Impingement syndrome of the shoulder is a condition in which the muscles and tendons of the shoulder experience inflammation due to repetitive stress from the bones on the soft tissue.
The shoulder joint consists of the:
- Upper arm bone (humerus)
- Shoulder blade (scapula)
- Collar bone (clavicle).
The shoulder has several muscles including the rotator cuff which is most often associated with shoulder impingement.
What Causes Shoulder Impingement?
The shoulder is unique in that the muscles sit beneath the bones and even travel between them. When we move the arm overhead, reach behind our back or rotate the arm counter clockwise toward the midline we are causing the bones to move around the muscles.
If we don’t have proper posture or we do these repetitive motions without the proper strength, the bones can rub on the muscles and tendons causing them to feel compressed and can cut off the blood supply.
When the muscles and correlated tendons get compressed this sensation often feels like they are being pinched and this causes inflammation. It is this inflammation that then makes the shoulder:
- Feel tight
- Result in pain
- Have restricted range of motion
The compression of these muscles and tendons can also cause restricted blood flow which then causes the tendon to fray like a rope.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Shoulder Impingement
- Shoulder Pain
- Ache at rest or pain with sleeping
- Pain with shoulder movements overhead
- Pain radiating down the shoulder and into the arm
- Shoulder Weakness or loss of strength
- Inability to reach overhead
- Pain when reaching into a cabinet
- Inability to reach behind your back
- Pain putting a belt on or hooking bra strap
Treating Shoulder Pain
It is important to address shoulder pain immediately because of the likelihood that the condition will worsen if not taken care of by professionals. Most shoulder pain can be resolved through postural education and shoulder and mid back strengthening.
Too often, people experience shoulder pain and immediately think that surgery is needed and they either jump to see an orthopedic or they ignore the problem because they don’t want surgery.
Surgery is not the answer for shoulder impingement and there are ways that physical therapy can help. When you schedule an evaluation with us, you will receive:
- A detailed Evaluation
- Education on your injury/pain
- Massage/deep tissue therapy
- Detailed instruction from professionals on stretches and exercises to improve flexibility, strength and posture/gait.
- A home exercise program that includes stretches and strengthening exercises
By Shannon O’Donnell, MS, ATC
