Common Causes of Shoulder Pain: A Self-Assessment

Patients often present to our office shoulder issues. Traumatic sports related activities are common contributing factors to acute shoulder injuries. Chronic debilitating condition such as arthritis or tendinopathies can cause shoulder pain as well.

The shoulder joint is quite unique, and is very different than your hip—in that your humerus or arm bone rests on a shallow plate-like structure found at the top of your scapula. Your hip joint has a much deeper socket therefore providing more stability. The shoulder relies more heavily on the 26 muscles that attach to it for movement and integrity.

Because of the complexity of your shoulder anatomy, it is important to have a competent examination and accurate diagnosis before prescribing a treatment protocol.

Here at The Center For Spine Care and Mobility, we have a team of sports medicine practitioners who have extensive knowledge in the shoulder joint. From Active Release Technique Certified Chiropractors, Doctors in Physical Therapy whom have swam competitively in college, sports-minded acupuncturists and medical staff, we all take pride in our ability to treat and heal shoulder pain.

How to Assess Shoulder Pain

When assessing the shoulder you want to take into consideration multiple factors:

1. Strength of the musculature
2. Endurance of the musculature
3. Bio mechanical factors specific to the sport
4. Rest or proper time off to allow the tissue to heal and grow
5. History of any injury
6. Range of motion

Once the staff at CSC+M has examined the shoulder joint, we prescribe an integrated program based on the patients needs to return to activity. Having a team of physical therapists, chiropractors, acupuncture, massage and a medical team overseeing your care gives the patient the best chance to heal in the shortest amount of time.

The following checklist will help you assess where your pain is emanating from and what is causing your symptoms. This is not a substitution for professional intervention but can help you the patient get a better idea as to where your pain is coming from.

1. Radiculopathy or pain down the arm
   • Usually caused by neck pain and pathology
   • Turn neck to side of pain, extend head then push down on your head
   • AKA Maximal cervical compression
   • Pain in the neck or into the arm, pinching the nerve
2. Thoracic outlet syndrome
   • Pinching in neck and shoulders
   • ROOS test 90/90 arms at elbow and clap hands in place
   • Recreation of symptoms
3. Rotator cuff tear or injury to muscles
   • 4 muscles
     • Bring your arm into the position of emptying a beer can (thumb down). Hold and push down on the arm
     • Arms at your side like you’re holding a pistol. Resist being pushed towards midline. Teres major and infraspnatus.
4. Arthritis do DJD.
   1. Like you’re making a muscle. External rotation with pain and restriction.
5. AC joint issue
   1. Caused by trauma, weight lifters, skiers
   2. Arm across chest. Pinpoint pain
   3. Arm across body and push up towards sky
   4. Pull apart test of hands gripped together
6. Bursitis
   1. Localized pain and inflammation
   2. Warm swollen area of joint
7. Impingement
   1. Can lead to tendinitis and rotator cuff tear
   2. Arm across body with hand on opposite shoulder. Pain with raising elbow.
8. Tendinitis
   1. Painful arc at the top 130-180 degrees when bringing your arm out to the side.
9. Unstable/Instability
   1. Apprehension test. Afraid of hurting the joint.
10. Fibromyalgia
    1. Trigger points or tight spots in the muscles of the shoulder and trapezium.
    2. Tired feeling in the shoulder joint.

Here at The Center For Spine Care and Mobility our practitioners are trained to examine, diagnose, and treat injuries of the the entire body but pride ourselves on fixing shoulders.

By having an expert understanding of where your pain is coming from gives the patient the best chance for recovery. More importantly the patient is not subjected to unnecessary testing and delayed treatment.

Treatment options such as Active Release Technique, Graston Technique, nerve flossing, PNF stretching, specific massage techniques, Acupuncture, trigger point injections, and even bracing can all have a positive impact on the resolution of shoulder pain. If this is something that is bothering you contact our facility for an evaluation from one of our trained practitioners.