Shoulder, or between the shoulder blades?
Shoulder pain is common. But it's worth being precise about where it hurts when you describe it to a health professional — plenty of patients say their "shoulder" hurts when the pain is actually between the shoulder blades, not in the shoulder joint itself. This matters, because if you're referred for imaging such as an ultrasound, the correct area needs to be targeted.
Common causes
The most common causes of true shoulder pain are bursitis (inflammation of a small fluid-filled sac called a bursa) and tendonitis (inflammation of the rotator cuff tendons). Other causes, such as frozen shoulder, are less common.
Interestingly, some degree of tendon wear is common in people over 50 even when there's no pain at all. When these changes do become painful, you might notice difficulty lying on that shoulder in bed, or reaching into an overhead cupboard for a glass.
How we approach it
At Farrelly Chiropractic, we typically use a combination of exercise, myofascial release techniques such as Active Release Technique (ART), and gentle manipulation. The exact mix depends on what's driving your particular pain.
It's important not to overprotect the shoulder by avoiding using it altogether — continuing to move it through a pain-free range is part of recovery. A small amount of discomfort is fine, but you shouldn't push the shoulder into positions that cause sharp or severe pain.
When to see your GP
If your shoulder pain is severe and not settling, your GP may consider a cortisone injection to help calm the inflammation. Part of our job is recognising when that's the more appropriate next step.
Book an assessment
If shoulder pain is limiting your sleep or your daily activities, we can assess what's driving it and put together a plan. Contact the clinic to book in.