Many people carry the weight of the world on their shoulders.
But many people also suffer from shoulder pain, which can make carrying the weight of the world a bit tough to handle.
According to the Physiotherapy Association of Bc, shoulders are extremely prone to injury since the ball of the upper arm is larger than the socket that holds it. This results in many problems such as sprains, strains, dislocations, rotator cuff tears and frozen shoulder.
B.C.'s physiotherapists offer their "Physio-4" for shoulders - four tips on how to get relief for painful shoulders and keep British Columbians moving for life.
"Early treatment and following the Physio-4 for shoulders can result in a faster and better recovery," said Rebecca Tunnacliffe, CEO of the PABC in a press release. "Be mindful, however, that some shoulder problems require surgery and professional guidance is essential during your recovery."
The Physio-4:
Get in balance.
The shoulder joint needs the perfect balance of strength and flexibility to keep it in great shape and injury free. Your physiotherapist can assess your movement and show you how to strengthen the rotator cuff to keep the shoulder positioned optimally in the joint to prevent improper mechanics while moving the arm.
Correct poor postural habits.
Improving your movement, strengthening your shoulder muscles, and correcting poor postural habits can improve your shoulder function and reduce pain. Learning the right skills for your activity is important for preventing many shoulder injuries. Your physiotherapist is a movement expert who can prescribe specific exercises to improve your movement and posture.
Keep it loose.
Frozen shoulder is a debilitating and painful condition, which is a common complication of many shoulder injuries. Physiotherapists can help with pain relief and a faster recovery, and show you how to keep the shoulder moving through the full available range of motion to maintain optimal muscle balance around the shoulder girdle. Your physiotherapist can provide specific exercises to correct imbalances.
Get the right advice.
Shoulder dislocations, separations and instabilities require specialized rehabilitation to protect your injury and have you back to full activity. Consulting a physiotherapist can reduce the need for shoulder surgery; if you need surgery your physiotherapist will refer you to a physician.
To learn more about how physiotherapists keep British Columbians moving for life, visit movingforlife.ca.
