Shoulder pain can occur at any age, but is more common beyond the age of 50. Dislocation of the shoulder can be secondary to a traumatic incident such as a fall or motor vehicle accident, however most shoulder problems are of gradual onset, and get slowly worse over time if left untreated. This can lead to difficulty getting dressed, reaching for objects and even sleeping due to pain.
The most common causes of shoulder pain are bursitis and rotator cuff tendonopathy. Bursitis is an inflammatory condition of the bursa of the shoulder. Tendonopathy, previously known as tendonitis, is a degenerative wear and tear type condition of one or more of the four rotator cuff tendons of the shoulder. Both of these conditions develop secondary to what is known as dysfunction, which literally means not functioning well, where for several reasons the shoulder is not functioning fluently, leading to excessive strain on the bursa and tendon structures. It is also possible that shoulder pain can be what is known as ‘referred pain’ coming from the neck.
Treatment for shoulder pain involves reducing inflammation to relieve pain initially, and then addressing the underlying causes of the dysfunction, which usually involves releasing excessively tight muscles with massage therapy, combined with strengthening muscles which are not currently strong enough to perform their job well. Posture correction is often a further part of treatment, as poor posture around the neck and shoulders can be a primary cause of shoulder pain and dysfunction.
Our therapists at The Glen Back Care & Sports Therapy are experienced in treating all forms of shoulder pain. If you are experiencing shoulder pain don’t wait till it becomes a more severe problem, when it is then more difficult to treat. Book now with one of our friendly staff who will get you back on track to feeling and functioning well!