Posture Could Be the Culprit Behind Your Shoulder Pain
No one likes dealing with shoulder pain. The discomfort and immobility can prevent you from doing daily activities like grabbing something off a high shelf or reaching up to brush your hair. So, when your shoulder starts hurting, it’s important to figure out why.
Often, shoulder pain stems from an injury. For example, take rotator cuff tears, in which the muscles and tendons that wrap the shoulder become damaged: these injuries are common and can result from a sudden traumatic injury like a fall or develop gradually.
However, sometimes, shoulder pain might not have such a clear-cut cause. One of our patients learned this for herself–we’ll call her Diana. She was dealing with persistent shoulder pain and couldn’t figure out why. Fortunately, the physical therapists at Rebound Fitness & Rehabilitation were on the case.
And the culprit? It turned out to be Diana’s posture.
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Meet Diana, Receptionist Extraordinaire
Diana had worked as a receptionist and administrative assistant for years. She enjoyed her work, but it did require her to spend long hours sitting in front of a computer as she sifted through spreadsheets and calendar appointments.
Her issues with shoulder pain began gradually. They had always been a little stiff, but the restricted range of motion had worsened in the last few months. She also noticed tightness in her chest and twinges of pain throughout her shoulders and neck.
Diana tried to ignore her symptoms at first, thinking they’d eventually go away on their own. Instead, they became more frequent, worsening enough that Diana struggled to sit at her desk long enough to get any work done. That was when she came to visit us.
Our Physical Therapists Were on the Case
As always, we started Diana with a comprehensive assessment to help us understand the root cause of her discomfort. We took a health history, talked to her about potential injuries, and conducted several movement screens–including a postural screen.
The postural screen was where we made headway. After reviewing Diana’s posture while she was sitting, standing up, and moving around, we noticed the following:
- She held her head forward in relation to her shoulders, a stance called “forward head posture.”
- She tended to round her shoulders, giving her slight kyphosis, or a hunched posture, in her upper back.
- Her shoulder blades were protracted away from her spine.
The signs were clear: Diana had developed upper cross syndrome.
Upper cross syndrome is a condition marked by postural changes that have a waterfall effect throughout the body. Diana’s postural impairments had impacted the muscles in her upper back and shoulder girdle. As a result, the movement in her upper body became impaired, leading to her pain and mobility restrictions.
How to Improve Your Posture at Work
One study found that the average person spends a third of their life at work–so if you’re looking to improve your health and wellness, you need to take your job into consideration!
Unfortunately, many jobs can make this challenging. They force you into prolonged postures or require you to perform repetitive movements–both of which can strain your musculoskeletal system.
At Rebound Fitness & Rehabilitation, our physical therapists can work with you to find solutions to any work-related concerns. Here are a few of the things we might suggest:
- Find your ideal posture. An ideal posture is one in which your spine rests in its natural alignment, whether sitting, standing, or moving around. This is something we can help you discover!
- Take frequent breaks. As the saying goes, “Your best posture is your next posture.” Find ways to move your body throughout the day. If you work an office job, this can be as simple as getting up every 30-40 minutes for five minutes. But even if you have a job that requires you to stand for long periods (such as retail or factory work), you still need to take breaks. Shift your weight, put a leg on a bench, or do some quick stretches–we can help you find quick, simple ways to move.
- Pay attention to ergonomics: The field of ergonomics focuses on improving your working environment for comfort and efficiency. Make sure your workstation (whether a chair and desk or a workbench) is the right height for your body. Use adaptive equipment as necessary. Our team can provide all the guidance you need!
Meet Our Team
Colleen Levitz
MS, PT
Jianrong Hong
PT, DPT
Stephanie Berman
ATC, General Manager
Sam Lodygowski
M.Ed, LAT, ATC
Rennie Stefani
MS, CSCS
Greg Cadichon
ATC, LAT, Founder and Director, Rebound Fitness & Rehabilitation, Inc.
Is Your Posture Causing You Pain?
Diana learned just how important posture is. If you’re struggling with persistent shoulder pain, call the team at Rebound Fitness & Rehabilitation. We’ll dig down to the source–and give you the guidance you need to correct the issue.
Ask a PT
Welcome to our “Ask a PT” feature! This is your go-to spot in the newsletter to get real answers to everyday questions about the body, movement, and feeling your best. Whether you’re dealing with an injury, wondering how to stay active, or just curious about how physical therapy works, our team of physical therapists is ready to help. Each month we’ll share responses, tips, and answers based on questions from you, so if there’s something you’ve been wondering about, don’t be shy! Send it in – we’d love to hear from you!
Q: How long does it take for my injury to heal?
A: Injuries vary in timeline, but the main variables in outcomes are usually for damaged tissue to heal in about 6-8 weeks while building the muscle strength, flexibility, and movement technique that will protect the injured area.
Recipe of the Month: Chicken Caesar Wrap
Ingredients:
For the Toasty Panko Croutons
- ½ cup panko bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Tahini Caesar Dressing
- ⅓ cup tahini
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons water
- kosher salt
For the Wrap
- 1 bunch Tuscan kale ribs removed and shredded
- 1 whole romaine heart shredded
- 3 tablespoons Everything but the Bagel Seasoning
- 2 ripe avocados cut into large wedges
- 2 chicken breasts seasoned with salt and pepper and grilled
- 4 tortillas
Instructions:
- Place the olive oil and butter in a small skillet over medium high heat. Add the panko and toast until golden. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
- Combine the ingredients for the Tahini Caesar Dressing in a small blender and set aside.
- Combine the shredded kale and lettuce in a large bowl. Drizzle a few tablespoons of the dressing along with the toasted panko, the everything seasoning and the chopped grilled chicken. Toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning and dressing.
- Place a heaping portion into 2 tortillas and wrap and roll. Slice on a diagonal and serve.
