Shoulder injuries are very common and can affect anyone, whether you’re an athlete, have a physical job, or simply getting older. The shoulder is a highly mobile joint, but this also makes it more prone to injury. From everyday activities to repetitive movements, there are many ways we can hurt our shoulders, and when we do, it can really limit what we’re able to do.
Common Causes of Shoulder Injuries
Rotator Cuff Tears: The rotator cuff is a group of muscles that help keep your shoulder stable. These muscles can tear either from overuse, like repeated lifting or throwing, or just as part of getting older.
Frozen Shoulder: This condition causes the shoulder to become stiff and painful, making it hard to move. Sometimes, it can happen after the shoulder has been immobilised for a long time, like after surgery, or it can develop without any obvious cause.
Shoulder Impingement: Impingement occurs when part of the shoulder blade presses against the muscles or tendons in your shoulder, causing pain. This often happens with activities that involve lifting your arms overhead.
Dislocations and Instability: A sudden impact or trauma can cause the shoulder joint to dislocate. Once this happens, the shoulder can become unstable, making it more likely to dislocate again.
Arthritis: Over time, the shoulder joint can wear down, causing pain and stiffness due to arthritis. This is more common as we age, but it can affect anyone who has used their shoulder heavily over the years.
How Physiotherapy Can Help
If you’ve hurt your shoulder, physiotherapy can be incredibly helpful in speeding up recovery and helping you get back to normal. Physiotherapists are experts in helping people recover from injuries, and they use a variety of techniques to address different shoulder issues.
Managing Pain: Physiotherapists can help relieve pain through treatments like massage, heat or ice, and sometimes electrical stimulation to reduce inflammation.
Improving Movement: After an injury, your shoulder might feel stiff or hard to move. Physiotherapists will give you exercises to gradually improve your range of motion, helping the joint become flexible again.
Building Strength: Strengthening the muscles around the shoulder, especially the rotator cuff, is key to stabilising the joint and preventing future injuries.
Correcting Posture: Many shoulder problems are caused or made worse by poor posture, especially if you spend a lot of time sitting or working at a desk. Physiotherapists can help you adjust your posture to reduce strain on your shoulder.
Preventing Future Injuries: Physiotherapy doesn’t just focus on recovery—it’s also about preventing the same injury from happening again. Your physiotherapist will teach you proper techniques for everyday movements or exercises to protect your shoulder in the future.
In short, physiotherapy is an effective, hands-on approach to dealing with shoulder injuries. By reducing pain, restoring movement, and strengthening the joint, physiotherapy can help you recover faster and avoid further problems.
References:
Burbank, K. M., Stevenson, J. H., Czarnecki, G. R., & Dorfman, J. (2008). Chronic shoulder pain: Part I. Evaluation and diagnosis. American Family Physician, 77(4), 453-460.
Kuijpers, T., van Tulder, M. W., van der Heijden, G. J., Bouter, L. M., & van der Windt, D. A. (2004). Costs of shoulder pain in primary care consulters: a prospective cohort study in The Netherlands. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 5(1), 12.
Hopman, K., & Lukersmith, S. (2015). Role of physiotherapy in managing musculoskeletal shoulder pain. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 45(3), 165-173.
Ginn, K. A., Cohen, M. L., & Herbert, R. D. (1997). Conservative treatment of shoulder impingement syndrome: randomised clinical trial. BMJ, 314(7093), 95-98.
Luime, J. J., Koes, B. W., Hendriksen, I. J., Burdorf, A., Verhagen, A. P., & Miedema, H. S. (2004). Prevalence and incidence of shoulder pain in the general population; a systematic review. Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology, 33(2), 73-81.
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