Dr. Jeff Langmaid explains why avoiding shoulder movement can make pain worse and lead to frozen shoulder. Controlled movement and maintaining full range of motion in your shoulder and spine is key to healing from bursitis, impingement, and rotator cuff tears.
Hi, I'm Dr. Jeff Langmid and you're watching Research that Matters TV. Your shoulder is the most unstable and movable joint in your body. Its wide range of motion occurs due to four primary muscles in their tendons, which together are called the rotator cuff. If your shoulder becomes inflamed or an impingement happens, you may make the mistake of trying to avoid using your arm to help it heal. May surprise you to learn that not moving can actually contribute to more pain or even lead to a frozen shoulder. Controlled movement is one of the best ways to heal. The most common source of pain in the shoulder is the tendons. Your tendons attach the muscles to the bones and if a tendon becomes trapped, it can result in shoulder impingement. If a tendon becomes inflamed, you may hear it referred to as tendinitis or bursitis. And if a tendon becomes torn, you guessed it, you have a rotator cuff. 10 Here are a couple of those key shoulder injuries. Shoulder Bursitis if the sack of fluid that cushions your shoulder becomes swollen and painful due to repetitive motions, you might have bursitis. Impingement if your tendons get pinched between or under the bones of your shoulder, it can lead to impingement. Lifting overhead repetitively can cause impingement and it can result in swelling and pain and finally that rotator cuff tear. Your rotator cuff can become damaged due to overuse injury or age. Tears usually cause pain when you try to lift things and you may hear a popping sound as you move. Your shoulder and spine work together. While it might seem like they're totally separate areas, it's been discovered that postural abnormalities can play a significant role in your likelihood of developing shoulder pain. Maintaining a full range of motion in your shoulder and the spinal joints of your neck and mid back can help reduce your chances of dealing with shoulder pain. And if you notice shoulder discomfort or restricted motion, contact us for a complete evaluation. We'll work to create a movement based plan to help you find long term relief. I'll see you next week for another episode of Research that Matters TV.
