SHOULDER PAIN OVERVIEW
The shoulder is made up of several joints that combine with tendons and muscles to allow a wide range of motion in the arm. Because so many of us have rounded shoulders, muscle imbalances can increase instability and pressure, resulting in pain, including tendon inflammation (bursitis or tendinitis) or tendon tear, which can eventually lead to arthritis. For example, up to 47% of working class adults will experience shoulder pain.
Here are a few of the most common types of shoulder pain…
Bursitis
Bursa are small, fluid-filled sacs located in joints throughout the body. They act as cushions and help reduce friction between the muscles and bone. Sometimes, excessive use of the shoulder leads to inflammation and swelling of the bursa in the shoulder, which will lead to shoulder pain.
Tendonitis
Most tendonitis is a result of inflammation in the tendon and will either be acute or chronic. Acute tendonitis usually comes from motion, such as a baseball throw or tennis serve or golf swing. Chronic tendonitis can be from repetitive wear and tear on the shoulder joint or possibly arthritis.
The most commonly affected tendons in the shoulder are in the rotator cuff, which stabilizes and mobilizes your shoulder.
Tendon Tears
Splitting and tearing of the tendons in the shoulder are usually the result of an injury. But, it can also result from degenerative changes in the tendons due to old age and long-term overuse. These tears may be partial or may completely separate the tendon from its attachment to the bone. Rotator cuff and biceps tendon injuries are among the most common of these types of tears and injuries.
Impingement
Shoulder impingement is very common and occurs when the top of the shoulder blade affects the underlying tissues when the arm is lifted laterally from the body and puts pressure on the rotator cuff tendons and/or bursa.
Instability
Shoulder instability occurs when the head of the upper arm bone is forced out of the shoulder socket. This can happen as a result of a sudden injury or from general wear and tear over time. If the ligaments, tendons, and muscles around the shoulder become loose or torn, you will be at a very high risk of repeated dislocation and that can eventually lead to a significant amount of arthritis.
SYMPTOMS
Common symptoms of shoulder pain include swelling, discomfort moving the arm in certain ranges of motion, and general instability. If you experience “pins and needles” that won’t go away, extreme pain, no feeling in your shoulder at all, inability to move the shoulder at all, or if it’s hot or cold to the touch, you should seek medical attention as the there may be a tear or rupture in the tendons/ligaments or a dislocated/broken bone.
TREATMENT
It is important to realize that most of us have postural distortions and muscle imbalances related directly to the shoulders. We sit too much and hunch our shoulders forward, which eventually leads to a tight chest and weak back.
This causes all sorts of issues, but can lead to bursitis, tendonitis, instability and impingement in the shoulders. As such, it is absolutely essential to relieve the pressure ion the shoulders through proper rehab techniques in order to realign the shoulders, chest and back.
It is not surprising that a great deal of research has shown that rehab is the most effective way to heal a shoulder injury and eliminate chronic pain.
A high quality rehab program fixes the muscle imbalances and postural distortions that cause shoulder pain and dramatically improve strength, stability and healthy range of motion, which significantly reduces the risk of re-injury. (American Journal of Physiology, Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, Journal of Athletic Training, etc.)
The MALIN METHOD is an easy way to naturally eliminate shoulder pain at home, in 3 easy steps, guaranteed. It is an advanced rehab system that is easy to follow in 3 simple steps at home and you don’t need any equipment. If you’d like to learn more about it, please click The Shoulder System.
