Weak back and shoulder muscles and having difficulty reaching above your head could be symptoms of a syndrome known as shoulder impingement. Shoulder impingement occurs when the tendons in the shoulder rub against the bones around the shoulder joint. Irritation will then cause pain or soreness in the shoulder region when doing certain activities, especially overhead activities or sleeping on affected side.
Individuals who participate in activities such as swimming, tennis, or other overhead sports tend to be more likely to experience impingement. Bone and joint abnormalities can also be a factor. People with poor posture are also at a higher risk for experiencing shoulder impingement. Falling can also cause irritation in the shoulder joint, creating friction against the rotator cuff tendons.
Depending on the history of pain, physical therapy can offer a variety of exercises to assist people with shoulder impingement:
- Range of motion exercises: Working closely with a physical therapist, you can learn simple at-home stretching exercises to perform in order to help the tendons and muscles heal properly.
- Strengthening exercises: When an injury occurs, the body often compensates by using different muscle groups to perform daily functions. A physical therapist can help strengthen the correct muscle groups allowing your body to heal correctly and quickly.
Here at RPT, we want you to have a quick and full recovery. If you or someone you know suffers from shoulder impingement or any other joint or muscle pain, give us a call today.
