Shoulder Impingement treatment
What is Shoulder Impingement?
Shoulder impingement is a broad term often used to describe any pain around the shoulder. It is a common diagnosis and source of shoulder pain that affects men and women. Many structures within the shoulder could be the source of your shoulder pain. Sometimes the muscles that move the shoulder and arm are involved. Other structures that could contribute to shoulder impingement and pain are the ”joint cushioning pads” or, the shape of the shoulder bones itself. Because there are so many different sources of shoulder impingement pain. Therefore it is sometimes hard to determine exactly how common it truly is. However, we do know that the likelihood of shoulder impingement increases with age, especially over the age of 40.
Other contributing factors include:
- Age
- Genetics
- Tendon quality
- Shoulder joint movements
- Posture
- Muscle function
- Bone structure and position
Symptoms of Shoulder Pain
When it comes to shoulder impingement, you usually have persistent shoulder pain. This pain would develop with no direct traumatic injury to account for the pain. It gradually worsens and is sometimes difficult to determine exactly when your pain started. The pain is worse when your arm is outreaching up just past shoulder height. You may experience a decreased overall movement of your arm/shoulder. You may also find it difficult to lie on the affected shoulder. These are some tests your physio will perform prior to Shoulder Impingement treatment.
Treatment
Shoulder Impingement treatment will require assistance from a physiotherapist. Firstly, they will help relieve your shoulder pain. Secondly, they get you back to pain-free movement. Different shoulder structures are involved in different people. It is therefore important that your treatment program is specific and tailored to you. There are many tests that a physiotherapist can perform. These tests will help determine how to best treat your shoulder impingement. After a thorough assessment, your physiotherapist may treat several areas including:
- Neck
- Shoulder joint
- Shoulder blade
- Mid back muscles
- Neck/mid back spine
- Rotator cuff muscles (muscles that primarily move your arm)
- Other muscles around the front, side and back of the shoulder
- Mobility exercises
- Manual therapy of the neck, shoulder or back
- Posture corrections
- Stretching
- Strengthening
- Addressing muscular imbalances and control
- Taping techniques
- Dry needling
- Electrical stimulation
Shoulder Impingement treatment is easy if you have the right physio! Don’t suffer longer than you have to. Book in with our physiotherapist today.