Impingement Syndrome
Rotator Cuff Tendons
Shoulder Joint Ligaments
The commonest condition involving shoulder pain is impingement syndrome.
Impingement is characterised by the rotator cuff (muscles surrounding the shoulder joint) tendons becoming trapped under the acromion bone (tip of the shoulder) as the arm is raised. There are many causes of impingement such as falls, overhead work, poor posture and most involve degeneration of the tendon.
The condition can be very painful and debilitating. Furthermore, the painful stimulus inhibits the function of the rotator cuff and can cause the impingement to worsen.
How does physiotherapy help?
Physiotherapy can help to strengthen the rotator cuff muscles thereby improving their function and by increasing the "space" for the tendons to glide underneath the acromion. Pain relieving modalities such as taping or acupuncture may be required to complement this treatment.
