Shoulder impingement
Shoulder impingement is a very common cause of shoulder pain, where a tendon (band of tissue) inside your shoulder rubs or catches on nearby tissue and bone as you lift your arm. It often affects the rotator cuff tendon. Clients with shoulder impingement usually experience general stiffness and throbbing in the shoulder. This type of pain may resemble that of a toothache, rather than the tearing pain of an injured muscle. Signs of shoulder impingement include:
- pain in the top and outer side of your shoulder
- pain that’s worse when you lift your arm, especially when you lift it above your head.
- pain or aching of your shoulder at night, which can affect your sleep.
- weakness in your arm.
Treatment that assists shoulder impingement includes:
- Ice should be applied to the shoulder for 20 minutes once or twice a day. (A bag of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel works well).
- A common sense approach to activities is helpful. Avoid activities in which you need to frequently reach overhead or behind your back. These motions usually makes shoulders with impingement syndrome worse. Stop activities that involve these motions until your pain improves.
- Massage
