When we talk about shoulder problems on this blog, oftentimes the issue centers around looseness or shoulder instability. An unstable or loose shoulder is incredibly common, especially if you have suffered acute or repetitive trauma to the shoulder that damages the supportive ligaments and tendons in the area. However, today we want to focus on the other side of the coin – shoulder tightness. Are you dealing with shoulder tightness or restricted range of motion in the shoulder complex? If so, you’re not alone, and we want to take a closer look at what might be causing this discomfort and how Dr. Holloway can help you overcome shoulder tightness.
Common Causes Of Shoulder Tightness
Shoulder tightness can be caused by a number of different issues, some more controllable than others. Let’s take a closer look at some of the more common issues that can lead to feelings of tightness in the shoulder.
- Frozen Shoulder – Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, occurs when inflammation or a thickening of connective tissue in the area ends up limiting normal range of motion. Frozen shoulder is more common in older adults and in diabetics, and while the inflammation tends to eventually resolve on its own, it can lead to feelings of tightness or difficulty performing standard shoulder movements while the area is “frozen.”
- Poor Posture – Poor posture can affect your body in many ways, and oftentimes a slouched or hunched posture can increase the amount of strain on your shoulders. Sitting in an unaligned position for a short period won’t lead to shoulder stiffness overnight, but if you have bad posture for an extended period day after day, like what might occur if you sit incorrectly at your work desk, your shoulders can become overburdened. This chronic, prolonged stress can lead to shoulder weakness, stiffness or tightness.
- Stress – Believe it or not, mental and emotional stress can take a physical toll on your body. Our bodies naturally tense up when we’re under stress, and prolonged muscle tension can cause issues for those muscles and nearby joints. One area where it’s common to hold muscle tension and stress is in the neck, shoulders and upper spine. It’s important that you find healthy ways to alleviate stress and manage it when it manifests so that built up muscle tension doesn’t cause problems for your shoulders.
- Repetitive Motions – A final common cause of shoulder tightness is repetitive shoulder motions. We all use our shoulders every single day, but some individuals perform the same shoulder motions for hours on end each day. Assembly line workers, machinists and many in the manual labor industry perform countless overarm movements each day, and all this stress can eventually lead to tissue damage and shoulder tightness.
Restoring Motion To Tight Shoulders
If you’re dealing with shoulder tightness or are simply looking to expand your comfortable range of shoulder motion, you can work to address the issue in a few different ways. For starters, many people notice improvements in their shoulder flexibility by being more cognizant of their body posture and working to make corrections when they find themselves hunched or slouching. Pairing posture improvements with a gentle stretching routine or a more proactive movement regimen like exercise or physical therapy can go a long way in helping you regain lost motion in your shoulder joint.
If those techniques aren’t helping you achieve the progress you’d hoped for, consider connecting with a shoulder specialist like Dr. Holloway. He can conduct an assessment to really understand what’s causing your shoulder tightness, and more importantly, how to fix it. A more individualized physical therapy regimen may be crafted, or a more hands-on treatment like a corticosteroid injection or minimally invasive surgical procedure may be warranted. Many people can restore shoulder flexibility without these more invasive techniques, but Dr. Holloway is prepared to guide you through whatever treatment course ends up being necessary.
For more information about shoulder tightness or overcoming a new or chronic shoulder problem, reach out to Dr. Holloway and his team today at (865) 410-7887.
