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Shoulder pain is something that nearly all of us will deal with at some point. Whether it’s from sitting too long at your desk, repetitive movements, or an acute injury, shoulder pain can have a huge impact on your daily life.
So, let’s break down the most common causes of shoulder pain and how Physiotherapy can help you get back to feeling great!
1. Neurogenic Causes (Nerve-Related Pain)
Not all shoulder pain comes from the muscles!
Nerve issues, like a pinched nerve in your neck (cervical radiculopathy), can refer pain to your shoulder. A recent study found that nearly 30% of shoulder pain cases were linked to spinal problems. If you’re feeling pain that radiates from your neck into your shoulder or down your arm, it could be nerve-related.
How Physiotherapy Helps:
Physiotherapists can use nerve mobilization techniques and posture correction to reduce nerve irritation. Strengthening your spine and shoulder muscles also helps keep the nerves free from compression.
2. Muscular Weakness or Imbalance
Weakness in the muscles that stabilize your shoulder—especially the rotator cuff—can leave you vulnerable to pain and injury. As we age, muscle strength naturally declines, and this can lead to discomfort during everyday activities, like reaching for that top shelf.
How Physiotherapy Helps:
Through targeted exercises, Physiotherapists can strengthen the rotator cuff and surrounding muscles, improving shoulder stability and reducing pain. They’ll also teach you proper movement patterns to prevent strain.
3. Repetitive Strain or Overuse
If you’re doing repetitive movements, like typing or lifting, you may develop overuse injuries. The rotator cuff and surrounding tissues can get irritated from repetitive motion, leading to pain and limited movement.
How Physiotherapy Helps:
We’ll assess your posture and daily movements to pinpoint the issue, then develop a personalized plan to strengthen and stretch the affected muscles. This helps prevent further strain and pain, especially for those who do repetitive work.
4. Acute Injuries (Trauma)
Accidents happen! Whether it’s a fall, sports injury, or sudden movement, trauma to the shoulder can result in tears or strains in the rotator cuff or other structures. Immediate pain and limited movement often follow an injury like this.
How Physiotherapy Helps:
Once the initial healing has begun, physiotherapy can help restore range of motion and strength. Manual therapy techniques can also reduce pain and improve recovery time.
5. Other Causes
Other causes of shoulder pain can include conditions like frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis), shoulder impingement, or osteoarthritis. These conditions often involve stiffness, limited mobility, or inflammation that can make daily tasks difficult.
How Physiotherapy Helps:
In these cases, Physiotherapists focus on improving mobility, strengthening surrounding muscles, and preventing future flare-ups through a tailored treatment plan.
How Physiotherapy Diagnoses & Treats Shoulder Pain
Diagnosing the true cause of shoulder pain is the first step to effective treatment. Physiotherapists at ĀLow Mobile Physio conduct thorough assessments, which include checking posture, movement patterns, muscle strength, and range of motion to figure out the underlying issue.
Once we’ve identified the cause, we’ll create a personalized treatment plan to relieve pain, restore movement, and strengthen the shoulder. This may include manual therapy, exercises, postural correction, and ergonomic advice to ensure long-term recovery.
Don’t Let Shoulder Pain Hold You Back!
Shoulder pain doesn’t have to rule your life. Whether it’s from muscle weakness, repetitive strain, or injury, Physiotherapy can help you heal and get back to doing what you love. If you’re dealing with shoulder pain, don’t wait—book an appointment with us today and let’s get you on the road to recovery!
For in home visits please call 604-861-3454
Warm regards,
Ashleigh✨
References:
- Mayo Clinic. “Rotator Cuff Injuries.”
- Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 2016.
- The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 2019.
- Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 2019.
