This article has been kindly shared by Alison Richmond from Provention.
Shoulder injuries are common in the ‘aging’ workforce and often result in considerable time off work and a lengthy (and frustrating) road to recovery for the individual concerned.
Pain, in or around the shoulder, may be complex to diagnose due to the interplay between all of the structures that constitute the shoulder ‘girdle’ (neck, thoracic spine, scapula, clavicle, gleno-humeral joint, rotator cuff, etc). Damage or disruption to any of these components will typically cause ‘misalignment’ and dysfunction of the whole shoulder complex.
A common and often overlooked contributor to shoulder pain is the thoracic spine, which runs from the base of the neck down to the bottom of the ribs.
When individuals perform repetitive reaching or above shoulder height activities, with limited mobility in the thoracic spine, it alters the position of the shoulder girdle, which, over time may lead to rotator cuff injuries, bursitis, impingements and neck pain.
Reduced mobility in the thoracic spine is common in the ‘modern world.’ As a population, we spend too much time sitting and/or in forward postures: such as bending, reaching, and lifting. Insufficient time is spent ‘undoing the effects’ of these movements and postures.
When you spend too much time in one position, some muscle groups and joints get ‘tight,’ while others get weak and the body no longer moves as it should; predisposing to strain and injury.
Maintaining mobility and strength in the thoracic spine has benefits, not just limited to the health of the shoulder, but also to the general health and function of many other parts of your musculoskeletal system.
Here are links to x2 simple exercises to target mobility in the thoracic spine; useful to prevent shoulder injuries and assist if you already have shoulder pain.
As always, work within your comfort zone and consult a healthcare professional if your symptoms do not improve with self-care.
Shared from Provention – Shoulder injuries in the Aging Workforce │ Provention
