Tapes

Kinesio tapes (short for kinesiology, movement theory) are supposed to help against tension, relieve pain and improve movement restrictions. The joint function is supported (augmentation) and compression can reduce swelling. The tape strips are made of cotton and are coated with an acrylic adhesive which ensures a firm adhesion to the skin.The tapes are available in rolls or in pre-cut lengths for specific body parts.

They can be applied individually or in combination to the shoulder, following the course of muscles, ligaments or nerves. The strips are stretched according to the desired effect. As a rule, the taping is done by physiotherapists who are specially trained for this purpose. Patients who acquire knowledge of the anatomical structures can also learn certain taping methods themselves. However, it is advisable to learn the correct method from a specialist in any case, as otherwise the complaints may be even more severe.

Exercises

Simple complaints in the shoulder (pain, restricted movement) are often caused by insufficiently trained or tense muscles. In this case, certain exercises can help to loosen, strengthen and stretch the muscles and thus alleviate the complaints quickly. However, there are many other possible causes for shoulder complaints (osteoarthritis, bony damage, entrapment, etc.).

In case of doubt, a doctor should always be consulted to confirm that training to strengthen the muscles is the right way to go. In addition, the correct posture and correct execution of the exercises should always be observed when performing them. For this reason, it is recommended that untrained people first consult a professional trainer or physiotherapist.

To stretch the shoulders, stand upright, the legs should be placed hip-wide. The head should be kept straight, looking forward. Now circle your shoulders forward 5 times, inhaling as you raise your shoulders and exhaling slowly as you lower them.

Then circle the shoulders backwards 5 times. When pulling the shoulders, the shoulders are first pulled up towards the ears and held briefly before they are slowly lowered again. This exercise is also repeated 5 times, paying attention to a breathing rhythm.

To strengthen the shoulders, an exercise can be performed in a four-footed position. To do this, a blanket or mat is used as a support and the knees are bent 90° so that they are placed under the hips. The hands are placed under the shoulder.

Head and back form a line, looking down to the floor. The right arm is now slowly brought into a horizontal position while exhaling, with the thumb pointing up and the fingers pointing forward. When inhaling, the arm is led back, but before touching the floor it is led back into the horizontal.

The exercise is repeated 5 times and then performed for the other arm. There are many different exercises for individual muscle groups, which should be shown by a physiotherapist or trained trainer if possible. It is always important that the exercises are performed regularly (preferably daily) and over a longer period of time in order to achieve a long-term effect.

If pain occurs during the exercises or if the symptoms worsen, the exercises should be stopped immediately. For a healthy shoulder it is important to have a good posture and to move the shoulder a lot and sensibly. Otherwise the joint will be in the wrong position and the inactive muscles will atrophy.

Overloading should be avoided. Targeted muscle training can be used to prevent shoulder pain and premature wear and tear of the shoulder joint. Muscle tension can occur, especially in permanently sedentary activities.

Here, relaxation exercises, regular short breaks and loosening exercises for the shoulder and neck muscles can have a preventive effect. Draught and cold as well as one-sided postures and movements should be avoided. The shoulder muscles and shoulder joint should be stretched and warmed up before and after sports activities.

A healthy diet is also easy on the metabolism and joints, which can prevent shoulder problems. If it is known which stimuli trigger or intensify shoulder pain, these should be avoided at all costs. Pain and a feeling of stiffness in the shoulder should be taken seriously from the first appearance and a doctor should be consulted.

Shoulder pain can be triggered by a variety of conditions. Probably the most common cause of shoulder pain in the shoulder area is tension and hardening of the shoulder and neck muscles. Stress and incorrect posture (e.g.B.

by sitting for too long), the shoulder, back and neck are put under a lot of strain, which can lead to painful tension. Usually caused by trauma, but also by unfavorable or abrupt movements with an “unheated” shoulder, the joint capsule can tear, become sticky and shrink in the soft tissue area, leading to shoulder pain. In addition, the muscles or tendons of the rotator cuff may be torn (rotator cuff rupture), which often severely restricts arm mobility.

Painful inflammation of the shoulder joint (periarthritis humeroscapularis) is caused by a lack of movement and, in extreme cases, can lead to stiff shoulder (capsulitis adhaesiva) or the so-called “frozen shoulder”. Other diseases that cause shoulder pain are tendonitis or bursitis (bursitis subacromialis). Such inflammations are mainly caused by infections, mechanical overload, rheumatic diseases and gout.

Joint degeneration (arthrosis) can be another cause of shoulder pain. Shoulder joint arthrosis is caused by: Painful shoulder degeneration is particularly common in professions or leisure activities that are performed above the head (e.g. painters, handball or tennis players). The impairment of movement in the shoulder leads to painful inflammation and swelling.

In the so-called impingement syndrome (bottleneck syndrome) there is a constriction between the acromion and the humerus. A tendon runs there, which is exposed to a constant state of irritation, causing inflammation. Diseases of the spinal column can also cause shoulder pain.

Under certain circumstances, nerve inflammations or injuries, but also rheumatological diseases or internal diseases (e.g. heart attack, lung tumors, biliary colic) can become noticeable with the symptom “shoulder pain”. If the shoulder pain occurs particularly at night, a so-called calcified shoulder (tendinosis calcarea) may be behind it. Calcium crystals are deposited in the rotator tendon due to recurring minor tendon injuries or local circulatory disorders of the tendon.

Injuries, accidents and fractures can also lead to severe pain symptoms in the shoulder area. Frequently, the collarbone fracture (clavicula fracture) or injuries in the area of the humerus (e.g. humeral head fracture). A dislocation of the shoulder joint (shoulder dislocation) can also cause severe pain and have various causes (e.g. trauma, unstable shoulder).

Chronic overloading (e.g. through years of strength training),
Imbalances in the muscle area,
Joint space narrowing with age,
Circulatory problems,
Rheumatic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.

The shoulder joint is mainly stabilized by the muscles of the shoulder girdle. The “rotator cuff” is the name given to the four muscles that hold the humerus in the glenoid cavity of the shoulder. If a rotator cuff tear occurs, one or more muscles or tendons of this important muscle group are damaged.

Such a tear can have a traumatic (accident-related) or degenerative (wear-related) cause. For example, a fall or external force may cause dislocation of the shoulder, in some cases causing a tear in a muscle of the rotator cuff. In addition, such a tear can occur with increasing age, as there is a loss of cartilage substance and a loss of strength from the tendon attachments of the muscles.

A rotator cuff tear causes pain of varying intensity and restricts the mobility of the shoulder. Especially the lateral lifting of the arm (abduction) is no longer possible or only very painful in the case of a rotator cuff tear. There are various options for treating a torn rotator cuff.

On the one hand, the tear can be surgically sutured or closed. Afterwards, an extensive physiotherapeutic follow-up treatment over months or years is usually necessary to restore physical performance. In addition, in about one fifth of cases the shoulder pain remains after the operation. On the other hand, a conservative (non-operative) therapy can be aimed at. For this, cortisone injections into the shoulder and non-steroidal anti-rheumatic drugs can be considered.Physiotherapeutic exercises are also used in the conservative treatment of a rotator cuff tear, if necessary with local pain elimination.