Common Causes of Shoulder Pain, Treatments & Diagnosis – Kingaroy Chiropractic

Shoulder pain is a common problem that most people will experience throughout their life. 

For those who are younger, shoulder pain is more likely a result of an accident or injury. However, as you age, natural wear and tear occurs in the shoulder joint and the rotator cuff tendons (small group of muscles that keep your shoulder in place). Over time, this wear and tear may result in persistent pain. 

The good news is that with appropriate treatment shoulder pain will improve and you can get back to doing the things you enjoy.

What Does it Feel Like

There are many causes of shoulder pain, and they all have their own unique set of symptoms.

Depending on what is causing your shoulder pain you may experience the one of more of the following:

• Pain deep in the shoulder joint, in the back or the front of the shoulder and the upper part of the arm.
• You may have a ‘catching pain’ when moving your shoulder.
• Reduced movement, and pain or an ache when moving your shoulder.
• Weakness of the shoulder/upper arm.
• Sensation of the joint slipping in and out of the joint socket, or the shoulder can become completely dislocated
• Sensations of pins and needles (tingling) and burning pain.

Common Causes of Shoulder Pain

The most common cause of shoulder pain is a result of an irritation or injury to your rotator cuff muscles or the bursa in your shoulder.

Let’s talk more about some of these

Bursitis

Bursa are small, fluid-filled sacs that are located in joints throughout the body, including the shoulder. They act as cushions between bones and the overlying soft tissues and help reduce friction between the gliding muscles and the bone.

Sometimes, excessive use of the shoulder leads to inflammation and swelling of the bursa between the rotator cuff and part of the shoulder blade known as the acromion. The result is a condition known as subacromial bursitis.

Bursitis often occurs in association with rotator cuff tendinopathy. The many tissues in the shoulder can become inflamed and painful. Many daily activities, such as combing your hair or getting dressed, may become difficult.

Tendinopathy

Rotator cuff tendinopathy is when a tendon (a cord that connects muscle to bone) in your shoulder has tiny tears in it or is inflamed and hurts. It’s usually caused by overuse or general wear and tear. Tendinopathy and bursitis present similarly so you may find that you have trouble with overhead activities and daily tasks such as combing your hair or getting dressed

Tendon Tears

Splitting and tearing of tendons may result from acute injury or degenerative changes in the tendons due to age, long-term overuse, wear and tear, or a sudden injury. These tears may be partial (not torn all the way through) or may be complete tears. In most cases of complete tears, the tendon is pulled away from its attachment to the bone. Rotator cuff and biceps tendon injuries are among the most common of these injuries in the shoulder.

Impingement

Shoulder impingement occurs when the top of the shoulder blade (acromion) puts pressure on the underlying soft tissues when the arm is lifted away from the body. As the arm is lifted, the acromion rubs, or “impinges” on, the rotator cuff tendons and bursa. This can lead to bursitis and tendinopathy, causing pain and limiting movement.

What Should I Do

Because the shoulder joint is complex and there could be several reasons for your pain its best to get assessed by a physiotherapist to help manage your pain and help restore full function of your shoulder. A physiotherapist Kingaroy will help manage you shoulder pain through a combination of hands-on treatment and exercise therapy. In cases of severe shoulder injuries, your physiotherapist will help refer you to get further investigations done and recommend that a specialist be involved in your recovery.

Until you can get assessed its best to avoid any movements or activities that cause pain, manage your pain through pain relief and try hot or cold packs for some added pain relief.

At Kingaroy chiropractic we are passionate about providing the best possible healthcare for the South Burnett community. We are committed to helping our clients achieve great health and lifelong wellness through a range of therapies including chiropractic therapy, physiotherapy, remedial massage and nutrition.

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