Shoulder Pain is a common musculoskeletal complaint that can be related to the shoulder itself, the surround structures (neck, ribs, thoracic spine), or referred from various organs (heart, lung, liver, gal bladder, etc.). From a medical perspective common causes of shoulder pain include:
- Adhesive Capsulitis
- Impingement Syndrome
- Rotator cuff strain and/or tears
- Anterior instability of the shoulder
- Cervical Radiculopathy
- Bursitis
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
- Referred Pain
Somatic Dysfunction of structures of the neck, thoracic spine, ribs, clavicle, humerus, and the associated muscles and ligaments can be a significant cause of shoulder pain in the absence of the above diagnoses or in conjunction with another diagnosis.
OMT can be a valuable treatment for shoulder pain as a stand alone treatment or in conjunction with other modalities such as injections, anti-inflammatories, physical therapy, or even surgery. Osteopathic Manipulation focuses on removing restrictions and restoring range of motion the the joints, ligaments, soft tissues, and viscera related to the shoulder. Removing mechanical restrictions can help restore normal motion and lead to decreased pain. Often times there are muscle weaknesses and imbalances associated with shoulder pain that should be addressed with exercises and/or physical therapy.
Below are some resources that may be valuable for understanding osteopathic diagnostic and treatment approaches for shoulder pain.
