Physiotherapy for shoulder-arm syndrome

In shoulder-arm syndrome, physiotherapy aims to combat the cause of the problem and alleviate the patient’s symptoms. Since the causes can be of very different nature, the form of therapy chosen can vary from patient to patient. The techniques used include massages, to relax tense muscle groups in the shoulder and neck area, cold, heat or electrotherapy, movement therapy and a plan of exercises tailored to the individual patient for posture correction, mobilization, stretching and muscle relaxation. So what exactly the physiotherapeutic treatment plan for shoulder-arm syndrome looks like is individual to each patient.

Therapy

Therapy or the treatment of shoulder-arm syndrome always depends on the severity and cause of the disease. For example, it may be possible that the use of painkilling medication is sufficient for mild symptoms. In more severe forms of the disease, surgery may be necessary under certain circumstances.

As a rule, however, conservative treatment is sufficient to get the problems under control. The various forms of therapy are cause-dependent, i.e. the treatment depends on the cause. Vertebral blockages Physiotherapy, chiropractic therapy and osteopathy can also be good therapeutic approaches here.

  1. Vertebral blockages Physiotherapy, chirotherapy and osteopathy can also be good therapeutic approaches here.

Exercises

For the treatment of shoulder-arm syndrome, various exercises are used in physiotherapy to provide relief for the patient and correct incorrect posture if necessary. After initial instruction, the exercises can be performed by the patients themselves at home. Stretching of the shoulder-neck area Move to a corner of the room with the face towards the corner.

Place your feet together and then place your forearms against the wall on both sides. Your elbow should remain below the shoulder. Now bend towards the corner as far as you can without pain.

You should feel a stretch in your shoulders and chest. Hold this position for 30 seconds. The exercise can be done 3-5 times a day.

Mobilization of the shoulder-neck area Stand with your back against a wall or door frame. Your feet should be about 5-10cm away from the wall. Tilt your chin slightly towards your chest and then move your head towards the wall/door.

Hold the head against the wall/door for 10 seconds. Repeat the exercise 10 times. Mobilization of shoulders, neck and arms Stand with your back against the wall.

The feet are shoulder width apart and about 10cm from the wall. Now try to press your back and head lightly against the wall. Stretch your arms out to the side and touch the wall with your arms, hands and fingers.

From this starting position, move your arms along the wall up over your head and back again. Throughout the exercise, all the above-mentioned parts of your body remain in contact with the wall. Repeat the exercise 5-10 times.

Relaxation of the shoulder muscles and the muscles of the upper back Lie on your back with bent legs. The surface should be relatively hard and stable (do not perform in bed). Now, from this position, stretch your arms vertically upwards.

When breathing in, stretch your right arm towards the ceiling so that your shoulder is raised off the floor. You should now feel a slight stretch, hold it for a few seconds and then let your arm sink again when breathing out. Then change sides.

3 repetitions per side.

  1. Stretch the shoulder-neck area Move to a corner of the room with the face to the corner. Place your feet together and then place your forearms left and right against the wall.

    Your elbow should remain below the shoulder. Now bend towards the corner as far as you can without pain. You should feel a stretch in your shoulders and chest.

    Hold this position for 30 seconds. The exercise can be done 3-5 times a day.

  2. Mobilization of the shoulder-neck area Stand with your back against a wall or door frame. The feet should be about 5-10cm away from the wall.

    Tilt your chin slightly towards your chest and then move your head towards the wall/door. Hold the head against the wall/door for 10 seconds. Repeat the exercise 10 times.

  3. Mobilization of shoulders, neck and arms Stand with your back against the wall.The feet are shoulder width apart and about 10cm from the wall.

    Now try to press your back and head slightly against the wall. Stretch your arms out to the side and touch the wall with your arms, hands and fingers. From this starting position, move your arms along the wall up over your head and back again.

    Throughout the exercise, all the above-mentioned parts of your body remain in contact with the wall. Repeat the exercise 5-10 times.

  4. Relaxation of the shoulder muscles and the muscles of the upper back Lie on your back with bent legs. The pad should be relatively hard and stable (do not perform in bed).

    Now, from this position, stretch your arms vertically upwards. When breathing in, stretch your right arm towards the ceiling so that your shoulder is raised off the floor. You should now feel a slight stretch, hold it for a few seconds and then let your arm sink again when breathing out. Then change sides. 3 repetitions per side.