Shoulder pain

Understanding Shoulder Pain and how Circus Health can help.

Shoulder pain is a common issue that affects people of all ages and can significantly impact daily activities and quality of life. Whether it's due to an injury, overuse, or an underlying condition, managing shoulder pain effectively is crucial for maintaining mobility and function.

Both Physiotherapy and chiropractic care are a key component in the treatment and management of shoulder pain, offering tailored solutions to address the root cause and promote healing.

Common Causes of Shoulder Pain:

1. Rotator Cuff Injuries/Tendinopathy:

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that stabilise the shoulder. Tears or strains in this area are common, especially in athletes or individuals engaged in repetitive overhead activities, but the tendons are also subject to wear and tear as we get older.

2. Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis):

This condition involves stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint, often developing gradually and worsening over time. It can be very painful and severely limit the range of motion.

3. Arthritis: Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis can affect the shoulder joint, leading to pain, swelling, and reduced mobility.

5. Bursitis:

Inflammation of the bursa, a fluid-filled sac that reduces friction in the shoulder joint, can cause significant pain and discomfort.  This can come on quite suddenly or due to a fall onto the shoulder.

6.  Calcific Tendonitis: 

Calcium deposits can occur within the tendons of the shoulder and cause acute pain.  Diabetes and gout are risk factors for this, and generally it appears in people aged 30-50 years old.  It can be managed conservatively, but sometimes an assessment by a shoulder specialist consultant is warranted, so it is important to have an assessment by a therapist as soon as possible is key.

How Physiotherapy & Chiropractic care can help:

Both Physiotherapy and chiropractic care plays a vital role in the treatment of shoulder pain. Here's how:

1. Assessment and Diagnosis:

A thorough assessment helps identify the specific cause of shoulder pain. This includes taking your medical history, and completing a physical examination.

2. Personalised Treatment Plans:

Based on the assessment, physiotherapists create individualised treatment plans that address the specific needs and goals of the patient.  This will be discussed with you so it is meaningful to you and your individual circumstances.

3. Manual Therapy:

Techniques such as joint mobilisations and soft tissue massage can help reduce pain, improve mobility, and promote healing.

4. Exercise Therapy:

Tailored exercises strengthen the shoulder muscles, improve flexibility and posture, and enhance overall function.  It will also help you reduce of the risk of future flare ups.

5. Education and Prevention:

Educating patients about proper posture, ergonomics, and activity modification helps prevent further injuries and promotes long-term shoulder health.