05/12/2025
🌿 SHOULDER PAIN EXPLAINED
Shoulder pain is often linked to impingement, occurs when structures in the shoulder joint are compressed or irritated. Here’s a quick breakdown of types of shoulder impingement:
1. Primary External Impingement:
Compression of rotator cuff tendons and the subacromial bursa between the humeral head and acromion.
Common in repetitive overhead activities.
2. Secondary External Impingement:
Related to shoulder instability or abnormal movement.
Often caused by muscle imbalances, weakness or poor scapular control.
3. Internal Impingement:
Compression inside the shoulder joint affecting rotator cuff tendons (articular side).
Seen in athletes performing repetitive overhead motions, like throwers.
Referred Pain, shoulder pain can sometimes come from the spine.
Cervical Spine: Conditions like cervical radiculopathy, herniated discs or foraminal stenosis.
Muscles involved: trapezius, levator scapulae, rhomboids.
Nerves: brachial plexus and cervical nerves.
Thoracic Spine: Less common, associated with thoracic disc herniation or nerve compression.
Muscles involved: trapezius, rhomboids.
Nerves: thoracic spinal nerves.
Neural Involvement - Compression or irritation of the brachial plexus can cause pain, tingling or numbness radiating to the shoulder and arm.
Understanding the source of your shoulder pain is key to proper treatment and recovery!
