Shoulder Injury

[jenjen]

I first injured my shoulder over 6 months ago, and it healed and I was able to continue dancing.

However the other day, I felt my left shoulder go again, at the time the pain made me feel physically sick and dizzy, now I have been left with a severe aching pain that goes along the back of my shoulder, through my shoulder blade and up the side of my neck. I am completely at a loss as to what to do as I can't seem to shift it and I desperetely still want to dance. Last time I went to the doctors about it they said there was nothing they could do and just said to apply deep heat, so has anyone got any suggestions?

[Heidi]

Hi,

I would advise visiting a sports massage therapist to see if this helps. Massage to the upper back, neck and shoulder will help the muscles to relax, stretch them out and release any trigger points.

If this doesn't help at all then it probably indicates a more serious injury. What was the last injury you had to the shoulder?

To find a sports massage therapist, use our find a clinic service:

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/clinics/indextherapist.php

[jenjen]

Originally I was told by the doctor's I had pulled my shoulder capsule. But I went to an osteopath and got told that I had; a small tear in my rotator cuff, supraspinatus hypertonicity, hypertonic deltoid and I had also moved my tendons.

At the moment my shoulder seems to have improved, and I have managed to get another appointment with the osteopath for this week, so it will be interesting to see what they say.

[jenjen]

I went back to the osteopath last week, and was told on top of what I had already done I have; hypertonic levator, scapulae and trapezium, supraspinatus sprain and joint instability. I have been given the pendallum exercises to do 3 times a day, are there any other things that you could suggest, as I need full strengh back to my shoulder soon, as I have a dance exam approaching.

[Heidi]

I think rehab or resistance bands are going to be your best bet. They are great because you can do as much or as little as you can manage with them.

To get some ideas for shoulder and upper back exercises have a look at our new resistance band section:

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/resistancebands/resistancebands.php

You can buy resistance band in varying strengths from our partner site return2fitness:

http://www.return2fitness.co.uk/Rehabilitation/Resistance_Bands

Good luck!