Shoulder complaints
The shoulder is a ball and socket synovial joint between the shoulder blade and the head of the humerus (the bone from shoulder to elbow). The shoulder joint can move in six different directions, and is the most movable ball socket joint of the body. Therefore, a good interaction and stabilization of the joint and surrounding soft tissue is necessary.
One really important muscle group for stability and smooth movements is the rotator cuff. It consists of four different muscles that connect via their tendons to the head of the humerus.
But also, different bursas play an important role for the functioning of the shoulder. If the tendons, muscles and bursas or other surrounding soft tissue are damaged, it’s difficult and/or painful to move your shoulder.
Each shoulder problem has its own symptoms which lead us to the specific diagnosis.
Symptoms of shoulder injuries
The most important symptoms of a shoulder complaint is pain. Shoulder pain can last a long time and come back regularly. An overview of some symptoms :
- Pain in the shoulder with radiation to the neck, elbow, fingers or/and shoulder blades
- Stiffness/difficulties to move your arm/shoulder
- A stabbing pain in the shoulder
- Snapping noise in and around the shoulder
- Pain, especially when lifting the arm (for example while getting dressed)
- Muscular tension between neck and shoulder
- Shoulder arthrosis
- Shoulder instability
- Impingement (lack of space around the joint)
- Inflammation (like bursitis, tendinitis)
- Overload of muscles and tendons causing irritations
- Fracture around the shoulder
- Trauma
- Injury/ruptures of the soft tissue
- Frozen shoulder
- Shoulder luxation
- Fibromyalgia
Causes of shoulder injuries
The most common cause of shoulder pain is overload of the shoulder. This can happen acutely during sport or after a lot of repetitive movements or, for example, through heavy lifting. The overload of the soft tissue like muscles and tendons can end up in an inflammation which causes pain. An overview of some possible causes of shoulder pain.
Consultation and treatment
- Advice and information about your problem and the treatment plan
- Fasciatherapy or therapeutical massage of the soft tissues to reduce/remove pain and tension
- Manual therapy of the joints to improve the mobility
- Therapeutic exercises to improve the power, stability and function of weakened muscles and to increase the range of joint movement
- Fascia and stretching exercises to reduce or prevent stiffness of related muscles