Shoulder pain is one of the most common neuromuscular complaints. People often wonder is it rotator cuff tendinitis, bursitis, frozen shoulder or arthritis that's causing their shoulder pains. Although most shoulder pains are localized to the shoulder complex, there are some conditions that can refer pain to the shoulder.
The most common causes of shoulder pain are myofascial pain and trigger point involving the infraspinatus and supraspinatus muscles. These muscles are part of the rotator cuff muscles. This kind of myogenic shoulder pain is often described as dull aches deep inside the shoulder. This shoulder pain is worse at night, especially when sleeping on the side. So people tend to avoid sleeping on the affected shoulder. Chronic shoulder pain from myofascial pain and trigger point can spread pain across the shoulder blade, along the back, outer side of the upper arm and down into the front with lifting or reaching.
Frozen shoulder syndrome or adhesive capsulitis is often the result of chronic rotator cuff injuries, myofascial pain and trigger point; not only the infraspinatus and supraspinatus are affected, but the deltoid, subscapularis and teres minor muscles are now involved. Frozen shoulder syndrome often involves the nondominant arm. During the preliminary stage of frozen shoulder syndrome, people with shoulder pain will often compensate and avoid certain movements. If it hurts to reach, they will avoid reaching too high or too far back. If lifting the arm causes shoulder pain, they will avoid doing it or compensate the movement by shrugging the shoulder or turning the arm while raising it. If the mobility is reduced by shoulder pain and avoidance, then the body will adapt to the situation. If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it. Their shoulder mobility is slowly being erased as many shoulder pain suffers continue to limit and guard their movements and avoid that pain barrier. By the time frozen shoulder syndrome takes full affect, the glenohumeral joint capsules and ligaments, the deltoid and rotator cuff muscles have shortened and ceased up. There’s hardly any pain-free range of motion left in the affected shoulder. Although frozen shoulder syndrome is self-limiting, without treatments and rehabs, it may take up to a year to regain some of the mobility.
Shoulder pain can also be due to pancoast tumor. Angina pectoris usually refers pain to the left shoulder. While liver diseases, duodenum inflammation, gallstones and gall bladder inflammation may refer pain to the right shoulder. And in many cases, neck pain also spreads across the top of both shoulders and along the shoulder blades.
Rotator cuff injuries
Rounded shoulders increase the risk of developing shoulder pains and rotator cuff injuries. When the shoulders are rounded forward by poor posture or tight pectoral muscles, the axis of movement is pulled off its center point within the glenohumeral joint and the joint is not properly aligned. This unhealthy position of the shoulders puts extra stress and strain to the infraspinatus muscle as it stabilizes the upper arm into the glenohumeral joint.
Many baseball players have shoulder pains and rotator cuff injuries. The infraspinatus muscle can easily be strained during the follow through phrase of throwing. Bodybuilders and people who focus too much on developing their chests and arms with weight training are also at risk of having shoulder pains and rotator cuff injuries. The powerful pectoral major and latissimus dorsi muscles keep the arms in an internal rotated position which put a lot of stress and strain to the infraspinatus and teres minor muscles.
Treating Shoulder Pains
Treatment of shoulder pains including frozen shoulder syndrome and rotator cuff injuries should begin with conservative care before cortisone injection. Unless the shoulder pains are from a labral tear or liagment laxity from repeated shoulder dislocations, in which case, arthroscopic surgery is needed; otherwise, chiropractic treatments are tremendously effective in treating shoulder pains including frozen shoulder syndrome and rotator cuff injuries.
Before treating any shoulder pain, I like to find out what causes the pain, stiffness, clicking or weakness, and where the problem is. After all, it may not be myofascial pain, frozen shoulder syndrome, bursitis or rotator cuff tendinosis.
I help provide health freedom to people living with shoulder pains including frozen shoulder and rotator cuff injuries. I help them stay healthy and active from shoulder pains with chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue treatments, specific rehab exercises and ergonomics best suited for their needs and comfort levels. If you’re ready to be healthy and feel good again, please call 604-782-2029 for your shoulder pain consultation.
If you have any worry about your shoulder pain, please fill out the form below. I’ll answer your questions ASAP. Cheers!