April 2018
Shoulder complaints are super common in the manual medicine and physical therapies realm. We see shoulder pain and injury in association with a range of work and sporting activities that are repetitive, involve overhead work or heavy loads. Some of the more common problems include tendinopathies, bursitis, and dislocations and frequently, one of these things will lead to another, making shoulders notoriously tricky.
The key in addressing shoulders is developing a comprehensive plan that simultaneously addresses pain, strength, mobility and coordination.
SHOULDER REGION RECAP:
- There are 17 muscles that attach to the shoulder blade, 4 of those muscles are collectively called the rotator cuff
- The rotator cuff works to provide stability during movement & loading
- Because the scapular acts as the anchor point of the cuff, positioning and control of the scapular allows for optimal shoulder joint stability and power
Our Osteopathic treatment of rotator cuff injuries is characteristically holistic and will take into consideration both global biomechanics and broader health determinants like activity levels, diet and sleep.
From a biomechanical perspective we aim to improve the function and movement of the glenohumeral joint, the scapular and the thoracic spine as well as the neck and the lower back. We’ll use a broad range of gentle hands-on treatments to achieve this like massage, mobilisation and assisted stretching type techniques.
You can see Melinda perform some of these in this video.
The MOH ‘Complete Care’ approach means that to complement your hands on treatment, we’ll also provide you with a comprehensive care plan which may include stretching, strengthening and mobility exercises as well as advice on any important changes to work, sport and lifestyle activities. It’s this overall approach that really helps us get better outcomes for clients.
To find out more about how to better treat and manage your shoulder pain, please call 03 8370 3044 or book online to see one of our Osteopaths at MOH.
