Shoulder and Elbow Problems
Osteopaths treat more than just backs! There are plenty of reasons you may have pain or stiffness in your shoulder or elbow. We can help you- see some examples of causes below.
Rotator Cuff Injuries
spectrum, not always sports related
The rotator cuff is made of four muscles that run from the shoulder blade to the humerus (upper arm bone). They can be injured in sports injuries or by falls and other trauma.
An injury to the rotator cuff might cause:
Weakness on shoulder movements, especially rotation
Tenderness around the shoulder and upper back
Crunchy or otherwise “rough” movement
Mild strains recover in around a month, but the shoulder may still feel weak or restricted for longer without proper rehabilitation. It’s important not to immobilise your shoulder unnecessarily as this is associated with developing other conditions such as frozen shoulder.
More major strains and tears are also associated with the above symptoms. They may also be accompanied by bruising and significant loss of strength. Your osteopath can assess your shoulder and refer back to your GP if necessary.
Shoulder Arthritis
The ball and socket joint of the shoulder can develop osteoarthritis. This tends to present as a gradual loss of movement and increasing ache over months. It may also be predisposed by a previous injury. Although shoulder joint replacements are available, most people would rather avoid surgery if possible.
As with any other arthritic joint, the shoulder can benefit from osteopathy. The plan is to break the cycle:
Movement is limited by pain
The cartilage becomes unhealthy due to lack of movement
The area becomes more painful, and movement is limited further
Your osteopath will work around the whole joint to relax off muscles that are holding the joint tight and encourage movement. As soon as you start using more of the joint, the cartilage begins to receive the nutrients it needs to at least slow the progress of arthritis. In some cases, some of the disease progress can be reversed.
The sooner you can address an arthritic joint the better: it’s never too soon to see us.
Epicondylitis: Tennis Elbow & Golfers Elbow
Tennis and golfer’s elbows start off as a simple muscle strain. This doesn’t have to have anything to do with sports- even carrying heavy shopping for long enough can start it off.
If the strain is not addressed, the area can become inflamed. This means more tenderness around the elbow where the muscles attach. It may also cause some puffiness or redness. At this point, inflammation is affecting the connection between muscle and bone, which makes it harder to get on top of than muscle injury alone.
Your osteopath can work around the elbow and other joints during your sessions as well as providing advice to manage at home. Exercises and warm or cool compresses can speed up your recovery and prevent you from slipping back between appointments. If the cause of your pain is an activity you do frequently, they may also be able to advise you on ways to make it more comfortable.
For example, golfer’s elbow can be caused or maintained by excessive gripping. If your racket has a thin handle, you may be able to take some strain off the muscles by wrapping it with more grip tape to make it thicker.
Other causes of shoulder or elbow pain
There are many other causes of pain we can help with. Whether your pain has been on and off for years or just started yesterday, it’s in our remit. Make an appointment to see an osteopath today.