What is it?
The most common cause of shoulder pain is impingement to, or injury of the rotator cuff muscles. This is a group of four muscle that contribute to the movement and stability of the shoulder joint. For more information on rotator cuff read our PDF article by clicking here.
Aside from Rotator Cuff, there are also other reasons for shoulder pain. One of these reasons is a sprain to the acromioclavicular joint. This injury is often called a separated shoulder and is when the small joint between the collar bone and the shoulder blade is injured. This is commonly caused by a direct force to this joint, such as a fall or being hit into the boards in hockey or lacrosse. Another reason can be shoulder dislocation. This is when the ball on top of the arm bone slides out of the joint. The ball can return on its own or may have to be reduced by a physician. Osteoarthritis is also seen in the shoulder. These are just the most common causes of shoulder pain, but there are more. A thorough assessment by a physician or your healthcare professional can determine what is the root cause.
Aside from Rotator Cuff, there are also other reasons for shoulder pain. One of these reasons is a sprain to the acromioclavicular joint. This injury is often called a separated shoulder and is when the small joint between the collar bone and the shoulder blade is injured. This is commonly caused by a direct force to this joint, such as a fall or being hit into the boards in hockey or lacrosse. Another reason can be shoulder dislocation. This is when the ball on top of the arm bone slides out of the joint. The ball can return on its own or may have to be reduced by a physician. Osteoarthritis is also seen in the shoulder. These are just the most common causes of shoulder pain, but there are more. A thorough assessment by a physician or your healthcare professional can determine what is the root cause.
What can be Done?
As always, treatment will revolve around your goals and what you want to return to doing. An office worker who types for hours a day will have a different final goal than someone lifting throughout the day. Regardless, treatment should focus on three areas.
The first is symptom control. This means the we need to reduce the pain and inflammation to restore comfort and sleep. One of the most common complaints of shoulder pain is that it wakes people when sleeping. The second goal should focus on manual therapy and massage. This restores movement and reduces pain. Finally, no treatment plan is complete without some active exercise. Exercise can focus on mobility, strength or correcting movement patterns. It is this active component that returns function.
The first is symptom control. This means the we need to reduce the pain and inflammation to restore comfort and sleep. One of the most common complaints of shoulder pain is that it wakes people when sleeping. The second goal should focus on manual therapy and massage. This restores movement and reduces pain. Finally, no treatment plan is complete without some active exercise. Exercise can focus on mobility, strength or correcting movement patterns. It is this active component that returns function.