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By Rachael Bird, Myotherapist Repetitive movements are an inherent part of many professions and daily activities. From office workers typing on keyboards for hours to athletes practicing their chosen sport, repetitive movements can take a toll on various parts of the body, including the shoulder. In this article, we will explore the effects of repetitive movements on the shoulder, a complex and delicate joint that plays a crucial role in our daily lives.  The Shoulder Joint: A Remarkable Structure The shoulder is a highly mobile joint that allows us to perform a wide range of activities, from lifting objects to throwing a baseball. It consists of three bones: the humerus (upper arm bone), the scapula (shoulder blade), and the clavicle (collarbone). These bones are connected by a network of muscles, tendons, and ligaments, which work together to provide stability and movement to the shoulder joint. Effects of Repetitive Movements on the Shoulder Muscle Fatigue and Tendonitis: Repetitive movements can lead to muscle fatigue, especially in the muscles surrounding the shoulder joint. Over time, this can cause inflammation and irritation of the tendons, a condition known as tendonitis. Tendonitis can result in pain and limited range of motion in the shoulder. Rotator Cuff Injuries: The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint. Repetitive overhead movements, such as those performed by athletes in sports like tennis or baseball, can strain and damage the rotator cuff. This can lead to rotator cuff injuries, characterized by pain, weakness, and difficulty raising the arm. Impingement Syndrome: Repetitive movements can narrow the space between the acromion (a bony projection of the scapula) and the rotator cuff tendons. This can result in a condition known as impingement syndrome, where the tendons become pinched and inflamed. Impingement syndrome causes pain when lifting the arm and can lead to further shoulder problems if left untreated. Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis): Repetitive movements or lack of movement due to immobilization can lead to a condition called frozen shoulder. In this condition, the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint becomes thickened and tight, causing pain and stiffness. Frozen shoulder can significantly limit shoulder mobility and can take months to resolve. Arthritis: Overuse of the shoulder joint can accelerate the wear and tear of the cartilage that cushions the bones. This can lead to the development of arthritis in the shoulder, resulting in pain, swelling, and reduced joint mobility. Preventing and Managing Shoulder Issues from Repetitive Movements Prevention and proper management are key to minimizing the negative effects of repetitive movements on the shoulder: Ergonomics: In workplaces that involve repetitive tasks, ergonomic adjustments can help reduce the strain on the shoulder. Proper chair and desk height, keyboard placement, and regular breaks can make a significant difference. Strengthening Exercises: Regularly performing exercises that target the muscles around the shoulder joint can help improve stability and reduce the risk of injury. Physical therapy programs can be beneficial for individuals with repetitive motion-related shoulder issues. Rest and Recovery: Adequate rest and recovery time are essential, especially for athletes and individuals with physically demanding jobs. Giving the shoulder time to heal and recuperate can prevent the development of chronic issues. Proper Technique: Athletes and individuals involved in repetitive activities should pay attention to their technique. Proper form can reduce the risk of overuse injuries. Medical Attention: If you experience persistent shoulder pain or mobility issues, it's essential to seek medical attention. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent the progression of shoulder problems. In conclusion, repetitive movements can have a significant impact on the shoulder joint, leading to a range of issues from muscle fatigue and tendonitis to more severe conditions like rotator cuff injuries and arthritis. Understanding the risks and taking preventive measures, such as ergonomic adjustments and strengthening exercises, can help individuals mitigate these effects and maintain shoulder health. When shoulder problems do arise, prompt medical attention and appropriate rehabilitation are crucial for a full recovery and a return to pain-free mobility. By Duke Autret Frozen Shoulder can be painful, physically limiting and downright annoying. It can be a difficult condition to treat, but with persistence can improve. Lets look at what it is and what can be done about it.  This condition is also called Adhesive Capsulitis, and is where the shoulder and more specifically the Glenohumeral (ball and socket) joint capsule of the shoulder starts to become painful and restricted in its movements. It can become so stiffened that it can progressively become ‘frozen’ or unable to move in most directions - especially external rotation (like trying to put your hands behind your head), abduction (out to the side and up like snow angels), internal rotation (like reaching down and behind your back to scratch a shoulder blade) and flexion (lifting the arm up like an underarm throw and then all the way till you’re putting your hands up!).
This condition's medical causation is not well understood but it’s more likely to occur over the age of 40 and where there is prolonged immobility of a shoulder or where there has been a previous history of trauma to a shoulder, and most especially, when these factors are combined, although it can certainly occur without any obvious factors as well. Often it includes a progression through distinct stages; a freezing stage, a frozen stage, and finally a thawing stage. In the first stage things are acute and the shoulder will be quite painful with the movements previously listed, in fact it can be painful with any shoulder use when its at its most aggravated, however there is still some ability to move through the pain and the ranges of motion. In the second stage the pain may or may not diminish completely, however there is no ability to move the shoulder joint through these full ranges of motion, and typically, to compensate, people start using their shoulder blade instead to move and shrug their shoulder up a lot, in an attempt to get more range. Tilting from the torso to angle the arm and shoulder up is also a compensation pattern we see in this stage. The third stage is when the shoulder (at the Glenohumeral joint) spontaneously begins to improve, when pain gradually subsides and the range of motion returns to varying degrees. At this points it’s crucial to note, if it’s a true frozen shoulder you’re suffering with, that even without any intervention of any kind, about 60% of cases will resolve, almost and sometimes completely, by themselves after 2-3 years, 90% within 3-4 years, and otherwise up to 7 years according to longitudinal studies from the like of Oxford and from clinical data. How can you tell if its frozen shoulder, or another type of shoulder condition? If some of these symptoms of pain and extreme shoulder mobility limitation sound familiar you may want to seek a clear confirmation that it’s not due to some kind of shoulder Arthritis or a rotator cuff condition - often x-rays or ultrasound imaging can help to rule these out. These types of imaging can be ordered by your GP, and the results can help inform the types of treatment that will be most beneficial in getting you moving better. If you have been diagnosed with a frozen shoulder then you're likely wondering what should be done with it? Although we already mentioned the good news about spontaneous resolution to this problem, the better news is that conservative and non-invasive treatments such as myotherapy, massage and mobilisation can be very helpful and effective in reducing the time for this process, especially when combined with some home stretching and exercise therapy. As well as our treatments in the clinic we can provide you with a few choice at-home Mobilisations & Stretches and advise you on the good use of heat before and after to get things moving in the right direction again. It has to be said that this is a condition I ‘enjoy’ working with, because with some regular sessions together and your commitment to the treatment and exercises it has an excellent prognosis, down from 3-7 years to 6-24 months! Frozen shoulder is certainly a condition that requires consistency and patience. Another key element includes modification to your daily activities to avoid continuous aggravation of the area - this is something we can discuss during your treatment, and we can find easy ways of helping you adapt while your frozen shoulder is on its way to thawing. If yourself or anyone you know is currently suffering with a Frozen shoulder, please come and see us, we are here to help. Book your first appointment online or phone our clinic on 03 8204 0970 to reserve a time to begin the process. |
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Mel Simon (Senior Clinical Myotherapist) and Dr Sarah Varmalis (Senior Osteo) are available 7 days a week at our Boronia clinic. Archives
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