Shoulder Pain

Early symptoms

Mild reduction in mobility in the shoulder is a warning sign and shouldn’t be overlooked. If you are dealing with consistent mobility issues or persistent pain it is important to seek professional help to address the issue and resolve it before it gets worse.

Anatomy

Our shoulders girdle consist of three bones called the humerus, scapula and clavicle. The shoulder joint is surrounded by a protective capsule.

Picture of shoulder anatomy

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Osteopathy and Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain is commonly treated by Osteopaths. It can be caused by an acute injury during a sporting activity or more chronically by habitual postural changes resulting from spending long hours working or sitting in a slouched position. Using a computer that isn’t properly set up for you will most likely have you reaching forward as you type causing you to round your shoulders as you crane your neck forward to be closer to the screen. Sitting in this way day in and day out puts a strain on your shoulders, neck and upper back which accumulates over time, creating bad posture and pain in the area.

When appropriate osteopathic treatment can complement and even replace drugs or surgery. In this way it contributes significantly to standard health care.

Diagnosing Shoulder Pain

At Move Easy Clinic we strongly believe that accurately diagnosing the cause of any ailment is essential to providing long lasting and effective treatment. When it comes to shoulder pain, the root cause of your pain may very well be coming from neck or arm. That is why we always look for both a local diagnosis, i.e. what is hurting and a more global diagnosis which is driving the problem. In shoulder quite often posture is involved in the shoulder problem.

How we Treat Shoulder Pain at Move Easy Clinic

Mobility restrictions

If shoulders move out of alignment this can lead to issues such as inflammation, pain, and muscle spasms. When this happens, gentle Osteopathic adjustments to your shoulders can be performed to restore normal alignment. Having good mobility in your upper back and neck is also very important for the shoulder to function properly. If you are sensitive to or dislike manual adjustments there are alternative treatment modalities that are effective as well.

Picture of women with shoulder pain.

Instability

Apart from mobility restriction another common problem of the shoulder is stability. Stability issues often arise from overuse or from lack of mobility in for example the spine. The shoulder then has to overcompensate for the spine which causes irritation.

The benefits of seeking Osteopathic treatment for shoulders are:

  • Reduced pain
  • Reduced inflammation
  • Increased flexibility
  • Improved range of motion
  • Increased muscle strength and tone

These benefits are important not only for your short-term ease, but for preventing harm to your shoulders and surrounding body areas moving forward. Improvements in flexibility, motion, and muscle strength can lower your odds of falls, fractures, and sprains. The education you’ll gain from the process can also serve as preventive medicine, allowing you to maintain better posture and other benefits for the long term.