In addition to the low back, the shoulder is one of the most common sites of pain. The shoulder consists of several different joints and many muscles, tendons and ligaments all working together to provide a balance between stability and mobility. Because of its complexity, it is common to feel pain resulting from poor posture, faulty movement patterns or an imbalance of strength in the muscles. Conditions such as rotator cuff tear/sprain, impingement syndrome, adhesive capsulitis and bursitis are often seen. Elbow, wrist or even hand pain can result from a dysfunction of the shoulder or scapular region. Any patient coming in to physical therapy with complaints of pain anywhere in upper extremity including tennis or golfer’s elbow, carpal tunnel or wrist pain, receives a thorough evaluation including the shoulder, scapula and even spine.
