Shoulder Impingement: Causes, Symptoms, and Expert Guidance

Understanding Shoulder Impingement Causes For A Comprehensive Recovery

Do you ever feel a nagging pain in your shoulder when you reach overhead or lift something heavy? Does it sometimes feel like a pinch or a catch? If this sounds familiar, you might be dealing with shoulder impingement. It’s a common condition that can cause significant discomfort. Our skilled physical therapists are experts in shoulder impingement causes and can craft personalized plans to help you recover.

Keep reading to learn more!

Shoulder Impingement Causes

Shoulder impingement, also known as impingement syndrome, occurs when the tendons of your rotator cuff (a group of muscles and tendons that stabilize your shoulder) become compressed or irritated as they pass through a narrow space beneath the acromion (a bony prominence at the top of your shoulder blade). This can lead to inflammation, pain, and limited range of motion. There are several factors that can contribute to shoulder impingement causes:

Repetitive Overhead Activities

• Jobs or sports that require frequent reaching or lifting overhead (like painting, swimming, or tennis) can stress the rotator cuff tendons.

Poor Posture

• Slouching or rounding your shoulders can narrow the space where the tendons pass through, increasing the risk of impingement.

Weak Shoulder Muscles

• When the muscles surrounding the shoulder are weak, they can’t adequately support the joint, leading to increased stress on the tendons.

Symptoms of shoulder impingement can vary in severity, but common signs include:

• Pain in the front or side of your shoulder, especially when reaching overhead or lifting your arm.
• A feeling of weakness or instability in your shoulder.
• Pain that worsens at night or when lying on the affected side.
• A grinding or clicking sensation in your shoulder.

Treatment For Shoulder Impingement

A man in his 50s walked into our clinic with persistent, aching pain in his right shoulder that flared up whenever he swung his golf clubs. After a comprehensive evaluation, including a physical examination and review of his medical history, we determined he had shoulder impingement. His shoulder impingement causes included the years of repetitive overhead motion from his golf swing, combined with some underlying muscle weakness, had led to inflammation and irritation of the tendons in his rotator cuff.

We designed a personalized treatment plan for him that focused on a combination of targeted PT techniques. In our manual therapy sessions, we used gentle hands-on techniques to mobilize his shoulder joint, improve soft tissue mobility, and reduce inflammation. We also prescribed a series of targeted exercises designed to strengthen the muscles of his rotator cuff and improve shoulder stability.

We also educated him on postural awareness and body mechanics during his golf swing. He was able to reduce the stress on his shoulder joint and prevent further irritation by making subtle adjustments to his stance and swing.

With consistent physical therapy and diligent adherence to his home exercise program, he regained full function of his shoulder. He was able to return to the golf course, swing his clubs without pain, and rediscover his love for the game.

Shoulder Impingement Treatment At AMR Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is a highly effective treatment that focuses on addressing the underlying shoulder impingement causes and promoting healing.

Manual Therapy

• Hands-on techniques like massage and joint mobilization to reduce pain, improve flexibility, and restore normal movement.

Therapeutic Exercises

• Targeted exercises to strengthen the rotator cuff muscles and improve shoulder stability.

Postural Education

• Guidance on maintaining proper posture to reduce stress on the shoulder joint.

Activity Modification

• Strategies for modifying daily activities or work tasks to avoid further irritation of the shoulder.

Contact us today for personalized treatment and say goodbye to your shoulder pain!