Physiotherapy for shoulder impingement syndrome aims to reduce the problems caused by the syndrome, especially the pain and constriction of the tendons and tissues. Specific exercises are used to ensure that the head of humerus no longer pinches the tissues, tendons and ligaments below the acromion, thus creating more space. By building up certain muscle groups in the glenohumeral joint, more stability and better guidance is provided. Cryotherapy or shock wave therapy can also be possible therapy approaches in the physiotherapeutic treatment of shoulder impingement syndrome. Which form is chosen depends on the individual and is usually decided by the doctor and physiotherapist in consultation with the patient.
Physiotherapy for shoulder impingement syndrome
As already indicated, the goal of physiotherapeutic treatment is primarily to get a grip on pain and movement restrictions and to build up the musculature (especially the rotator cuff). The main problem with shoulder impingement syndrome is that the space between the acromion and the humeral head is too small, which squeezes and damages the structures in between. The so-called rotator cuff of the shoulder joint includes 4 main muscles that fix the upper arm in the shoulder joint.
For successful treatment, it is therefore important to train the muscles that pull the head of humerus downwards so that the space under the acromion is increased. For this purpose, the physiotherapist will provide the patient with appropriate exercises, which will lead to an improvement of the symptoms if performed regularly. Furthermore, it is important to train the shoulder guidance, since this is often disturbed in an impingement syndrome.
Mainly responsible for this are humerus and collarbone. In the case of a shoulder injury, the collarbone usually moves more than is normally necessary. To correct this, it is important to train the muscles that guide the collarbone as well as the straightening of the thoracic spine.
You can find exercises for this in the article Exercises against a hunchback. In addition to these active physiotherapeutic measures, there are also passive therapy approaches in which the movements are mainly performed by the treating physiotherapist and the patient himself remains passive. These include manual therapy, in which the shoulder joint is mobilized, but also measures such as heat or electrotherapy, trigger point massage and classical massage can be applied.
How the physiotherapeutic treatment plan for shoulder impingement syndrome looks like is decided individually for each patient, since several factors play a role. These include the age of the patient, general health, any previous illnesses and the type and extent of the injury. The article “Shoulder Impingement Syndrome Pain” provides comprehensive information on this topic.
Furthermore, it is important to train the shoulder guidance, as this is often disturbed in an impingement syndrome. This is mainly due to the humerus and collarbone. In the case of a shoulder injury, the collarbone usually moves more than is normally necessary.
To correct this, it is important to train the muscles that guide the collarbone as well as the straightening of the thoracic spine. You can find exercises for this in the article Exercises against a hunchback. In addition to these active physiotherapeutic measures, there are also passive therapy approaches in which the movements are mainly performed by the treating physiotherapist and the patient himself remains passive.
These include manual therapy, in which the shoulder joint is mobilized, but also measures such as heat or electrotherapy, trigger point massage and classical massage can be applied. How the physiotherapeutic treatment plan for shoulder impingement syndrome looks like is decided individually for each patient, since several factors play a role. These include the age of the patient, general health, any previous illnesses and the type and extent of the injury.
