Shoulder Pain – Your Ultimate Partner for Stronger, Pain-Free Shoulders

It often starts very gradually, but now your shoulder is causing clear, noticeable pain.

Especially when lifting your arm to grab a glass from the kitchen cupboard. Or when taking off your bra. Or when pulling up your trousers. Or when putting on a jacket. Or when brushing your hair. And eventually, it starts waking you up at night – especially if you accidentally roll onto the affected side. Sometimes the pain peaks just before and just after reaching shoulder height when raising your arm to the side. However, once your hand is fully above your head, the pain often eases up again.

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. That is because the shoulder complex 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 the functional mobility of the thoracic spine. Even your internal organs and their fascial attachments, especially the diaphragm, can influence shoulder pain. For the shoulder complex to function at its absolute best, perfect interaction between all these individual joints is essential.

The root of shoulder pain often lies in a dysfunctional movement pattern, the involved joints, or a muscular imbalance. This can stem from various causes – a fall or impact, poor posture, too little exercise, or even too much exercise...

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

Ultimately, the initial cause doesn't matter. At BodyLab | Osteopathy and Physiotherapy | Rehabilitation and Training | Zurich Altstetten, you are absolutely in the right place.

After a holistic assessment to get to the root of your problem, we will decide whether you are better off with the osteopath or in physiotherapy. Most of the time, however, a combined approach is the key to success, or we may bring in further assessments and specialists.

If the pain is caused by blockages in the thoracic spine (T-spine) or shortened muscles and fascia in the chest and abdominal area, which can lead to postural issues, treatment by the osteopath will be the primary focus at the start. Using specific mobilization and manipulation of the thoracic spine, as well as fascial techniques, blockages are released and tissue mobility is fully restored.

In parallel, the physiotherapist starts building up your active recovery. With targeted exercises for the shoulder and core, as well as fascia training, we work on your mobility, stability, and strength. Depending on your needs, the physiotherapist can also help manage your pain using additional tailored techniques, such as Dry Needling.

What do you need to bring? A little patience. And, if possible, dedication and motivation. You've got this, and you will get better.

Whenever you need us, we are here for you!

Your BodyLab Team, your shoulder specialists

Osteopathy and Physiotherapy | Rehabilitation and Training

Zurich Altstetten