Information ABout The Common Signs And Symptoms Of Shoulder Pain

Good shoulder function is essential for most sports and working tasks and any physiotherapy centre will testify to glenohumeral joint dysfunction causing a considerable loss to quality of life. The glenohumeral joint is a complex joint. It is known as a 'ball and socket' joint that depends heavily on the ligamentous structures along with muscles (known as the rotator cuff) to provide it stability and enable good function. It works very closely with the neck as well as the thoracic spine (upper back) to permit full and pain-free movement. The intricate structure of this area makes it very vunerable to injuries. There are numerous causes of glenohumeral joint discomfort which range from major injuries like dislocation and fracture, to strains in the rotator cuff and to pain which begins gradually and increases with time. The key to effective treatment is in accurate diagnosis. This can only be done through a detailed examination by way of a physiotherapist.

A physio will complete an assessment. This will include a comprehensive review of the shoulder joint which will include examining the range of motion as well as assessing the muscle groups. It will also involve a look at your neck and thoracic spine to make sure that your shoulder pain is not referred from here. During the evaluation, the physio brisbane will identify any compensatory movement patterns of the shoulder girdle. This is usually because of joint stiffness or muscle imbalances; where some muscle groups do an increased amout of work while others don't do enough, possibly because of decreased strength. It is important that any dysfunction issues are addressed so that the problem does not happen again.

Treatment methods will vary significantly and will be influenced by what is contributing to your shoulder pain. Mobilizing the glenohumeral joint as well as the thoracic spine will assist with loosening up the region and will permit greater range of motion. If your symptoms are referred from a different region then this will also be treated. Any tight structures around the shoulder and spine will be treated using massage, trigger point releasing, stretching exercises and possibly dry needling (acupuncture) by your physio brisbane to help ease any areas of tension and spasm. Strengthening any weak areas around the shoulder girdle is important, and that's why, your physiotherapy treatment plan will involve some sort of home exercise; either a strengthening program to improve the control of the shoulder or specific exercises to work on minimizing stiffness in the area..

In some cases it could be necessary to carry out investigations to help establish the exact reason behind the pain; This may involve an x-ray or a referral on to an orthopaedic specialist and will be discussed with you if need be

Injuries to the shoulder girdle can be some of the most complex and painful types of injuries. It is really important to see your trusted physiotherapist as soon as these types of injuries arise to ensure a successful treatment plan can be set in place to guarantee your quality of life goes back to normal as quickly as possible.