Do you suffer from chronic or sudden pain in your shoulder? Is this pain stopping you from proceeding in daily life and activities?  

Below is a list of typical shoulders injuries that are commonly seen:

• Rotator cuff tendinopathies or tears

1. Scapula-humeral rhythm dysfunction
2. Sub acromial impingement
3. Bursitis
4. Frozen shoulder (Adhesive capsulitis)

These conditions may lead to signs or symptoms such as pain, weakness, lack of movement, numbness, burning, aching or jamming.

How will Myotherapy help this?

As a Myotherapist, the primary goal is the assessment, treatment and management of musculoskeletal injuries. In regard to shoulder injuries and dysfunction, it is said that approximately 70% of the population will suffer from symptomatic shoulder pain at least once in their life time. Some of the primary causes of shoulder injuries are firstly; overuse injuries where the joint is left in a compromised position for long periods of time. Secondly, poor postural positioning, which can lead to instability of the joint and lastly, sudden impact which can cause trauma. The shoulder joint is one of the most vulnerable joints within the body. This is due to its wide range of motion which allows for a variety of complex movements, making it to be highly susceptible to injury. 

Providing knowledge of the mechanism of injury is essential in discovering the particular structures that are involved and how they may be compromised. Within your consultation subjective and objective examinations will take place and clinical findings will be noted in order to develop a treatment plan. Myotherapy includes the use of techniques such as Myofascial dry needling, Myofascial release, Trigger point therapy (DIP), Joint mobilisation and many others. 

Considering potential injury, two of the most common conditions are:

Scapula-humeral dysfunction: Subacromial Impingement

The Glenohumeral joint and the Scapula work together to abduct the shoulder away from the body. The Glenohumeral Joint plays a part in upwardly rotating the shoulder to 120 degrees, where the scapula completes the remaining 60 degrees. Throughout the population, it is highly common to see dysfunction in this movement when the Scapula is somewhat restricted and not moving through its full range of motion, leading to Subacromial Impingement where the joint can compress the tendons of the Supraspinatus and the long head of the Bicep, as well as the Bursa due to the decrease of Subacromial space. This is a frequent condition seen and with a successful treatment plan highlighting the area of dysfunction, progression can often be found instantly.

Rotator Cuff pathologies:

The Rotator Cuff is made up of 4 muscles; The Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres Major/Minor and lastly the Subscapularis. Together this group has the responsibility to stabilise the Humeral Head, as well as add rotational movement through the Gleno-Humeral joint of the shoulder. The Rotator Cuff is under high stress when the arm is in an overhead position, especially with an added load. Other alternatives to the Rotator Cuff withstanding injury can occur from falls and overuse. Through this, the muscle fibres can degenerate and eventually have decreased strength which can also come with age and repetitive movement. Signs of this occurring is an inability to lift the shoulder, pain and tenderness at the sight, or pressure placed at the tear. Depending on the severity of injury, a treatment plan can be formed with the inclusion of exercises to build stability and to be pain free. 

Myotherapy can be central to finding pain relief, increasing strength, range of motion and restoring overall function of the shoulder.