Learn More About The
The Painful Shoulder
Shoulder pain is third most common musculoskeletal complaint after lower back and knee pain.
Between 16% to 26% of adults reported shoulder pain over a one-year period.
Reference: Hendriksen IJ, et al. Scand J Rheumatol. 2004;33(2):73-81. doi:10.1080/03009740310004667
Did you know?
What Makes Shoulder Pain Complex?
The shoulder's complex anatomy involves the connection between the arm, scapula, thorax, and neck. These structures work together, along with other body systems, to create motion or maintain a position based on the task at hand. Therefore, For someone to overcome shoulder-related limitations, we need to comprehensively understand the anatomy, motions, tasks and the connection to other systems in the body.
Primary Reasons For Shoulder-Related Pain and Limitations
Occupation-Related
Shoulder limitations that often result from occupational demands such as repetitive overhead movements or sitting from a long time in front of computer.
Sport-Related
Shoulder limitations that often result from high demand shoulder movements and often exceed the tissue’s capacity or a result of a trauma or a fall.
Metabolic-Related
Shoulder limitations that result from other systems, often metabolic or immune related.
Classification of Shoulder Limitations
The Painful Shoulder
Symptoms of discomfort or pain that is often localized specifically to the shoulder area, and it may also be referred to other related areas, such as the upper back, scapular region, or even extending down to the hand.
The Stiff Shoulder
Mobility restrictions in the shoulder can manifest through various symptoms that significantly impact daily activities. Individuals may experience stiffness or limited range of motion, making it difficult to raise their arm, reach behind their back, or perform overhead movements.
The Weak Shoulder
Presentation of weakness and instability in the shoulder joint and often decreased muscle mass. Individuals may struggle to lift objects, reach overhead, or engage in activities they enjoy.
The Post-Operative Shoulder
Presentation of low-capacity tissue and mobility limitations due to pain and inflammation of shoulder that often require early protection with extensive rehab time.
Rotator Cuff-Related Shoulder Pain
Most common type of shoulder pain with up to 20% of population experience it at one point. Learn about common treatment strategies:
-
individuals diagnosed with shoulder pain or suspected Rotator Cuff Related Shoulder Pain, the most effective approach is often to reduce movement without completely halting it, and to continue with an activity level that is manageable and tolerable.
-
Injections reduce pain for 1 in 5, or 20% of people. The benefit of the injection may only last 4 to 8 weeks, and for some people, there is only a small reduction in pain. All medications have side and adverse effects and understanding of pros and cons is essential.
-
Targeted shoulder exercise program was found to be highly beneficial in the management of rotator cuff related-shoulder pain and was found to decrease the need for surgery by 75%-80%. Often rehabilitation program is 12 weeks of progressive loading that aim to improve tissue capacity.