The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint formed by the head of the humerus (the arm bone) and the glenoid labrum (the name for the socket of the shoulder joint in the scapula). The shoulder joint is very mobile – allowing great freedom of movement for the arm (much more than the equivalent joint in the hip). This greater mobility means that the shoulder joint is less stable. The stability of the shoulder joint also relies a lot on the ‘rotator cuff muscles’ – four muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, teres minor) inserting around the shoulder joint that help move it, as well as providing stability. These muscles are a common source of pain. Shoulder pain is common, and rotator cuff problems are believed to be present in as many as 25% of those over the age of 50 –and can result from a number of conditions. Pain felt in the shoulder region does not necessarily mean that the pain is coming from the shoulder. The pain could be caused by neck problems, or referred from internal structures like the lungs, heart, or even the liver or gallbladder. Many times the fascial restrictions on any of these structures affects the movement of the shoulder, therefore causing pain.
The simplest solution to your shoulder pain may be myofascial release of the structures involved in the movement of your shoulder, as well as strengthening of the moving parts–especially the scapula!
If you are suffering from shoulder pain, the myofascial release practitioners at Balance Within Integrative Physical Therapy are here to help.
Call or email any of us with questions or schedule your appointment online today.

To your health & happiness,
Doctors Sarah and Jereme Trunk & The Balance Within PT Team (Jill & Megan too!)
262.264.8701
DoctorTrunk@BalanceWithinPT.com