Shoulder Impingement

What is Shoulder Impingement?

Shoulder impingement is a common condition that occurs when the tendons of the rotator cuff (and sometimes the bursa) become pinched or "impinged" between the bones of your shoulder. This usually happens in the subacromial space, which is the narrow area between the top of the humerus (arm bone) and the acromion (a part of your shoulder blade that forms the top of the shoulder joint).

When you lift your arm, this space naturally narrows. If the tendons or bursa are swollen, inflamed, or if there are structural issues, they can get squeezed, leading to pain and limited movement.

Common causes of shoulder impingement include:

• Repetitive Overhead Activities: Common in sports (e.g., swimming, tennis, baseball) or occupations (e.g., painting, carpentry) that involve repeated arm movements above shoulder height.

• Poor Posture: A rounded shoulder posture or forward head posture can narrow the subacromial space, predisposing individuals to impingement.

• Muscle Imbalances: Weakness in rotator cuff muscles or imbalances around the shoulder blade can affect shoulder mechanics.

• Bone Spurs: Bony growths on the acromion can reduce the space available for the tendons.

• Acute Injury: A fall or direct blow to the shoulder can sometimes trigger inflammation and impingement.

• Inflammation of the Bursa (Shoulder Bursitis): An inflamed bursa can also become pinched, causing similar symptoms.

As experienced osteopaths, we understand the intricate mechanics of the shoulder girdle and how issues from the neck to the upper back can contribute to impingement.

How does it feel?

Shoulder impingement typically causes pain when you lift your arm, especially between certain angles, and can significantly limit your ability to perform daily tasks. Common sensations and issues associated with shoulder impingement include:

• Pain with Overhead Activities: This is the hallmark symptom. Pain that intensifies when you lift your arm above shoulder height, reach behind your back, or reach overhead.

• Painful Arc: Pain specifically when lifting your arm in an arc, typically between 60 and 120 degrees of abduction (lifting arm out to the side).

• Night Pain: Pain that often disrupts sleep, especially when lying on the affected side.

• Weakness: A feeling of weakness in the affected arm, particularly when trying to lift or hold objects overhead. This can also be a symptom of a rotator cuff injury.

• Stiffness: A general stiffness in the shoulder joint, which might also make it feel like a developing frozen shoulder.

• Clicking or Catching: Sensations in the shoulder when moving the arm.

• Difficulty with Daily Tasks: Challenges with actions like dressing (especially putting on a jacket), washing hair, reaching for seatbelts, or doing household chores.

• Referred Pain: Pain that can sometimes extend down the side of the arm.

How Can Osteopathy Help?

For those suffering from shoulder impingement, our Osteopathic Treatment at MallorcaOsteopaths offers a targeted and holistic approach to alleviate pain and restore function. We understand that this condition is often related to imbalances not just in the shoulder itself, but also in the upper back and neck.

Our osteopathic treatment in Mallorca for shoulder impingement focuses on:

1. Reducing Pain and Inflammation: Through gentle, non-invasive manual techniques, we work to decrease the pain and inflammation in the pinched tendons and bursa, promoting immediate comfort and facilitating the healing process.

2. Restoring Shoulder Joint Mobility: We apply specific articulation and mobilization techniques to the shoulder joint itself, the shoulder blade (scapula), the collarbone (clavicle), and the ribs. This helps to decompress the impinged structures and improve the overall mechanics of the shoulder.

3. Releasing Muscle Tension: We utilize various soft tissue techniques to release tightness and spasms in the muscles surrounding the shoulder, neck (neck pain), and upper back. This helps reduce tension that can pull the shoulder into an impinged position.

4. Addressing Postural Imbalances: Poor posture, such as a rounded upper back or forward shoulders, significantly contributes to impingement. We assess your posture and provide practical advice on ergonomic adjustments and exercises to improve your postural alignment, reducing strain on the shoulder.

5. Improving Scapular Control: We focus on optimizing the movement and stability of your shoulder blade, as proper scapular rhythm is essential for pain-free overhead movement.

6. Enhancing Circulation and Healing: Osteopathic techniques can improve blood flow and lymphatic drainage to the affected area, supplying vital nutrients for tissue repair and removing waste products, thereby accelerating natural healing.

7. Providing Rehabilitation Guidance: While our approach is hands-on, we may recommend specific stretches and strengthening exercises (particularly for the rotator cuff and scapular stabilizers) to support your recovery and prevent recurrence.

Whether you're a long-term resident experiencing nagging shoulder pain from daily activities or a visitor needing acute pain relief to enjoy your Mallorca experience, our home visit osteopathy service across the island offers highly convenient and effective solutions. We bring expert, personalized care directly to you, helping you reclaim comfortable, pain-free overhead movement.