BC physiotherapists share 4 tips to provide relief for shoulder pain and keep British Columbians moving for life
Like Atlas, many people carry the weight of the world on their shoulders. But many people also suffer from shoulder pain which can make carrying the weight of the world a bit tough. Shoulders happen to be extremely prone to injury since the ball of the upper arm is larger than the socket that holds it. This results in many problems such as sprains, strains, dislocations, rotator cuff tears and frozen shoulder. BC’s physiotherapists want to share their Physio-4 for shoulders, 4 tips on how to get relief for painful shoulders and keep British Columbians moving for life.
“If you have shoulder pain or suffer an injury to your shoulder, seek the advice of a physiotherapist early on to determine the exact nature of your problem,” says Rebecca Tunnacliffe, CEO of the Physiotherapy Association of BC. “Early treatment and following the Physio-4 for Shoulders can result in a faster and better recovery. Be mindful however, that some shoulder problems require surgery, and professional guidance is essential during your recovery. A physiotherapist can help you avoid common complications after surgery, restore your strength and flexibility and get you back to your activities as quickly as possible.”
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.
The Physiotherapy Association of BC created the Physio-4 to share the expertise of its members with fellow British Columbians. Each month, on movingforlife.ca 4 tips are provided to treat specific health or physical conditions that will help keep British Columbians moving for life. BC’s physiotherapists want British Columbians to know that if they are injured or in pain, a physiotherapist can help. After all, they are the healthcare professionals physicians recommend most.
To learn more about how physiotherapists keep British Columbians moving for life, visit movingforlife.ca.
