The Shoulder is a complex collection of 4 joint in the body Based on the amount of movements required, the shoulder is naturally an unstable joint hence why injuries around the shoulders are very common.

Shoulder Anatomy and relation to shoulder injuries

The Shoulder is a complex collection of 4 joint in the body, these include: 

• Acromioclavicular joint (AC Joint)
• Sternoclavicular Joint (SC joint) 
• Glenohumeral Joint (GH Joint) 
• Scapulothoracic Articulation

Based on the amount of movements required, the shoulder is naturally an unstable joint hence why injuries around the shoulders are very common. Common injuries we typically see include rotator cuff injuries, shoulder impingement, sub-acromial bursitis, frozen shoulder (Adhesive capsulitis), and dislocations from contact sports and falls. The shoulder is heavily reliant on the muscles to provide stability in the motions that the body requires. Therefore, the shoulder needs to have adequate strength through the muscles to reduce muscular bias which can pull the shoulders away from the appropriate position and place unnecessary stress on other structures which can cause and exacerbate injuries and pain. 

Shoulder pain and the role of physiotherapy/myotherapy

As the shoulder is comprised of many joints and muscles to provide movement. Pain and dysfunction of the shoulder is usually multifactorial meaning there may be a collection of the joints and muscles which are causing the problem. Your Physiotherapist/Myotherapist may need to assess multiple areas of the shoulder, in different positions and ranges to identify the most likely causations and risk factors for the shoulder pain based on your sport, work, and daily activities. We then use the information to create a plan on what muscles may need releasing through manual therapy and stretching, and which muscles need strengthening to reposition the shoulder and improve the function which may be causing pain. 

Treatment for shoulder conditions can vary based on age, previous history, and daily activities. A combination of exercise intervention and manual therapy such as soft tissue massage, dry needling, and stretching techniques have shown to be very effective in increasing strength, decreasing pain, as well as improving the range and function of the shoulder. 

Written by Mo Bhatnagar BHSc. (Clinical Myotherapy) 

References  

1. 1. Go, S., & Lee, B. (2016). Effects of manual therapy on shoulder pain in office workers. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 28(9), 2422-2425. doi: 10.1589/jpts.28.2422
   2. Pieters, L., Lewis, J., Kuppens, K., Jochems, J., Bruijstens, T., Joossens, L., & Struyf, F. (2020). An Update of Systematic Reviews Examining the Effectiveness of Conservative Physical Therapy Interventions for Subacromial Shoulder Pain. Journal Of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 50(3), 131-141. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2020.8498