Faster and Better Recovery for Shoulder Injuries

Faster and Better Recovery for Shoulder Injuries

Posted Aug 25, 2013 by MSP Clinic

Posted In: Ask the Physiotherapist, Back Pain, baseball, Clinic News, Contests, Ergonomics, foot pain, Golfing, Health & Wellness, Leg Injury, Local News, Manual Therapy, Neck Pain, Nutrition, Osteoporosis, Patient Study, Physiotherapist Advice, Physiotherapy, Running, Services, Shoulder Injury, Soccer, Sports, Sports Injury, Sprains, TPI Assessment,

August is Shoulder Injury Month!

The shoulder joint is the most movable joint in the body. It is comprised of the collarbone, the shoulder blade, and the upper arm bone.  Shoulders are prone to injury because they are by nature unstable since the ball of the upper arm is larger than the socket that holds it. Hence it is the site of many common problems such as sprains, strains, dislocations, rotator cuff tears, and frozen shoulder.

Here are 4 Tips to a Faster and Better Recovery for Shoulder Injuries:

1. Get in balance. The shoulder joint needs the perfect balance of strength and flexibility to keep it in great shape and injury free. Your physiotherapist can assess your movement and show you how to strengthen the rotator cuff to keep the shoulder positioned optimally in the joint to prevent improper mechanics while moving the arm.
2. Correct poor postural habits. Improving your movement, strengthening your shoulder muscles, and correcting poor postural habits can improve your shoulder function and reduce pain. Learning the right skills for your activity is important for preventing many shoulder injuries. Your physiotherapist is a movement expert who can prescribe specific exercises to improve your movement and posture.
3. Keep it loose. Frozen shoulder is a debilitating and painful condition, which is a common complication of many shoulder injuries. Physiotherapists can help with pain relief and a faster recovery, and show you how to keep the shoulder moving through the full available range of motion to maintain optimal muscle balance around the shoulder girdle. Your physiotherapist can provide specific exercises to correct imbalances.
4. Get the right advice. Shoulder dislocations, separations and instabilities require specialized rehabilitation to protect your injury and have you back to full activity. Consulting a physiotherapist can reduce the need for shoulder surgery; if you need surgery your physiotherapist will refer you to a physician.  Your physiotherapist can help you with pain relief, protection from further injury and a full rehabilitation plan.