PHYSIO Golden rays dance across the sky. The temperature is climbing. Following imprisonment by the cuffs of winter, as proud Manitobans we soak-up summer. For many this may involve swinging the golf club, setting the beach volleyball, smashing the tennis ball or throwing a baseball. Though the scenes vary, and the equipment differs – these activities share a common dominator – the shoulder. Shoulder pain is one of the most frequent musculoskeletal complaints and its prevalence increases with age. What makes the shoulder susceptible to pain is that it’s built for mobility. A shoulder’s structure can be compared to a golf ball on a tee; the ball being your humerus or your “arm bone” and the tee being the groove in your shoulder blade where the humerus sits. Movement of the shoulder is a dynamic dance between the boney surfaces, capsule, ligaments, and forces of the surrounding musculature. Although several muscles are involved in shoulder movement, an important complex is the rotator cuff. The rotator cuff can be likened to a hand reaching from the back of shoulder blade to the front of the humerus– effectively grabbing onto the ball at the top. It is composed of four muscles that converge
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together to form an attachment deep within the shoulder joint. Our shoulder’s mobility is masterful for function; we can reach, rotate, and throw! However, its design leaves it prone to injury and strain, particularly under conditions in which it is overloaded. Excessive tissue load -or “too much, too difficult, or too often” - remains the greatest factor in the development of rotator cuff related shoulder pain. This is reflected by the fact that it occurs more frequently in the dominant limb and with engagement in activities with high rates of upper-limb loading. But, “it’s summer”. You still pick up your racket and whiz that neon ball across the court. Remember, pain is not always indicative of “damage”. The onset of mild dull, aching discomfort in the shoulder is normal with beginning or reengaging in an activity. But when that discomfort refuses to hibernate or progresses to sharp, debilitating pain that you cannot shake – consider visiting your local physiotherapist. Upon review of the scientific literature, the best strategies for shoulder pain include physiotherapy. A physiotherapist is a medical professional who performs accurate and thorough assessments. Physiotherapy can help with management strategies, activity modification, improved strength, and flexibility. Attending physiotherapy is actively deciding to optimize your health by giving you the tools in your toolbelt to construct the life you desire. Stacey Braun (Physiotherapist, MPT, B.Sc, ASc)
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