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FAST, EFFECTIVE HELP AND ADVICE FOR SHOULDER PAIN FROM YOUR PAIN AND INJURY SPECIALISTS, AT STATE 11, SPALDING

Neck pain can be an uncomfortable and distressing experience. It can also be linked to headaches and migraines, as well as back pain and shoulder pain. At State 11, we believe in helping you understand your neck pain, how you can treat it at home, and how we can help you get back to living again. 

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LEARN ABOUT SHOULDER PAIN, HOW TO TREAT SHOULDER PAIN, AND HOW STATE 11 SOFT TISSUE THERAPY CAN HELP YOU

Content written by Greg Pritchard, RAPID NeuroFascial Reset Specialist, BTEC L5 Soft Tissue Therapy (CSSM), MFHT

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To understand shoulder pain, it's really useful to understand what the shoulder actually is. 

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The shoulder joint is made up of three main bones: the humerus (the bone in the upper arm), the scapula (the shoulder blade in the back) and the clavicle (the collar bone in the chest). 

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These three bones join together in two main joints: the glenohumeral joint (where the humerus fits into the shallow socket of the scapula), and the acromioclavicular joint (where the clavicle meets the scapula). 

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The bones are connected together by ligaments that help stabilise the bones, along with muscles and tendons that provide stability and allow the arm and shoulder to have a wide range of motion, The name given to the main group of muscles is the rotator cuff. 

WHAT CAUSES SHOULDER PAIN?

Because it's such a complicated joint, there's many causes of shoulder pain, but they can be broken down into four main groups:

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  1. Shoulder Pain Caused By Injuries: The shoulder joint is made up of a number of bones, ligaments, muscles and tendons, and if any of them become injured, perhaps from a dislocation, a fracture, a tear or a sprain, then pain can result. 
     

  2. Shoulder Pain Caused By Overuse: Repetitive movements, perhaps through sport or work, can cause issues like tendinitis or bursitis, which in turn can result in pain in the shoulder joint. 
     

  3. Shoulder Pain Due To Poor Posture: Many people believe that slouching or hunching can cause shoulder pain. Adopting any posture for a short period of time - and then changing to a different posture - is unlikely to cause pain - but maintaining a particular posture for a prolonged period can strain the muscles of the shoulder, resulting in pain. 
     

  4. Shoulder Pain Due To Medical Conditions: Sometimes shoulder pain can be due to pre-existing medical conditions like arthritis, or conditions that develop over time, such as frozen shoulder. 

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HOW TO TREAT SHOULDER PAIN AT HOME

If you want to try treating your shoulder pain at home, then applying heat is a good first step for most types of shoulder pain. The advice about applying ice is now seen as outdated - you can find out more about why ice is no longer recommended on our page about the PEACE and LOVE protocol. Heat can feel extremely comforting for muscular shoulder pain. 

 

Depending on your own health and medical conditions, you may also want to consider using painkillers. Anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen can slow healing, but non-anti-inflammatories can still reduce pain. These should only be taken if you know you can take painkillers: if you're not sure, you should speak to your GP or pharmacist. 

 

Gentle stretching and movement can help reduce existing shoulder pain (depending on the cause) and potentially prevent other types of shoulder pain from worsening or even developing in the first place. There's plenty of resources online for shoulder exercises, or you could seek advice from an exercise professional like a personal trainer. 

 

Home kinesiology taping may also be worth considering. Taping can provide altered sensation, and a feeling of support across the joint, as well as potentially helping reduce inflammation and swelling. We recommend Sport Tape (use this link and the discount code VICTORIA10 for 10% off your first order), and there's plenty of videos available on YouTube about how to use taping on your shoulder. 

Nutrition and hydration can also be important when it comes to dealing with shoulder pain. As medical understanding of inflammatory pain improves, there seems to more and more links between good nutrition and better joint health. 

WHEN TO SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP FOR YOUR SHOULDER PAIN

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The NHS online suggests that most soft tissue injury will reduce over around twelve weeks without intervention, however this can be a long time to wait, especially if your shoulder pain is severe.

 

You may choose to see a GP for your shoulder pain. Depending on your symptoms, you may find yourself being prescribed stronger, prescription only painkillers or referred to NHS physiotherapy, either at your surgery or over the phone. 

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If you decide to seek further, private help, or feel dissatisfied with NHS treatment, here at State 11 we offer personalised, professional treatment for shoulder pain at our private clinic in Spalding, Lincolshire. 

We help people with shoulder pain using a variety of techniques including sports massage, kinesiology taping, active cupping and the revolutionary RAPID NeuroFascial Reset therapy. We're proud to be one of a handful of clinics in the UK that have RAPID NeuroFascial Reset Specialist status. 

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY:
REAL REVIEWS FROM PEOPLE LIKE YOU!

Vicci says:

After having 7-8 weeks of ongoing lower back issues…Greg has worked his magic with two sessions. He is very friendly and makes you feel at home, highly recommend 5* thank you

Sally says:

Went to Greg with calf pain. I'm a runner and rest frustrates me . Greg treated me and gave advice. I left feeling I could run..albeit steady...I've improved gradually over a couple of weeks. Love the practical advice and no hard sell.

I debated a follow up appointment but turned out it wasn't necessary...Greg still gave advice and support . Tonight I got my best 10k time. I've recommended and will continue to do so. Thank you!!

Mandy says:

State 11 have been my go to for a couple of years now with regards to dealing with chronic autoimmune disease pain. I have neglected myself for the last six months and went to get some treatment, I can honestly say that I am 90% better then when I walked in and already I can tell that I slept better. Thank you Greg. I can’t recommend State 11 enough if you have pain go see them!!!

Click here to read more client testimonials. 

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