12/03/2025
Did you know that the shoulder joint is capable of a wider and more varied range of motion than any other joint in the human body? Because of it's extraordinary flexibility it has allowed us to do a variety of movements with our bodies!
But because it is so flexible, it also tends to be unstable. This can result in injuries requiring surgery or physical therapy. There are several factors involved in shoulder disorders such as the aging process (*disuse and atrophy), strain and overuse and trauma.
When aging is part of the injury, a common condition tends to be tendinitis. For younger people, this rarely requires treatment. But as we enter middle age and older, tendinitis can result in more serious ailments.
Strain and overuse tends to result in rotator cuff injuries, bursitis, frozen shoulder, dislocation and impingements.
Lastly trauma comes in two varieties: microtrauma and macrotrauma. Microtrauma is common in everyday life, occurring from lifting overstuffed luggage or straining to grab an item just out out of reach. Macrotrauma results from violent force, with falls and sports injuries being the most common.
Whether your injury requires a physician's care or not, physical therapy will likely be a part of the shoulder's rehabilitation process. The sooner you are able to safely move following the injury, the less the muscles will weaken and atrophy, therefore promoting a healthy healing process. Through proper exercises, strengthening and stretching, our physical therapists can help you prevent further injuries from occurring!
