top of page

Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain is a common issue that affects millions of people around the world. It can be a result of an injury or strain to the shoulder joint or the muscles and tendons surrounding it. It can also be the result of sensitization of the surrounding nerve endings. The best shoulder tests are only about 50% accurate at determining if there is damage to a shoulder.


Shoulder pain can be debilitating and affect one's daily activities. In this blog post, we will discuss how to relieve shoulder pain. We will also talk about the benefits of strength training, why surgery is not always the best option, and the role of pain science in treating shoulder pain.

The Role of Strength Training in Relieving Shoulder Pain

Strength training can be an effective way to relieve shoulder pain. This goes back to our understanding that Reducing Threat, Increasing confidence and Building capacity are how we heal. Strengthening the muscles around the shoulder joint can help provide support and stability to the joint, reducing the risk of injury and pain. Some exercises that can help in building shoulder strength include shoulder presses, rows, and lateral raises. However, it is important to start with light weights and gradually increase the weight as you get stronger. This is called load progression. We also may modify exercises to make sure we aren't creating bad habits in the nervous system by continually ringing the pain bell. If these steps are skipped we tend to develop compensations or avoid certain movements all together.

Why Surgery is Not Always the Best Option

Surgery is not always the best option when it comes to shoulder pain. There are absolutely times when surgery is useful. However many times it has worse outcomes than non surgical solutions. While surgery may be necessary in some cases, it should not be the first line of treatment.. Surgery comes with its own set of risks and complications, and recovery can take a long time. After the age of 50 it has a 50/50 chance of re-tear within 5 years. In some cases, surgery may not even completely alleviate the pain, leaving you with the same problem as before but with months of rehabilitation and extensive medical debt.

The Role of Pain Science in Treating Shoulder Pain

Pain science is a relatively new field that aims to understand the complexities of chronic pain. It is based on the idea that pain is not just a physical sensation, but also a psychological and emotional experience. Pain science takes a holistic approach to treating pain and focuses on educating patients about the nature of their pain and how to manage it. This approach can be particularly effective in treating chronic shoulder pain, as it can help patients understand the underlying causes of their pain and develop strategies to manage it.

How Accelerate beats your shoulder pain.


At Accelerate we break this down into decrease threat, increase confidence and build capacity. That means reducing pain by decreasing inflammatory response reducing pain stretch signals into the brain as well as progressively loading the joint. By modifying painful movements we allow the person to continue with their exercise program while exposing the brain and joint to safe movements. We load and strengthen the body in any movement that does not hurt. All the while trying to slowly expose it to threatening stimulus by either decreasing the pain, the load, the duration the direction. We can also use technology, like direct current and/or laser to override that threat signal so that the brain takes the parking brakes off the offensive joint. We want to begin to make therapy look like training as quickly as possible. If we can do that, then typically we can make improvements much faster.

What this means for you?

Shoulder pain can be a debilitating condition that affects one's daily life. While surgery may be necessary in some cases, it should not be the first line of treatment. Strength training, physical therapy, and pain management techniques can be effective in providing relief from shoulder pain. Additionally, understanding the role of pain science in treating pain can be helpful in developing a long-term strategy for managing chronic shoulder pain. Remember to always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any exercise or treatment program.

Comments


bottom of page