How Can Physiotherapy Help Supraspinatus Tendonitis?
The supraspinatus is one of the four rotator cuff muscles that enclose the shoulder. It is quite small and sits in the upper limb between the shoulder blade and the spine of the scapula.
It helps counter the gravitational forces on the shoulder that pull downward because of the weight of the limb. It will also help stabilise the shoulder joint.
The supraspinatus muscle has a connecting supraspinatus tendon attaching it to the bone. This tendon can become inflamed because of trauma, order cialis inflammatory disorders or repetitive strain, causing pain to the shoulder. The shoulder can feel stiff and more painful with movement. The condition is called weight loss acomplia supraspinatus tendonitis, painful arc syndrome or rotator cuff tendinitis. It can affect anyone but it occurs more frequently in those between 20 and 60 years old.
One way to try and prevent the condition in the first place is regular exercise to strengthen the joint and by making sure the shoulder isn’t overused. Some people are more prone to getting this type of injury than others.
Supraspinatus tendonitis will not improve by itself but there are many treatments available including rest, acupuncture, painkillers, anti-inflammatories and physiotherapy. In a worst-case scenario, surgery may be required.
Physiotherapists can treat the injury with manual lymph drainage (MLD) and connective tissue manipulation (CTM). Tendons have a small blood supply so when they are damaged, they don’t have a good blood supply to help with the healing process. These techniques help.
Manual Lymph Drainage is a gentle massage that uses stationary circles over the lymph nodes to improve the flow of lymph (a colourless liquid important for the effectiveness of the immune system). Massage can stimulate the lymph system and enable the fluid to flow back properly from around the cells to the blood vessels.
Connective tissue manipulation will be used after manual lymph drainage as it increases the blood flow.
If connective tissue is too tight, it can restrict the lymph as it tries to return to the blood vessels. The fluid and pressure can build up and it needs to be released using CTM.
Both treatments lessen the backlog of lymph fluid and reduce inflammation, allowing the supraspinatus tendon to return to its regular size.
A program of special exercises will often be recommended after the treatment to build up the shoulder muscles. The activity that caused the problem in the first place (if relevant) will not be resumed until the area is pain free and the muscles are stronger, thus preventing a reoccurrence.
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Tags: connective tissue manipulation, manual lymph drainage, Physiotherapy, supraspinatus