What is a rotator cuff tendinopathy?
The term tendinopathy refers to pain related to a tendon. Rotator cuff tendinopathy is pain in the shoulder, affecting the muscles that have the role of stabilizing the shoulder joint during movement. The pain can develop following a traumatic injury such as a fall on the shoulder or gradually such as with repetitive movements.
What are the symptoms?
Aside from pain, one may also experience decreased mobility in the shoulder, as well as decreased muscle strength/endurance in the affected arm.
What are the possible treatments in physiotherapy?
First, the physiotherapist will identify all the areas that could contribute to your problem. For example, neck or thoracic stiffness can affect the biomechanics of the shoulder, which changes the muscle contraction of this region and puts these rotator cuff tendons under more tension. Then, it is important to undertake an exercise program to mobilize the shoulder and strengthen the muscles, in order to reduce pain and regain the functional capacity of the shoulder. Also, the physiotherapist will give you advice to optimize your workstation and your execution of movements to prevent re-injury.
What are the possible chiropractic treatments?
As explained above, during a tendinopathy of the shoulder, we frequently observe an imbalance in the general mechanics of the shoulder. In chiropractic, we work on rebalancing tensions. The chiropractor will then work to improve the function of the part of the nervous system that controls the movements of the shoulder so that these can have neuromuscular control favoring the healing of the condition. We will also work the muscles involved in shoulder tendinopathy.
What are the possible treatments in kinesiology?
The exercise program worked in kinesiology will be adapted according to the patient’s condition in the case of shoulder tendinopathy.
What are the possible treatments in massage therapy?
In the presence of tendinopathy, the role of the massage therapist is to work with the client to further reduce inflammation. In order to improve blood flow to the joint and increase range of motion, we will aim to relax the musculature around the inflammatory site. In addition, we can work in prevention to identify the causes and reduce the risk of any other problem recurring.
What are the possible treatments in osteopathy?
Osteopathy takes into account the functional unity of the human body. In order to address shoulder tendinopathy, the entire thoracic cylinder will be observed and normalized, both with a musculoskeletal approach and a visceral approach. For example, normalizing a spasmed thoracic diaphragm to revive optimal abdominal breathing, could harmonize a shoulder rolled forward and thus release its tensions.
Finishing touch : acupuncture
If your pain is greatly improved with your treatment combining the techniques above, there is always the last 5% of pain that may not go away. Acupuncture can help you skip this last step and relieve residual discomfort.
-
Cindy Luo
Physiotherapist
-
Dr Frédérick Bériault
Chiropractor
-
Valérie Giroux
Kinesiologist
-
Bianca Villeneuve
Massothérapeute
-
Mélissa Laroche
Osteopath
-
Zhen Li
Acupuncturist