Trigger Point Therapy - Shoulder Impingement

 

Posted by Judith Winer on Dec 09, 2016

Rotator cuff (or shoulder) impingement syndrome is a very common cause of shoulder pain and can be a precursor to tendonitis or a more serious tear in the rotator cuff.

A shoulder impingement occurs when the tendons of the rotator cuff become impinged as they pass through the narrow bony space called the subacromial space within the shoulder joint.

The impingement, or restriction, irritates the tendons causing inflammation and pain. As the inflammation causes swelling of the tendons, the restriction increases, and so too does the rubbing and pain in the tendons. 

Without rest and treatment this cycle continues until the tendon begins to get rubbed and can eventually be torn apart.

John Gibbons - Techniques for treating shoulder impingement

Risk Factors

People who undertake repetitive motions with their arms raised are most likely to suffer from this. Sports such as swimming or tennis, or occupations such as painting and decorating, working in a warehouse, and nursing increase the likelihood of developing this syndrome. 

Sleeping with an arm in an upright position and smoking are also significant risk factors.

Symptoms

With impingement syndrome the pain is persistent throughout the day and will affect everyday activities. Simple things like reaching up behind the back or overhead are likely to cause pain.

Early Intervention

Left untreated, impingement syndrome may result in rotator cuff tendonitis and inflammation of the bursa. 

Left untreated for a long period of time, the rotator cuff tendons can be worn away by the constant rubbing so that they thin and may tear completely, leading to other complications. 

Treating the condition in the early stages is a much simpler and quicker solution. Many people try to just “work through” the pain. This means that other areas of the body will take the strain and muscles will be used outside of their normal capacity to compensate. 

Biceps ruptures are not unknown as a side effect of a shoulder impingement.

Trigger Points

Impingement often results in the formation of trigger points in the rotator cuff muscles, which remain for some time even after the impingement has cleared. 

Trigger points can occur quite quickly, with causes ranging from the ball of the joint being pressed on to the cuff tendon through sleeping awkwardly, to a tweak to the tendon during an overhead shot in tennis.

Actions such as these can cause a small amount of swelling and pain, which can cause temporary muscle inhibition in order to protect the shoulder, increasing the risk of further injury from a change in the abduction cycle.

Trigger points will commonly develop in the broad flat bellies of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles, and the middle fibers of the thick trapezius muscle.