Shoulder Pain - See An Osteopath for Effective Relief of Shoulder Aches & Pains!

Understanding Shoulder Pain

Painful shoulder ailments that limit movement are very typical, and are caused by injuries affecting the shoulder joint, muscles, tendons, ligaments and cartilage.  As the shoulder has a high degree of flexibility, it is therefore less stable and more susceptible to injuries than other joints of the body.

Since the nerves that supply the shoulder and arm originate from the neck and upper spine, situations such as Vertebral Dysfunction typically contribute to pain in the shoulder.

Osteopaths can assist with the following shoulder conditions:

Chronic Shoulder Pain and Stiffness
Shoulder Muscle Spasm and Tension
Rotator Cuff Disorders such as tears and strains
Frozen Shoulder
Arthritis of the Shoulder
Diagnosis of Shoulder Pain

In order to figure out the cause of your shoulder ache, your Osteopath will perform a full physical, orthopaedic and neurological examination of the shoulder, cervical and thoracic spine.  

You will be asked to perform shoulder range of motion and muscle strength tests.  Where the pain is felt, both at rest and during movement of the shoulder, provides crucial clues as to the cause of the shoulder pain.  It may also be needed to undergo specialized diagnostic tests such as XRay, Ultrasound and/or MRI scans.

Treatment of Shoulder Pain

The preliminary objective of all shoulder injuries is to relieve pain and inflammation.  Whilst many doctors will propose non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to decrease pain and swelling, the benefit obtained by applying ice-packs can be equally, if not more effective.

As your shoulder begins to heal, it is vitally essential to restore range of movement, and later to improve muscle strength so as to stabilize the shoulder and help prevent further injury and aggravation.

Your Osteopath will be able to assist you with suitable shoulder range of motion exercises and shoulder strengthening and rehabilitation workout routines during your recovery.