DO YOU HAVE SHOULDER PAIN WITH ANY OF THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES?
Reaching overhead? Reaching into the back seat? Reaching behind your back? Sleeping? Combing/brushing your hair?
If you checked one or more of the above, Physical Therapy and our Shoulder Program may be right for you …
The shoulder is often referred to as a “ball and socket” joint. In reality, the “socket” portion of the joint is very shallow, relying on muscles and a ring of cartilage, called the labrum, to provide much of the joint’s stability. This design allows for a large amount of movement, but when the movement becomes impaired, injuries and pain occur. Because our bodies do not move in isolation, the neck and upper back also influence how we move our shoulders and arms. Many components come together to allow us the freedom to reach, lift, carry, and play sports without injury. It is no wonder so many Americans have shoulder pain complaints.
BASIC ANATOMY OF THE SHOULDER
The shoulder complex is comprised of four basic sections:
1. The gleno-humeral (GH) joint
2. The scapulo-thoracic (ST) joint
3. The acromio-clavicular (AC) joint
4. The sterno-clavicular (SC) joint
The shoulder program at North County Water and Sports Therapy Center includes a thorough examination of the most common causes of shoulder pain:
Rotator cuff (4 muscles in your shoulder attaching your upper arm to the shoulder blade)
These muscles play a large role in stabilizing your shoulder joint (referred to by medical professionals as the glenohumeral joint). In addition to helping you rotate your arm, these muscles are essential in keeping the ball in the socket with overhead motions.
Shoulder blade
17 different muscles attach to your shoulder blade, affecting movement and positioning. When these muscles are out of balance, the “ball and socket” fails to move in a coordinated pattern, leading to pain and limited use of the arm.
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