understanding Shoulder pain
The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body which means it’s the least stable. It’s prone to dislocations, strains, sprains, impingements, tears and is connected to the shoulder blade (scapula) that floats on top of the rib cage. Typically, this means that we want to stabilize a shoulder after an injury but want to maintain the range of motion. Traditionally, physical therapy approaches have mostly been to stabilize both the shoulder joint and the shoulder blade but this can lead to reduced range of motion. Our approach is to improve the mobility of the shoulder blade which will inevitably improve your ability to reach with more ease and confidence.
Below are some articles about shoulder pain that you might find helpful.
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The role of scapular dyskinesis on rotator cuff tears: a narrative review of the current knowledge
Authors: Diana Cabral Teixeira, Luís Alves, Manuel Gutierres
Publication: DOI: https://doi.org/10.1302/2058-5241.6.210043
Volume/Issue: Volume 6: Issue 10
Page Range: 932–940
Online Publication Date: 19 Oct 2021
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Short Summary:
This article reviews the relationship between scapular dyskinesis (SD), which is an abnormal movement or position of the shoulder blade, and rotator cuff tears (RCT), a common cause of shoulder pain. It emphasizes that SD can worsen shoulder function and symptoms in RCT patients and may either cause, result from, or compensate for the rotator cuff injury. Physical therapy, focusing on correcting scapular motion and muscle strength, is recommended as the first-line treatment for degenerative RCT, while surgery is reserved for severe or non-responsive cases. After surgery, rehabilitation must address SD to ensure better recovery and outcomes.
The Relationship Between Breathing Pattern Disorders and Scapular Dyskinesis
Authors: Brandon Yach, MS, ATC, CSCS, Shelley W. Linens, PhD, ATC
Publication: Athletic Training & Sports Health Care, 2018;11(2):63–70
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Short summary:
Improper breathing patterns, called breathing pattern disorders, are linked to abnormal movement of the shoulder blade (scapular dyskinesis). It found that issues with breathing may affect the arm's scapular function, possibly because breathing uses muscles that also help stabilize the shoulder blade. The study suggests that focusing on breathing patterns could improve shoulder health and rehabilitation outcomes. Clinicians are encouraged address breathing habits when treating shoulder problems.
Which Multimodal Physiotherapy Treatment Is the Most Effective in People with Shoulder Pain? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses
Authors: Maria Aguilar García 1, Ana González Muñoz 2, José Javier Pérez Montilla 2, Daniel Aguilar Nuñez 3, Dina Hamed Hamed 2, Leo Pruimboom 4, Santiago Navarro Ledesma 4,5,*
Publication: Healthcare (Basel). 2024 Jun 20;12(12):1234. doi:10.3390/healthcare12121234
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Short summary:
The study reviewed which combinations of treatments work best for reducing shoulder pain and disability. It found that exercise is the most important and effective treatment, particularly when it involves strengthening and improving flexibility in the shoulder muscles. Manual therapy, such as massage or joint mobilization, provided some benefits but was not consistently better than exercise alone.