Surrey Osteopathy for Shoulder Pain

Rotator Cuff is an umbrella term for the muscles and tendons that provide support to shoulder and arm movements. These muscles are used during a variety of complex movements. One of the primary motives of the rotator cuff is to keep the upper arm bone (humerus) well supported at the shoulder joint. 

Usually, rotator cuff injuries take place over time, with the main causes being

• Overuse / repetitive movements
• Muscle Imbalance
• Poor Training
• Trauma

These causes lead to tears within the muscle or tendons which either cause pain or cause scar tissue to build up over time. This creates a thickening at the site, which can lead to restriction of movement and pain.

Furthermore, people who regularly have their hands above their head, such as a painter or someone who lifts heavy weights regularly in an overhead motion, are susceptible to suffering from the rotator cuff injury. 

Rotator cuff injuries are severe, and if they go untreated for a long time, it can lead to a marked loss of movement. 

Bicipital Tendonitis was defined by inflammation in the upper bicep area of the arm. However, as we now know that there is very little inflammation present, we now prefer a term like Tendonpathy. There is a rod-like arrangement between the biceps and bones in the shoulder, which is also known as the long head of the tendon. Clinically It’s usually treated by medication and rest, but in severe cases, surgery is required, which is not considered to be the first option.

However, conservative treatment is nearly always considered the first route to follow. This is where your Osteopath can help, using a combination of hands-on treatment and specific exercises based on your presentation, including your body type, posture and level of injury.

While the pain associated with Bicipital Tendonitis is tough to manage, it’s usually a result of day to day activities, overuse or trauma, but it is treatable. As our bodies grow older, the tendons seem to wither and weaken as an outcome of overuse. This condition can be accompanied by several other shoulder problems like a rotator cuff injury or Acromio Clavicular Joint injury.

The Acromioclavicular Joint often referred to as the AC joint, is one of the four joints that make up the shoulder complex. The AC joint is the bridge between the collarbone and the shoulder blades at the front and upper part of the shoulder area. This joint can get injured due to blunt trauma to the clavicle, Osteoarthritis, or the dislocation of the shoulder. 

An AC joint sprain can also be caused by direct force to the tip of the shoulder, top of the shoulder, and while the arm is outstretched, e.g. from a fall onto the ground or during a rugby tackle.

If an injured shoulder is painful and stiff for months, sometimes even years, it may be a Frozen Shoulder. The condition can be treated with exercises and painkillers.

Reader more about Frozen Shoulder here.