EARN ABOUT YOUR PAIN, UNDERSTAND HOW YOU INJURED YOUR BODY, AND DISCOVER HOW OUR OFFICE CAN HELP. There are several ways to injure the shoulder and cause pain, including repeated movements, continuous wear and tear, postural dysfunction, or trauma. To fully understand how a shoulder gets injured, it’s important to grasp the complexities of this joint. The shoulder is the most complex and mobile joint in the body. It consists of the glenoid fossa, a small indentation on the scapula, and the round head of the humerus. These structures are held in place by ligaments, capsules, cartilage, tendons, and muscles.
The shoulder is the most complex joint in the body. It has a biomechanical relationship with the trunk and neck, requiring a deep understanding of the muscular and fascial anatomy. A thorough understanding of the shoulder’s complex movement is essential for restoring functional strength, improving mobility, and reducing pain.
The shoulder primarily relies on the fascia for stability. It is crucial that the relationship between the glenoid fossa and the head of the humerus remains consistent and properly aligned. If this alignment is disrupted, shearing forces can cause damage to the structures within the joint. This alignment is dependent on the stability of the muscles and the relationship between the clavicle and sternum. A common issue we encounter is the distortion of the scapula’s position, which often rotates upward toward the ear and drifts forward due to tightness in the pectoralis muscles. When this distortion occurs, the biomechanical relationship between the glenoid and humerus is compromised, leading to strain on the rotator cuff. This is known as impingement syndrome and is a frequent cause of shoulder pain.
Shoulder pain can also result from overuse syndrome, strain, or a lifting injury. Once the mechanism of injury is identified and understood, an appropriate treatment plan can be developed. In many cases, there is a direct relationship between the cervical spine and the position of the shoulder girdle in relation to the trunk.
LEARN HOW OUR OFFICE CAN HELP YOUR INJURY:
To relieve shoulder pain, we focus on realigning the scapula in relation to the cervical spine, trunk, and arm. We begin with an understanding of fascial and muscular binding. Our treatment plan is specifically designed to address these muscular and fascial issues, bringing the scapula back into its correct anatomical position. By reducing muscular tension and fascial binding throughout the arm, we achieve a positive impact on the scapula’s anatomical alignment. Once this alignment is restored, we implement an active program of stretching, flexibility, and strengthening exercises. These exercises are tailored to de-rotate and depress the scapula, retraining the muscular system to maintain the proper position of the glenohumeral joint and prevent further injury. This approach is also applied to post-operative rehabilitation and recovery from severe trauma.
LEARN HOW YOU CAN PREVENT FUTURE INJURIES:
To prevent future issues, it’s essential that the exercise program, stretching regimen, and postural re-training effectively address fascial binding. Proper exercise re-training ensures a stable scapula and pain-free glenohumeral joint movement. This is achieved through our comprehensive approach, which combines a deep understanding of biomechanics as it relates to the shoulder girdle, trunk, and cervical spine, alongside the fascial structures.
Some structures that are often overlooked in shoulder pain and dysfunction include the dynamics of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the pectoralis major (both the sternal and clavicular sections), and the pectoralis minor as it attaches to the coracoid process. Both the scalene muscles and the pectoralis minor can impact the brachial plexus, leading to neurological symptoms in addition to shoulder pain. Severe forward head posture, also known as ‘sternal syndrome,’ has a significant effect on the alignment of the upper quadrant, particularly the scapula and cervical spine. As demonstrated, these interconnected issues create a complex situation that necessitates comprehensive treatment programs to restore alignment and resolve both shoulder dysfunction and pain.
Other contributing factors to shoulder pain include spasms and fatigue of the deltoid muscle. Tightness in the scalene muscles can radiate pain into the insertion point of the deltoid. These minor spasms need to be managed to allow for proper humeral head positioning.