Shoulder and Upper Arm
“Probably the most tricky area, however with massage, mobilisations, strapping, acupuncture and home exercises the shoulder joint in particular can be very rewarding for both the therapist and the client”
General Overview
The shoulder is the most flexible joint in the body. It is able to undertake a tremendous range of movement combined with great power. In order to achieve this combination it has a complex design which not only provides movement but also the required stability.
It is made up of 3 main bones, the humerus (upper arm), shoulder blade, (or scapula) and collarbone (or clavicle).
Four joints make up the shoulder ‘complex’. The main shoulder joint is a ball-and-socket joint, (called the glenohumeral joint), which is where most of the shoulder movement occurs.
There is a rotator cuff consisting of 4 muscles and tendons that surround the glenohumeral joint. In addition to providing movement and strength, they have a vital role in providing stability and the control of movement. The main power muscles lie superficially to the rotator cuff e.g. the deltoid muscles etc.
The various bones, joints and muscles all have to work as a coordinated unit to maintain full and pain free movement – it truly is ‘complex’!
Shoulder and Upper arm Conditions that we treat
- Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
- Sub-acromial impingement
- Subluxation/dislocation
- Acromio-clavicular joint pathologies
- Shoulder instabilities
- Labral injuries (Bankart/SLAP/ lesions)
- Rotator cuff tears/tendonitis
- Biceps tendon tears/tendonitis
- Arthritis
- Trapped nerves
- Muscle strains
- Haematomas
- Fractures (broken bones)
- Post surgery
This list is not exhaustive; please ring the clinic if you have any queries about other conditions or injuries.
Your condition will be thoroughly assessed by your physiotherapist, who will explain their findings and discuss the proposed treatment plan with you for your agreement.
Member of the Organisation of Chartered Physiotherapists in Private Practice
