Poor Posture Can Cause Shoulder Impingement
If your shoulder is bothering you, take a look at your posture. Are you sitting up straight? If not, this could be contributing to your shoulder pain!
Fortunately, a physical therapist can test to see what the cause of your pain is and help improve your posture, therefore also relieving your pain.
Not sure why you're living in discomfort? Ready to get back to leading a pain-free life? Call our clinic today to find out more about improving your posture and addressing shoulder pain.
The importance of the shoulder
In most areas of the body, bone is surrounded by muscles and tendons that allow that part of the body to move. The shoulder is different. It is actually made up of three bones - the humerus or arm bone, the scapula or shoulder blade, and the clavicle or collarbone.
Rather than being "wrapped" in tendons and muscles, these three bones are attached by a series of muscles and tendons called a rotator cuff. There is a lubricating sac at the top of your arm bone called the bursa. This sac allows the rotator cuff to move with ease when you move your arm.
If the rotator cuff tendons become damaged or if the bursa becomes inflamed, the result can be significant pain in the shoulder. However, when you raise your arm to shoulder height, the space between the rotator cuff and the bone at the top of your shoulder (the acromion) narrows. The acromion can rub against the tendon or bursa, leading to shoulder impingement. This is a painful condition that many people develop as a result of overuse in their jobs or sports, but it can also come about from slumping or slouching constantly.
How can I know if I'm dealing with shoulder impingement?
Oftentimes people who suffer from shoulder impingement find that they have a hard time lifting their arm above their head. This can take the form of being unable to lift something overhead or having trouble putting on a coat. If left untreated, shoulder impingement wears down the tendons or bursa in the shoulder, causing a tear in the rotator cuff, often requiring surgery to repair it.
Why am I experiencing shoulder impingement?
Generally, shoulder impingement is caused by overhead repetitive motions. Swimmers, tennis players, construction workers, painters, or athletes like baseball players and weight lifters are all susceptible to shoulder impingement.
However, athletes are not the only ones that find themselves unable to lift their arms over their heads without pain. Shoulder impingement is caused by the shortening of the space between the acromion and the rotator cuff.
Poor posture caused by our daily habits can also shorten that space. The postures we have while reading, working, texting, driving, cooking, or exercising can all impact the amount of subacromial space we have on our shoulders.
What does treatment for shoulder impingement look like?
Regardless of the cause, the first goal is to reduce the inflammation in the joint. This may be done through anti-inflammatory medications and the application of ice when pain occurs.
Once the inflammation has been reduced, the best way to get rid of shoulder impingement is to see a physical therapist. Not only will they be able to perform a thorough physical examination to rule out other underlying causes, but they will also be able to create a customized treatment plan designed for you.
Treatment is likely to include avoiding repetitive, overhead motions for a time, but it will also include stretches to reduce the impingement and strengthening exercises to prevent it from recurring.
In the case of shoulder impingement from poor posture, a physical therapist is also likely to recommend adjustments to improve your posture.
Making sure you have an ergonomic workspace, improving your posture while doing daily tasks, and stretching appropriately throughout the day will all treat the underlying cause of your shoulder impingement and keep it from returning.
Whether from poor posture or from repetitive tasks, shoulder impingement is not something to be taken lightly. If you are experiencing pain when you move your arms overhead, talk to your physical therapist. The sooner the condition is treated, the more successful the treatment will be.
How will a PT help?
As stated by the American Physical Therapy Association,
“The physical therapist uses tests and measures to assess an individual's structural alignment. Optimal posture is a state of musculoskeletal balance and skeletal alignment that may protect the individual against injury or progressive deformity. Responses monitored at rest, during activity, and after activity may indicate the presence or severity of an impairment, activity limitation, or participation restriction.”
Our physical therapists are highly experienced and dedicated to helping patients relieve pain and improve their posture. When you arrive for your first appointment, your physical therapist will conduct a comprehensive exam to find out where your pain is originating and what the best treatments will be for relieving it.
Your physical therapist will design a treatment plan based on your specific needs. This will focus on relieving your pain, improving your strength, and enhancing your posture as quickly as possible. Depending on the nature of your condition, treatment plans may also focus on mobility, balance, flexibility, or stability.
Relieve your shoulder pain and improve your posture
Is your posture causing you that pain in your shoulder? Contact us today to find out. We'll provide you with the treatment you need so you can get back to your pain-free life!
