Shoulder Pain - Your Partner in Solving Shoulder Issues

It often starts very slowly, but now the shoulder hurts noticeably.

Especially when lifting the arm to get a glass from the kitchen cabinet. Or when taking off a bra. Or pulling up pants. Or putting on a jacket. Or brushing your hair. And then eventually at night too – especially if you accidentally lie on the affected side. Sometimes the pain is greatest shortly before or after shoulder height when abducting the arm. However, once the hand is overhead, the pain is not as intense.

Braus, Hermann, Braus 1921 147, marked as public domain, details on Wikimedia Commons

The shoulder is one of the most complex joints in our body. The shoulder joint includes not only the glenohumeral joint but also the scapulothoracic gliding space, the acromiohumeral joint, the acromioclavicular joint, and the sternoclavicular joint, as well as, functionally, the mobility of the thoracic spine. But even the internal organs and their fascial suspension, especially the diaphragm, can have an impact on shoulder pain. For optimal function of the shoulder complex, a perfect interaction between all these individual joints is important.

The origin of shoulder pain is often in a dysfunction of the movement process and the involved joints, as well as an imbalance of the muscles. This can have various causes – a fall or impact; posture; too little exercise; too much exercise...

Braus, Hermann, Braus 1921 148, marked as public domain, details on Wikimedia Commons

Basically, it doesn’t matter at first what the cause is. At BodyLab | Osteopathy and Physiotherapy | Rehabilitation and Training | Zurich, you’re definitely in the right place.

After a holistic assessment to get to the root of your problem, it's decided whether you are better off with an osteopath or in physiotherapy. Often, however, a joint approach is taken, or further investigations and specialists are involved.

If the pain comes from blockages of the thoracic spine (TSP) or shortening of the muscles and fasciae in the chest and abdominal area, which can lead to postural problems, treatment by the osteopath is prioritized initially. Specific mobilization and manipulation of the TSP, as well as fascial techniques, are used to resolve blockages and restore tissue mobility.

In parallel, the physiotherapist starts with active building exercises. With targeted exercises for shoulder and trunk, as well as fascia training, we work on mobility, stability, and strength. Depending on the need, the physiotherapist can influence the pain with additional adapted techniques, such as dry needling.

What should you bring? A little patience. And if possible, diligence and motivation. But it will get better.

If you need us, we're here for you!

Your BodyLab Team

Osteopathy and Physiotherapy | Rehabilitation and Training

Zurich Altstetten