Shoulder Pain
Painful shoulders are usually caused by injuries affecting the joint, muscles, tendons, ligaments or cartilage of the shoulder. There is generally an imbalance in the physical mechanics of the shoulder in which tightness, inflammation or lack of strength and stability can cause pain.
Symptoms of shoulder pain include;
- Sharp pain, dull ache or throbbing sensation
- Pins and needles that can travel as far down to the elbow, wrist or hand.
- Shoulder and neck tightness, leading to limited movement.
- Weakness, especially at the end range of movement
- Pain with repeated activity from work or sport
- Pain with moving the arm forward or out to the side especially beyond 90 degrees
- Pain during or after sleeping on the affected side of shoulder pain
- Headaches & neck stiffness
Diagnosis
Your mobile physiotherapy session will involve a series of questions regarding your pain to obtain a better understanding of your condition and help provide an accurate assessment. Depending on your symptoms and feedback your physio will conduct a physical, orthopaedic and/or neurological examination of the shoulder and surrounding structures.
You may be asked to perform specific range of motion and muscle strength tests. Where the pain is felt, both at rest and during movement of the shoulder, provides important clues as to the cause of the shoulder pain.
Treatment
Regardless of the cause, treatment of the shoulder complex requires an accurate diagnosis of the problem. Mobile physiotherapy will be able to assist you with appropriate shoulder range of motion, strengthening and rehabilitation exercises during your recovery. You can expect some of the following from your physio;
- Diagnosis and explanation of your specific shoulder condition
- Pain management
- Exercises to restore function and range of movement of the shoulder
- Massage / joint mobilization and manipulation
- Stretching and strengthening to prevent further weakness & recurrence
- Ice or heat therapy
- Dry needling
- Helpful advice on movements to promote and avoid
- Referral if necessary (such as anti-inflammatory medication from your GP)
Post-Operative Rehabilitation
If you’ve had surgery on your shoulder, our mobile physios can come to you to provide expert rehabilitation. All orthopaedic surgery requires rehabilitation to allow for adequate recovery from surgery. Physiotherapy will be able to guide and progress activity levels without compromising the surgery undertaken.
Your physiotherapist will prioritize swelling and pain management during the initial stages post-surgery. This is important as it reduces any negative effects on the surrounding muscles and is followed with bio-mechanical retraining, strengthening and ultimately a return to your daily function or chosen activity.
