Have you found that it’s becoming more difficult to reach behind your back? Are you experiencing pain, aching or restriction when you comb your hair? If you are, you could be suffering from a rotator cuff injury.
The shoulder is the joint in our body that has the largest range of motion and, by necessity, it is inherently unstable. The ball of the joint is much larger than the shallow socket that contains it, and it is the ligaments and the four muscles that surround it—the rotator cuff—that keep it stable.
A rotator cuff injury is common in those who play sports or have professions in which they spend time with their arms over their heads. Golfers are particularly prone to this kind of injury, as are swimmers, and it’s an injury that the British Journal of Sports Medicine estimates up to 30% of people will suffer from at some point in their lives. According to research conducted by the University of Saarland Medical School in Germany, the likelihood of rotator cuff tears becomes significantly higher as we age.
Typically described as a dull ache, deep in the shoulder, a rotator cuff injury can disturb your sleep— especially if you lie on the injured shoulder—and can leave your arm feeling weak. It can noticeably restrict motion too, and that’s what makes it harder to reach behind your back or comb your hair.
If these symptoms sounds familiar, then pop in and see an osteopath at Relinque Sports and Spinal Group. We’ll listen to your symptoms, chat to you about your medical history, and assess the way you move. Then we’ll make a diagnosis and begin treatment.
So don’t shoulder the burden of pain on your own. Call us on 03 9499 9644 and book an appointment.
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