Persistent shoulder pain: causes and treatment

The Shoulder

Here at Monkstown Movement Clinic we treat all types of muscle and joint pain. These range from neck and pain pain to achy knees, dodgy ankles and troublesome shoulders. The shoulder can be a particularly tricky area. This is because it has lots of movement but not much stability. A simple way of classifying shoulder pain can be to put it into one of 3 categories: stiff, unstable or weak. Also, pain can occur both acutely and over time through age and overuse.

Stiff shoulders

These can include arthritis and frozen shoulder. They typically affect people aged 40-60. In these cases, the patient can lose mobility and experience pain, often over time. To treat cases like this requires a mobility and strengthening programme. For example, exercises to improve shoulder movement. And also, exercises to help perform required daily tasks. Such as lifting the kids or playing golf or tennis.

Unstable shoulders

These generally occur where someone’s arm is traumatically driven out and back. For instance, during a tackle in GAA or landing awkwardly from a fall. With this injury, allowing adequate rest and healing is crucial. After that, mobility and strengthening is again crucial.  Importantly, the patient’s prior level of activity may determine the extent of the rehab. For example, an athlete may require more work to do than a sedentary office worker.

Weak shoulders

These can encompass rotator cuff injuries. With this type of injury, pain can start with a pinch in the shoulder during certain movements. This can include putting your arm in a sleeve or reaching for a seatbelt. Often, the patient can do most things with little or no discomfort. Furthermore, they tend to be unable to say exactly when the problem first occurred. Patients frequently report, for example, being able to do back exercises in the gym but may struggle with bench press or overhead movements. As always, specific movement and strengthening strategies are required. In addition to this, how the shoulder moves as a whole, is hugely relevant.

Self-management

At MMC Physio we want our patients to understand their injury and be in a good place to self manage where possible. To start with try these simple tips:

1. Avoid pain. “No pain, no gain” generally wont get you very far. Pain is a symptom. Your body is giving you warning signs. Listen to it. What is pain? (learn more here)
2. Keep moving. The tendency is to back off and rest. However, to restore movement, it is best to move little and often.
3. Use analgesia as needed. If you cannot function, you may need some help. Simple analgesia or pain relief medication can get you moving better.

Chartered Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy can help with your rehab. As experts in movement, we can identify the cause of the problem and advise on how to best to move. By helping to lengthen short, tight muscles and strengthen weak ones, we can get you on the road to recovery asap.

If you are experiencing shoulder pain or any problem that is stopping you from moving the way you would like to, feel free to get in touch. We’d be happy to help.

MMC Physio 2020