Preventing Shoulder Injuries - A Physical Therapists Perspective

Introductiondiscriminatory to a specific sport or action. They
The shoulder is a fascinating joint. It allows us toaffect both male and females athletes and
manipulate objects in an infinite number of directionsnon-athletes alike. The following guidelines in this
at various speeds. The shoulder is the most mobilearticle will help to prevent the possibility of developing
joint in the body and provides many degrees ofa shoulder injury due to overhead sports, poor
motion. This freedom of motion allows us to reachposture and improper weight training.Anatomy
high and low, far and near for objects in space. TheThe shoulder complex is made up of four joints. The
large amount of shoulder mobility does not comeglenohumeral joint, acromioclavicular joint,
without a price. Increase in shoulder or (Glenohumeralsternoclavicular joint and the scapulothoracic joint.
Joint) mobility leads to a decrease in the stability ofAside from these joints, there are other anatomical
the joint. When a joint is unstable, it is more likely tostructures that play a large role in normal shoulder
suffer an injury. The most common injury to thefunction. These include the cervical spine (neck),
shoulder is from a repetitive movement on anthoracic spine (upper back), clavicle and ribs. If any
unstable joint. This movement can vary from typingone of these structures is not functioning properly,
at a computer with poor posture to an unstablethey will have a direct negative impact on the
tennis or golf swing. Shoulder injuries are notshoulder complex.