Posture Could Be the Culprit Behind Your Shoulder Pain
No one likes dealing with shoulder pain. The discomfort and immobility can prevent you from doing daily activities like grabbing something off a high shelf or reaching up to brush your hair. So, when your shoulder starts hurting, it’s important to figure out why.
Often, shoulder pain stems from an injury. For example, take rotator cuff tears, in which the muscles and tendons that wrap the shoulder become damaged: these injuries are common and can result from a sudden traumatic injury like a fall or develop gradually.
However, sometimes, shoulder pain might not have such a clear-cut cause. One of our patients learned this for herself–we’ll call her Diana. She was dealing with persistent shoulder pain and couldn’t figure out why. Fortunately, the physical therapists at Darien Physical Therapy Sports & Fitness were on the case.
And the culprit? It turned out to be Diana’s posture.
Meet Diana, Receptionist Extraordinaire
Diana had worked as a receptionist and administrative assistant for years. She enjoyed her work, but it did require her to spend long hours sitting in front of a computer as she sifted through spreadsheets and calendar appointments.
Her issues with shoulder pain began gradually. They had always been a little stiff, but the restricted range of motion had worsened in the last few months. She also noticed tightness in her chest and twinges of pain throughout her shoulders and neck.
Diana tried to ignore her symptoms at first, thinking they’d eventually go away on their own. Instead, they became more frequent, worsening enough that Diana struggled to sit at her desk long enough to get any work done. That was when she came to visit us.
Exercise of the Month
Prone Shoulder Extension
(Shoulders, Upper Back)
Start by lying facedown on a table. Place a rolled towel under your forehead. Hold the dumbbell in one hand. Position yourself so that the arm holding the dumbbell is hanging off the table. Move your shoulder that is hanging off the table upwards slightly so that your shoulders are in line with each other. Keeping your arm straight during the movement, raise the dumbbell straight back so that at the top of the movement, your arm is parallel with your body. Lower the dumbbell back to the starting position with control. 3 Sets, 10 Reps. (Materials needed: towel, dumbbell)
Our Physical Therapists Were on the Case
As always, we started Diana with a comprehensive assessment to help us understand the root cause of her discomfort. We took a health history, talked to her about potential injuries, and conducted several movement screens–including a postural screen.
The postural screen was where we made headway. After reviewing Diana’s posture while she was sitting, standing up, and moving around, we noticed the following:
- She held her head forward in relation to her shoulders, a stance called “forward head posture.”
- She tended to round her shoulders, giving her slight kyphosis, or a hunched posture, in her upper back.
- Her shoulder blades were protracted away from her spine.
The signs were clear: Diana had developed upper cross syndrome.
Upper cross syndrome is a condition marked by postural changes that have a waterfall effect throughout the body. Diana’s postural impairments had impacted the muscles in her upper back and shoulder girdle. As a result, the movement in her upper body became impaired, leading to her pain and mobility restrictions.
A Personalized Solution to Lasting Pain Relief
Now that we understood why Diana was experiencing shoulder pain, we could develop a customized treatment to correct her posture and address the muscular impairments and imbalances that had led to her symptoms in the first place.
The foundation of Diana’s treatment was a comprehensive therapeutic exercise program. We began by improving her shoulder’s range of motion through simple mobility exercises.
After a few weeks, Diana was ready to begin strengthening the affected muscles. Using equipment like resistance bands and weights, we guided Diana through targeted exercises that addressed muscular weakness and imbalance.
Throughout her program, we also helped Diana improve her overall posture. Like many people, she thought postural improvements were about “sitting up straight.” In reality, she needed to keep her spine aligned as she moved through different postures throughout the day.
Because Diana had a desk job, we emphasized the importance of changing her posture regularly by taking quick breaks. Diana began using a timer to remind herself to get up every 30 minutes or so and walk around the office.
While it took a little effort on Diana’s part, eventually, her pain receded, and her shoulders were more mobile than they’d been in years. To make sure she didn’t relapse, we provided her with exercises to do at home to keep her upper body strong.
Sources: https://trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13063-020-4159-9, https://www.jospt.org/doi/10.2519/jospt.2020.0501, https://www.jospt.org/doi/full/10.2519/jospt.2020.8498
Is Your Posture Causing You Pain?
Diana learned just how important posture is. If you’re struggling with persistent shoulder pain, call the team at Darien Physical Therapy Sports & Fitness. We’ll dig down to the source–and give you the guidance you need to correct the issue.
Hydration & Electrolytes: Hidden Keys to Better Mobility and Recovery
By Christine Updegraff, MS Bellwether Wellness
Most people know that staying hydrated is important—but did you know that even mild dehydration can slow your recovery, increase joint stiffness, and lead to muscle cramps? Whether you’re recovering from surgery, dealing with mobility challenges, or working your way back from a sports injury, proper hydration plays a critical role in your progress. Water alone isn’t enough. Your body also needs electrolytes—minerals like sodium, potassium, and magnesium—that help your muscles contract, your nerves fire, and your joints stay lubricated.
When your electrolyte levels are low, you may notice:
- Muscle cramps or spasms
- Fatigue or sluggishness
- Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
These signs are often overlooked but can signal that your hydration isn’t optimized for recovery.
What helps? Drink water consistently throughout the day and support it with electrolytes from whole foods like leafy greens, bananas, avocados, and a pinch of sea salt. To make things even easier, we now offer a professional-grade electrolyte supplement in the office: Electrolyte Synergy™ by Designs for Health. It provides a balanced blend of sodium, potassium, and magnesium—without added sugars or artificial ingredients—and can be easily mixed into water for daily support.
We are here to help you develop hydration habits that support healing and mobility. Whether you’re managing muscle recovery or looking to improve your energy, small changes—like better hydration—can make a big difference. Stop by The Darien Physical Therapy reception desk to pick up some Electrolyte Synergy™ or make an appointment for a no-cost hydration strategy next time you’re in the office.
Stop by the front desk, call 203-309-0045, or visit www.bellwetherwellness.com to book an appointment.
Fresh & Healthy Salsa Recipe
- 4 ripe tomatoes
- 1 red onion
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 jalapeno (stemmed and seeded)
- 1/3 cup fresh cilantro
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 3 tsp ground cumin
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 15 oz crushed tomatoes (1 can)
- 4.5 oz diced green chiles (1 can)
Place the fresh tomatoes, onion, garlic, peppers, cilantro, lime juice, cumin, and salt in a food processor. Pulse until the contents are blended to desired consistency. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and green chiles. Puree until mostly smooth. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
