Raise your hands up if you have a sore shoulder… and if you can’t you might want to get your shoulder checked out.
Shoulder pain when it starts can often be easy to put to the side and forgotten about; especially when looking after others, working or catching up on some home renovations. Shoulder pain can progressively increase and before you know it, there can be referred pain down your arm, neck, back and even contributes to headaches. 
The shoulder is a very complex anatomical structure, that is extremely mobile, made up of ligaments, tendons, bones, muscles and bursae. Due, to how much the shoulder moves it can place a lot of stress on the surrounding tissues, and over time this can cause pain occurring inside the shoulder capsule.
Image reference: https://www.joionline.net/trending/content/shoulder-anatomy
Types of shoulder pain:
Inflammation of the shoulder capsule: Inflammation of the shoulder joint can be due from injuring the joint or from medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Frozen shoulder is from inflammation or thickening of the tendons that lead to the shoulder being “stuck” or “frozen” in place.
Inflammation of bursa: This is a very common issue in the shoulder. These small fluid sacs that lubricate surrounding structures so that friction does not occur. An inflamed bursa typically arises from repetitive/overuse movements.
Injuries and Sprains: Probably the most common cause of shoulder related pain. These can arise from sporting injuries, repetitive movements, falls and work ergonomics.
Image reference: Johns Hopkins Medicine https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/shoulder-arthritis
Risk Factors
- Age: As you get older your risk of rotator cuff injuries increases.
- Manual Jobs: Occupations such as building, painting, or jobs with repetitive work loads, over time, can damage the rotator cuff.
Warning Signs of a shoulder injury:
- Is your shoulder stiff? Can you rotate your arm in all the normal positions?
- Does it feel like your shoulder could pop out or slide out of the socket?
- Do you lack the strength in your shoulder to carry out your daily activities?
How to help:
Here are some simple things you can do to help mitigate the severity of shoulder pain:
- Avoid repetitive overhead lifting and working
- Use a heat pack over your sore shoulder for 15-20 minutes
Shoulder Exercise (see image)
Take your hand out in front of you and place it up against the wall.- Walk your fingers all the way up the wall as high as you can go.
- Make sure your shoulders are pointing straight towards the wall and you do not hunch your shoulders.
- Walk your fingers back down to the starting position.
(If this exercise causes any pain, please stop the exercise immediately)
Image reference: Physitrack https://www.physitrack.com.au/
If your pain persists it is worth booking an appointment and formulating a treatment plan with your local osteopath. To book an appointment at Bodywell Healthcare with your local osteopath CLICK HERE .
If you have any questions or anything you would like to discuss, please give us a call on 03 9717 1200 or via email info@bodywellhealthcare.com.au