Shoulder pain

The shoulder contains several joints that combine with tendons and muscles to allow a wide range of motion in the arm. This includes actions like scratching the head to throwing a softball over a distance. As it is a mobile juncture, the movements can cause instability of the soft tissue or bony structures in the shoulder, resulting in pain.
There will be pain when the shoulder moves, or in some cases all the time. This could be a temporary condition or it may continue to exist for a long time, which calls for medical diagnosis and treatment.

Common causes of Shoulder Pain

Painful conditions that limit the movement of the shoulders are pretty common. They can be caused by injuries that affect the shoulder joint, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. A shoulder is mobile and in action most of the time. Due to this reason, if there is a lack of due attention and care, the glenohumeral joint is prone to injuries. The nerves that connect the arm and shoulder originate from the neck and upper spine, and for this reason, conditions such as vertebral dysfunction can usually cause pain in this area.

Some common shoulder conditions include:

• Chronic shoulder pain and stiffness
• Shoulder muscle spasm and tension
• Rotator cuff disorders like tears and strains
• Frozen shoulder
• Arthritis of the shoulder

Diagnosis and Treatment

Physiotherapists at Mount Isa Physiotherapy will conduct a full physical, orthopedic, and neurological examination of the shoulder, cervical and thoracic spine. A wide range of motion and muscle tests are conducted. When there is a pain in the shoulder, at rest and with movement, it can be deemed as a precursor to shoulder pain.
When it comes to treatment at our clinic, the primary objective is to relieve the patient of pain and inflammation. Some doctors recommend non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve pain and swelling. However, applying ice packs on the painful regions can be equally helpful and beneficial. The nature of treatment depends on the graveness of the condition. When the shoulder heals, it is important to restore the muscle strength and movement of the shoulder. This will prevent further injury. Dry needling and shockwave therapy are other modalities of treatment that have proven effective at treating shoulder pain.
Our expert physiotherapists at Mount Isa Physiotherapy will be able to help you with the necessary muscle-strengthening and motion exercises for the long run. Advice and tips will be given to avoid recurrence of the condition in the future. To book an appointment with one of our physiotherapists, please give us a call or book online.