What are The Symptoms of Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain is a common problem that can affect anyone, regardless of age or activity level. The shoulder is a complex joint that allows you to move your arm in many directions, but also makes it vulnerable to injury and wear and tear. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the possible causes of shoulder pain, how to recognize the signs of a serious injury, and how physiotherapy can help you recover and prevent future problems.

Causes of shoulder pain:

There are many possible causes of shoulder pain, but some of the most common ones are:

Rotator cuff injuries: The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint and help you lift and rotate your arm. The rotator cuff can tear from a sudden trauma, such as a fall or a collision, or from overuse, such as repetitive overhead movements. A rotator cuff tear can cause pain, weakness, reduced range of motion, and difficulty sleeping on the affected side.

Arthritis: Arthritis is a condition that causes inflammation and degeneration of the joints. The most common type of arthritis that affects the shoulder is osteoarthritis, which occurs when the cartilage that cushions the joint wears away over time. This can lead to pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility of the shoulder.

Bursitis: Bursitis is an inflammation of the bursa, a small fluid-filled sac that reduces friction between the bones and soft tissues in the shoulder. Bursitis can occur from overuse, injury, infection, or underlying conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Bursitis can cause pain, swelling, warmth, and tenderness in the shoulder area.

Impingement syndrome: Impingement syndrome is a condition where the rotator cuff tendons or the bursa get squeezed or pinched by the bones of the shoulder. This can happen when the arm is raised above the head repeatedly or for prolonged periods, such as in sports like swimming or tennis. Impingement syndrome can cause pain, inflammation, and reduced range of motion in the shoulder.

Dislocation: Dislocation is when the head of the upper arm bone pops out of the socket of the shoulder blade. This can happen from a strong force or impact to the shoulder, such as a fall or a blow. Dislocation can cause severe pain, swelling, bruising, deformity, and inability to move the arm.

Signs of a serious shoulder injury:

Some shoulder pain may be mild and temporary, but some may indicate a more serious injury that requires medical attention. Some signs that you should see a doctor for your shoulder pain are:

- Sudden and sharp pain that occurs during or after an activity or trauma.

- Decreased range of motion or difficulty moving your arm in certain directions.

- Pain along with swelling, pressure, or bruising in the shoulder area.

- Constant pain or pain that continues to worsen over time.

- Pain that prevents you from falling asleep or wakes you up at night.

- No pain relief after several days of rest, icing, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications.

Physiotherapy treatment for shoulder pain:

Physiotherapy is an effective way to treat many types of shoulder pain and restore function and mobility to your joint. A physiotherapist will assess your condition and design a personalized treatment plan that may include:

Manual therapy: This involves using hands-on techniques to manipulate and mobilize the joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the shoulder area. This can help reduce pain, improve blood flow, increase range of motion, and promote healing.

Exercises: Your physiotherapist will prescribe specific exercises to strengthen and stretch the muscles around your shoulder joint. This can help improve stability, flexibility, posture, and coordination. Exercises may also include functional movements that mimic your daily activities or sports.

Modalities: Your physiotherapist may use various modalities to enhance your recovery process. These may include heat therapy, cold therapy, ultrasound therapy, electrical stimulation therapy, laser therapy, acupuncture, dry needling, or taping. These modalities can help reduce pain, inflammation, swelling, muscle spasms, and scar tissue formation.

Education: Your physiotherapist will educate you on how to prevent further injury to your shoulder by teaching you proper posture, ergonomics, lifting techniques, and self-care strategies. They will also advise you on how to modify your activities and gradually return to your normal level of function.

Conclusion:

Shoulder pain is a common complaint that can have various causes and symptoms. If you have persistent or severe shoulder pain that affects your quality of life, you should seek professional help from a physiotherapist. Physiotherapy can help you recover from your injury and prevent future problems by providing you with effective treatment options and education. Contact your local physiotherapist today and get started on your path to a pain-free shoulder.