Shoulder

Shoulder pain can often be complex and frustrating to manage. The most common type of shoulder pain is related to the rotator cuff. It can either occur after a trauma or gradually over time due to recurrent strain. Pain is often felt around various areas of the shoulder, including some pain referring a short way into the upper arm in more severe cases. It may affect tasks involving heavy lifting and reaching overhead, and can also be aggravated by staying in one place for an extended period, for example sitting at a desk. It can affect sleep, often making us wake up if we roll onto the affected side.

Assessment to determine what is causing or contributing to the problem is followed by targeted management which often involves rotator cuff targeted strengthening along with advice around reduction of loading of aggravating activities. Small adjustments to positions can alleviate aggravating movements and specific strengthening can promote healing.

The shoulder is a really mobile joint and relies on muscles for its stability. Therefore exercise is always a staple part of any treatment. Other conditions that may manifest with similar symptoms but require differential diagnosis as they need targeted treatment include;

  • Frozen shoulder (capsulitis) which causes a significant loss of movement.
  • Labral tear, common following a trauma, which can cause instability and clunking of the shoulder.
  • Pain referring from the neck- often causes neurological symptoms such as numbness, tingling, burning or shooting pains into the arm