Shoulder Pain Physiotherapy at Sydney Physio Clinic
There are many common causes of shoulder pain. Therefore it is crucial to make an accurate diagnosis regarding the origin of the pain. Doing so enables the appropriate treatment to be targeted at the root cause. A shoulder pain physio can help you get to the bottom of your problem. Providing the treatment, and giving you the tools to become pain free again.
The Shoulder Is An Unstable Joint
The shoulder is a relatively unstable joint. The bony arrangement of the shoulder is designed to allow significant range of movement of the upper limb. As a result the shoulder relies heavily on muscles, tendons, ligaments, joint capsule, and the labrum to provide additional stability. Several shoulder problems a shoulder pain physio will see are caused by breakdown of these soft tissues. Breakdown either through traumatic injury, or excessive use and overload.
Common Causes Of Shoulder Pain Seen At Sydney Physio Clinic
Rotator Cuff Tears: Rotator cuff disorders and bursitis is a very common cause of shoulder pain. Bursitis occurs when the bursa, a small fluid-filled sac that helps protect tissues in the shoulder joint, becomes inflamed. Occurring commonly in sports or by jobs and hobbies overusing the shoulder involving frequent overhead postures.
Tendinopathy: Rotator cuff or the biceps tendon tendinopathy is another common cause of shoulder pain. This can be the result of inflamed tendons or tendon sheaths. As well as tendons becoming pinched or impinged by moving parts in and around the shoulder. And tears to the tendon themselves. Tendon pathology can be caused by participation in various sports, occupations, and hobbies. As well as traumatic incidents including simply falling on an outstretched hand (or onto the elbow).
Shoulder Arthritis: Although shoulder arthritis is less common than the other large joints the knee and hip. Osteoarthritis caused by “wear and tear” on the shoulder can be a cause of significant shoulder pain. Sydney Physiotherapists are frequently involved in the conservative management of patients complaining of shoulder pain due to shoulder arthritis. At Sydney Physio Clinic our team are committed to improving relieving your pain and restoring function capacity.
Frozen Shoulder: Often called ‘adhesive capsulitis,’ is a common condition that leads to extreme stiffness of the joint. Movement of the shoulder becomes very restricted with a frozen shoulder, and typically in the early stages can be very painful. A characteristic of adhesive capsulitis is night pain and significant disruption to sleep. As lies true with many other causes of shoulder pain, accurate diagnosis is crucial to ensure appropriate management. Seeing a Sydney Physiotherapy Clinic physiotherapist ensure that you have expert level advice on managing your shoulder pain.
Traumatic Shoulder Injuries
Dislocation and Separation: Shoulder dislocation as well as acromioclavicular joint separation injuries are common causes of shoulder injuries. These injuries are usually caused during sports, or associated with falls. Dislocation and AC joint sprains tend to occur in younger individuals due to activity choices at younger ages. An AC joint injury and a glenohumeral dislocation are distinctly different injuries, as a result, they are each managed very differently. Dislocation can ultimately lead to instability and resulting functional limitation. Instability in the shoulder causing shoulder pain can be the result of previous dislocation/s, congenital laxity in the joint, or an acquired condition from repetitive loading. Multiple potential causes for any instability around the shoulder make the need for correct management for the outset vital.
Torn Labrum: Labral injuries are common and can occur as the result of a traumatic event, repetitive overload, or a more gradual degenerative condition. SLAP lesions are the most common type of labral tear seen in our CBD physio clinic. A SLAP tear and can be caused by falling onto an outstretched hand. And is commonly associated with sustaining a shoulder dislocation as well as repetitive loading such as throwing actions.
A Shoulder Pain Physio Can Help With Getting The Correct Diagnosis
The treatment of any shoulder pain depends heavily on the cause of the problem. As such, it is of utmost importance that the cause of any complaint needing shoulder pain physio treatment is understood prior to embarking on a treatment program. Physiotherapists at Sydney Physio Clinic use different treatment techniques and modalities (depending on your situation) to increase strength, regain mobility, and help return patients to pre-injury level. Our goal is to do this both safely and quickly.
Diagnosis and Management of Shoulder Pain
As a physiotherapist, diagnosing and managing shoulder pain is a crucial part of our practice. The first step is a thorough examination to identify the underlying cause of the pain. Causes which may include rotator cuff injuries, impingement syndrome, fracture or dislocation, and frozen shoulder.
Once we have established a diagnosis, we work with our patients to develop a personalized treatment plan. Treatment may include exercises to improve mobility and strength, manual therapy, and modalities such as dry needling or shockwave therapy. We also provide education posture and ergonomics to help prevent future injury. With proper diagnosis and management, patients can usually achieve significant improvement in their shoulder pain and return to their normal activities.
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