Health blog Category: Shoulder Pain
Discomfort reaching, typing or driving?
By Rachel Herrmann, DPT
The shoulder is a complex region of the body made up of three joints, four muscles of the rotator cuff and over 10 other muscles that attach around the bones/joints that make up the shoulder. This means there has to be a lot of body parts in good working condition in order to have a healthy and happy shoulder.
One common shoulder issue is called impingement. This is when the muscles of the rotator cuff become subjected to repeated pinching in between the rounded head of the humerus bone and the acromion process, a bony prominence from the shoulder blade that forms a roof over top of the ball and socket joint.
Swimming for the First Time Since Last Summer?
This time of year we see more and more patients complaining of shoulder pain and with good reason. Maybe you’ve been swimming for the first time since last summer or you’ve had time to toss the softball with your kids unlike other times of the year. Whatever the reason, shoulder injuries are common reasons people seek physical therapy.
Most shoulder pain occurs following repetitive movements. These cause wear and tear that breaks down the rotator cuff tendons.
Inflammation, Swelling or Weakness in the Upper Body?
Shoulder pain is one of the most common problems we among patients in physical therapy. It’s not just athletes like baseball players or swimmer either; we treat patients of all ages for shoulder problems. This condition can be the result of repetitive overuse of muscles in the shoulder, poor posture or traumatic injury to the shoulder.
Repetitive overuse of muscles can lead to tendinopathy or irritation of the tendons that attach at the shoulder.
Discomfort or Difficulty Reaching Up to Grab Dishes
You’ve probably just spend the past month or so sprucing up your garden, putting mulch out around your home, and/or performing other projects while the weather was a bit more tolerable. Now it’s summer, and you get to look at all of the sweat equity that you just finished putting in. You may also notice that your shoulder is talking to you.
It’s pretty common that different joints become sore after repetitive use over a short period of time. The shoulder is no exception. Your shoulder is a joint that is very mobile and is made up of multiple muscles which attach to the bones via tendons. Those muscles and tendons, the rotator cuff, are notorious for getting inflamed and becoming painful with overuse. In addition, as we get older, usually in our 50’s and 60’s, it is common to find arthritis in the joint. This is just from “wear and tear” over time. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Is it painful to reach overhead into the kitchen cabinet or to change a light bulb?
Head into Summer without Shoulder Pain!
Memorial Day has passed and pools are open signalling the unofficial start for summer for a lot of folks. Many children and teens in this area are getting ready to start, if they haven’t already, swim team practices and meets. So it’s timely to talk about shoulder injuries and make sure you and your kids know how to prevent pain and injury so you can enjoy your summer.
Not too surprising, shoulder pain is the most frequent orthopedic injury among swimmers.
Difficulty lifting weights, groceries or the kids?
Shoulder pain is a very common problem and can cause a lot of difficulty with many daily activities. People frequently come to physical therapy with different complaints involving the shoulder. The number one complaint: pain in and around the joint that in turn radiates up into the neck or down the arm. Some people also experience stiffness in the shoulder which causes difficulty moving the joint or overall weakness in the shoulder which can extend down into the hand.
Read full blogDo you perform lots of repetitive movements each day?
By Angie Austin, LPTA
Shoulder issues like pain and weaknesses are some of the most common reasons people seek help from a physical therapist. The design of the shoulder is a ball and socket joint. The rounded head of the humerus articulates with the cup like depression of the scapula, giving it a wide degree of movement. That’s why the shoulder is often easily injured. This joint is held together by an extensive group of muscles and ligaments that can be weakened by certain repetitive movements.
Is Putting on a Shirt Difficult?
By: Mike Bills, MS PT
The rotator cuff is responsible for the rotation and movement of the entire shoulder joint and all of your arm.
WHAT DOES A ROTATOR CUFF PROBLEM FEEL LIKE?
If you have ever had pain, soreness, stiffness, pinching, cracking or popping in your shoulder or in your upper arm, you most likely have had a rotator cuff problem. If you have ever felt stiffness, difficulty moving one arm as far as the other, weakness in your shoulder or arm, you have had a rotator cuff problem.
Planning to Hit the Pool this Summer?
Are you planning to hit the pool this summer? Swimmers’ shoulder is a very broad term used to refer to a wide range of painful overuse injuries that occur in swimmers. There are various parts of the shoulder that can be injured due to swimming stroke so symptoms can be anything from localized pain near the shoulder joint, to pain that spreads and travels up your shoulder and neck or pain that travels down into your arm.
Read full blogWhat is the function of the Rotator Cuff?
May 22nd 2018By Kieran Loving, ATC
Who hasn’t used their shoulder at some point? Shoulders are primary movers in daily living for the upper body. At the center of ALL shoulder injuries is the rotator cuff. People frequently say, “I think it’s my rotator cuff, I think I tore it.” But do you know what the rotator cuff is? Where is it located? Is it one muscle? Is it a joint? What exactly is the rotator cuff?
