Shouldering the Burden of Pain?
The shoulder is one of the most complex and versatile joints in the human body, allowing for a wide range of motion. However, this complexity also makes it susceptible to various injuries and painful conditions. The shoulder joint, more scientifically referred to as the glenohumeral joint, is a ball-and-socket joint in which the upper arm bone (humerus) and glenoid cavity of the shoulder blade (scapula) interact. The rotator cuff, a group of muscles and tendons surrounding this joint, provides stability and facilitates movement. With at least seven muscles, three bones, four tendons, and four ligaments, not to mention bursae and capsules, there’s both the freedom to perform a very wide range of movements allowing us to engage in all kinds of athletic tasks, and, unfortunately, also a lot anatomy that can suffer if things go wrong. Let’s look at some of the problems people commonly face when shouldering the burden of shoulder pain.
Shoulder pain is one of the most common regional pain syndromes. In fact, the National Library of Medicine reports that 18-26% of adults at any point in time are affected by it. Some of the more typical pain-causing situations are:
- Arthritis
Damage to the cartilage in joints usually occurs through wear and tear over time related to age and use, or from injuries that change mechanics of the joint, thus hastening the wearing down of tissue.
- Rotator Cuff Tears
Whether partial, or full-thickness tears, these often result from acute trauma or repetitive overhead activities such as house painting, carpentry, or ball throwing.
- Labral Tears
Similar to rotator cuff tears, but in the labrum, which is a ring of cartilage in the shoulder joint.
- Impingement
Sometimes called swimmer’s shoulder, this painful syndrome occurs when the shoulder blade pinches the rotator cuff beneath it, though there are several varieties of the condition.
To prevent shoulder problems, the same general strategies for all joints and muscles equally apply of course to the glenohumeral joint.
- Warm-Up and Stretching
Proper warm-up before engaging in physical activities can enhance blood flow to the muscles and reduce the risk of injury. Stretching exercises help maintain flexibility and prevent stiffness.
- Strengthening Exercises
Strengthening the rotator cuff and surrounding muscles can provide better support to the shoulder joint. Exercises such as shoulder presses, rows, and rotator cuff-specific movements can help. These should definitely be prescribed and overseen by a professional, lest you cause more damage by overtraining the affected tissue.
- Ergonomic Adjustments
Ensuring proper posture and ergonomics, especially for individuals who spend long hours at a desk or perform repetitive tasks, can prevent shoulder strain.
- Technique Modification
Athletes and individuals engaged in repetitive overhead activities should focus on using proper techniques to reduce stress on the shoulder joint. A coach or specialist in your area of training can lend an educated eye to your technique, and offer constructive suggestions for improvement.
You need not continue shouldering that burden of pain. If you’ve already gotten past the point of injury or problematic pain, bear in mind that physical therapy treatment has been shown to improve pain, mobility, and shoulder function. Schedule a consultation with our team of pain experts so we can do our part helping you move without pain! Our clinic is in Bradenton, so we’re easily accessible from all over Manatee and Sarasota Counties. You can get answers to some general questions at our frequently asked questions page, and give us a call at (941) 264-1414 or email our staff at info@ptdoctorsfl.com so that our Physical Therapy Doctors and Assistants can assess your shoulder situation and devise a personalized plan of recovery. Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida are experts at crafting a program to treat back and joint pain of all kinds.