulder blade.
When someone speaks of a shoulder problem, it is likely that they have had injury to one or more of the above mentioned structures. A short discussion follows…
Common Shoulder Disorders
Shoulder Impingement
Impingement is one of the most common causes of pain in the adult shoulder. As stated above, the four main shoulder muscles originate on the shoulder blade in the back, and attach via a tendon on the arm. These tendons pass through and around several structures before the point of insertion. If the space is not adequate, it will become squeezed and thus irritated as you use your shoulder throughout your daily routine.
The space may be obstructed for many reasons...bony obstructions as with arthritic spurs, or post-fracture, swelling as with tendonitis or bursitis (discussed below), or other anatomical issues.
If left untreated the condition almost always worsens, and the best way to find out is by having a trained clinician evaluate you. In most cases diagnostic imaging is not necessary in early stages.
If you are experiencing symptoms associated with Shoulder Impingement, call our office today 952-224-9501
Rotator Cuff Injury
Many people associate rotator cuff injuries with highly conditioned sports players. It is true that muscles of the rotator cuff can be injured with high velocity activities such as throwing a ball. However, in practice we often see degenerative injuries of the cuff. Arthritic spurs, poor posture, and aberrant biomechanics commonly lead to such injuries. In many cases these injuries can be prevented and reversed through conservative therapy at our office. So don't wait until you need surgery.
If you are experiencing symptoms associated with Rotator Cuff Injury, or if you are concerned that your poor posture may lead to such, call our office today to see how our techniques can benefit you. 952-224-9501
Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, is a medical condition that involves progressive pain and loss of motion in the shoulder joint. Frozen shoulder results from a thickening and shortening of the capsule that surrounds the shoulder joint. Patients with this condition have difficulty moving their arm in every direction. The condition may follow trauma, may be associated with diabetes, or may come on insidiously.
Patients with frozen shoulder should have immediate assessment to find if an underlying cause exists, and begin a treatment regimen of physical therapy if appropriate.
If you are experiencing symptoms associated with frozen shoulder, call our office today to see how our techniques can benefit you.
952-224-9501
Shoulder Tendonitis
The tendon is the band that attaches a muscle to a bone. In the discussion above you learned that the shoulder has several important muscles. When the tendon becomes irritated and inflamed, it is termed "tendonitis." Irritation may occur due to overuse, deconditioning of the muscles, poor posture, or bony abnormalities, as is the case with arthritis.
Shoulder Bursitis
Recall above - A bursae is a small fluid-filled sac found all over your body in high friction areas (imagine a baloon holding a small amount of water.) When that bursae becomes irritated, that sac can become inflamed, or swollen. The bursae itself will become very painful, and may put pressure on other sensitive structures nearby - remember it is already in high-friction areas. If you think you are having signs of bursitis, it is important to have a trained clinician assess the reason for the pain and determine the cause. If you have been searching for an exceptional physical rehabilitation clinic, or if you have experienced any of the above-mentioned conditions or symptoms, you may be a candidate for conservative care at our office. Give us a call to find out today (952) 224-9501
