Shoulder Pain

[tonywoodall]

The shoulder can be the most difficult to treat. Multiple diagnoses can be made, depending on the Physios experience.
If there was no direct trauma and assuming no condition like Rheumatoid arthritis, Gout etc, then it is likely that the problem is refered pain from the spine. In general, Anterior shoulder pain is from the upper Cervical spine, lateral pain is from the C6,7, T1 area and posterior pain from the C6 to T3 area. Often there is a upper Thoracic spine Kyphosis and a resultant Cervical Lordosis. Calcification of ligaments at the shoulder can result from a chronic condition and this may require surgery.

So the Physio may choose to mobilise and or manipulate the upper spine + or - the other Physio teatment modalities.

[neurospast]

The shoulder can be the most difficult to treat. Multiple diagnoses can be made, depending on the Physios experience.
If there was no direct trauma and assuming no condition like Rheumatoid arthritis, Gout etc, then it is likely that the problem is refered pain from the spine. In general, Anterior shoulder pain is from the upper Cervical spine, lateral pain is from the C6,7, T1 area and posterior pain from the C6 to T3 area. Often there is a upper Thoracic spine Kyphosis and a resultant Cervical Lordosis. Calcification of ligaments at the shoulder can result from a chronic condition and this may require surgery.

So the Physio may choose to mobilise and or manipulate the upper spine + or - the other Physio teatment modalities.

Dear Tonywoodall; could you please explain why you come to the conclusion that anterior shoulder upper C-spine thus C1-4 ( do you mean C3-C5?), lateral shoulder C6-T1 and Dorsal C6-T3? Is this based on innervation of the shoulder? What are your findings based on?