Hello, this is Sato from J-CLINIC, a physiotherapy and acupuncture clinic in Bangkok.
We’ve talked about some of the shoulder treatments we offer. In this post, let me talk about shoulder impingement syndrome and how to treat it.
What is impingement syndrome?
Impingement syndrome is when the subacromial bursa or rotator cuff is trapped or rubbing (“impinging”) against the top outer edge of your shoulder blade (the acromion). When you have impingement syndrome, it will be painful for you to raise your arm. You may also feel like something is caught in your shoulder.
Impingement syndrome is caused by overuse of the shoulder
Impingement syndrome comes from repeated irritation of the shoulder joint. It’s common among athletes who overuse their shoulders in sports like tennis and badminton (serves and smashes), swimming (crawl and butterfly), volleyball (serves and spikes), and baseball (pitching).
Common symptoms of impingement syndrome
If you have impingement syndrome, you may experience pain when you:
raise your arm above your head
lift your arms backwards
grab objects on a high shelf
Our treatments for shoulder impingement syndrome
Manual treatment
Manual treatment will relax the tension in your superficial shoulder muscles and deep trigger points to improve your body balance.
Motion and manipulation
Motion and manipulation will improve the range of motion of your shoulder joints. It also improves elasticity while relieving soft tissue adhesions and stiffness.
Ultrasound and high voltage therapy
Ultrasound and high voltage therapy promotes cellular repair. It speeds up healing and relieves pain.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture improves blood flow to the stiff muscle tissue that is causing you pain and limiting your range of motion. The improved blood flow will flush out the pain-producing substances collecting in the stiff areas. It also relieves tension in joints and muscle ligaments, giving you better a range of motion and relief from pain.
Taping therapy
Taping supports the bruised area to prevent further injuries.
Poultice
We can also prescribe poultices to help relieve your pain.
Training and self-care guidance
After the pain goes down, we will teach you exercises that you can do at home and self-care tips to prevent your injury from recurring.
* Strengthening the inner shoulder muscles (rotator cuff) using a TheraBand.
* Relaxing the muscles around the shoulder with a massage ball. Your muscle flexibility is reduced after a sprain. To prevent spraining your muscles again, it’s
important to do self-care exercises at home once your symptoms have improved.
TheraBands and massage balls are available at our clinic.
If you suffer from shoulder impingement syndrome in Bangkok, we invite you to get in touch with us by phone, email, Facebook.
From BTS Phrom Phong Station, take Exit 5 and walk along Sukhumvit towards Asoke for about 5 minutes. RSU Tower will be on your right. Take the escalator up to Floor 4 and you will see us right in front of you. If you are coming by car, parking is available at RSU Tower and is free up to 2 hours when you are treated at J-CLINIC.
Thonglor Branch (Soi Thonglor 13, Home Place building Basement Level)
Our Thonglor clinic is on the basement level of Home Place Building, at the corner of Sukhumvit Soi 55 and Thonglor Soi 13. If you are coming by BTS, please take a taxi from BTS Thonglor Station, Exit 3. If you are coming by car, parking is available at Home Place Building and is free up to 4 hours when you are treated at J-CLINIC.
Bangkok Mediplex is a general medical mall on Sukhumvit Soi 42, across from Gateway Ekkamai and directly connected to BTS Ekkamai Station. J-CLINIC Ekkamai branch will be on the 3rd floor of Mediplex. If you come from BTS Ekkamai Station, go through exit 2. It connects directly to Bangkok Mediplex. Take the escalator up to the 3rd floor and you will see our clinic on your right.
