Shoulder Pain. To Train or not to train?
We’ve all heard the saying “move it or lose it”. So should you exercise through your shoulder pain?
The shoulder is what’s called a multidirectional joint which means that it moves in many different directions. Unlike most joints in the body the shoulder doesn’t contain many ligaments or passive support structures so it relies solely on correct muscular control for movement. If your shoulder has been injured, it’s important to see a physiotherapist prior to returning to sport or exercise to determine the extent of your injury, give you appropriate exercises so that it heals correctly and to let you know when you should resume your usual exercise and activities.
The most common shoulder injuries are rotator cuff injuries. It is the rotator cuff muscles that move the shoulder bones so damage to any of these muscles can make it very difficult to move your arm.
Rotator cuff injuries are most often caused by progressive wear and tear of the tendons/tissues over time. Repetitive overhead activity or prolonged bouts of heavy lifting can irritate or damage the tendons. The rotator cuff can also be injured in a single incident during falls or accidents.
Usually mild rotator cuff tears heal without surgery however it is highly beneficial to have treatment so that the tears heal properly and don’t continue to cause problems down the track. In many cases poor biomechanics have led to the initial injury so it is a good idea to see a physiotherapist to limit any problems in the future and address the cause of the initial injury.
Signs of a rotator cuff tear include:
A dull ache deep within the shoulder
Difficulty and pain caused by raising your arm
Popping or clicking sounds or sensations when moving your arm
Shoulder pain that worsens at night or when sleeping or resting on your shoulder
Shoulder weakness and struggling to lift things
Recurrent pain, especially with certain activities
Limited ability to move your arm
Muscle weakness
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is a good idea to have treatment before you return to gym or exercise to identify the cause of your symptoms, give you tips on how to manage your shoulder so that you don’t injure it further and to let you know which exercises to avoid.
If your therapist is concerned, they may also advise you to get some additional tests eg a CT scan.
In summary, “no pain, no gain” is not really the best advice for someone with a shoulder injury as pain is your body’s way of telling you that something isn’t right and a partial tear can quickly become a full thickness tear which is likely to require surgery if it is not managed correctly. It is best to book in for a Physiotherapy appointment to get a proper diagnosis of your condition and to let you know which activities to avoid and which exercises to do to help things to heal correctly.
Written by Sally Buratwoski
BPhty(Hons) UQ
Physiotherapist / Pilates Instructor
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is best to book in for a Physiotherapy appointment to get a proper diagnosis of your condition and to let you know which activities to avoid and which exercises to do to help things to heal correctly.
Book an appointment with us online today or call our team on 07 55 04 7000.
