|
|
Stiffness and Fatigue
Your shoulders take a lot of wear and tear, even through normal daily activities, so it's no wonder that they can get stiff and fatigued. But there are other causes, including arthritis; "frozen shoulder" is an extreme form of shoulder stiffness.
What causes it? The soft tissues around the shoulder joint are normally flexible, cushioning the ball of the joint (actually three joints) and allowing the large range of motion that allows us to reach, throw and maneuver our shoulders smoothly. Sometimes these tissues become tight, thickened or scarred - often after an injury or surgery - and the ball of the shoulder joint compensates for the lack of soft tissue by gliding to accommodate the motion. This can cause stretching of the tissue capsule and pinching of the rotator cuff and other soft tissues... and major pain.
Shoulder fatigue may result from a period filled with increased task-related repetitive motion, improper lifting or carrying more weight than is wise for your body size and structure - even from poor posture while seated at a desk or driving. The good news is that through proper exercises or a physical therapy program, the soft tissues can be strengthened and rehabilitated. Rather than subjecting the shoulders to sudden stretching, stretching the shoulders to prepare them for activity can make a big difference.
The application of heat may help relax the shoulder muscles and relieve the discomfort, and you may improve your posture by forming better habits, through regular exercise and the use of a back support cushion when seated in you car or at your desk.
|
