ROTATOR CUFF INJURY? SHOULDER PAIN? We may be able to help!

Valued Health Osteopathy, Bentleigh East

Osteopath Bentleigh East

Shoulder pain and rotator cuff injuries are very common in our community and has become more common over recent years, possibly due to the increased use of computers/smartphones and our increasingly sedentary lifestyle.¹

There are many causes of shoulder pain as the shoulder is a complex structure made up of several components.¹ Shoulder problems can be serious or minor, acute or chronic.³ The main causes of shoulder pain can include general wear and tear with age ², overuse/ repetitive shoulder movement (ie. sports like basketball and jobs like painting), overloading the joint by heavy lifting, trauma such as a fall and poor posture.^2,3

Some of the common injuries that can cause pain in the shoulder may include adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder), characterised by stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint, shoulder impingement syndrome (a condition where tendons in the shoulder are trapped during movement) and rotator cuff tears and strains in the muscles or tendons of the shoulder.³

Rotator cuff injury is a common cause of shoulder pain that is typically due to a strain or tear in the muscles or tendons in the shoulder.² The rotator cuff consists of four muscles and their tendons that stabilise and help the shoulder move.^2,4

Some of the symptoms of shoulder pain and rotator cuff injury may include pain and tenderness in the front and back of the shoulder and upper part of the arm ¹, feeling of weakness of the shoulder or upper arm ^1,2, pain when sleeping on the affected side ², limited shoulder movement ² and pain when moving the shoulder.¹

Our Osteopaths at Valued Health Osteopathy in Bentleigh East use a hands-on approach for the treatment of shoulder pain and specific shoulder injuries using techniques such as soft tissue massage, manipulation, stretching, and targeted strengthening and mobility exercises. Our osteopaths may use taping techniques in conjunction with your treatment plan. Further advice will also be given to you regarding ergonomic measures in the workplace, strengthening and mobility exercises for rehabilitation, and other helpful preventative advice to reduce the risk of shoulder pain.

So, if you are experiencing shoulder pain or have a specific shoulder injury, make an appointment with one of our Osteopaths at Valued Health Osteopathy by booking online HERE or call (03) 9570 9061.

All our Osteopaths at Valued Health Osteopathy are university trained allied health professionals who have completed a minimum of five years of university training in anatomy, physiology, pathology, general diagnosis and osteopathic techniques. It is also a requirement that all our Osteopaths at Valued Health Osteopathy are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Agency (AHPRA) and Osteopathy Australia.

You do not need a referral to see one of our friendly Osteopaths at Valued Health Osteopathy. We have a very good relationship with many surrounding doctors, other allied health practitioners and personal trainers in the local community in Bentleigh East and surrounding suburbs.

1. Better Health Channel, Shoulder pain, move, muscle, bone & joint health, last updates August 2016, https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/Shoulder-pain
2. Health direct, Rotator cuff injury, last updated November 2015, https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/rotator-cuff-injury
3. Health direct, Shoulder pain, last updated April 2017, https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/shoulder-pain
4. (i) Degenerative rotator cuff disease and impingement, Robin M Seagger, Andrew L Wallace, February 2011, Volume 25, Issue 1.