Subacromial Pain Syndrome Treatment in Mona Vale
Subacromial pain syndrome (SAPS) is a common cause of shoulder pain, particularly during lifting, reaching overhead, gym training and repetitive arm movements. You may also hear it described as shoulder impingement or subacromial bursitis.
At Helix Recovery, we assess your shoulder strength, movement and activity demands to identify factors contributing to your symptoms and develop a treatment plan tailored to your goals.
What is Subacromial Pain Syndrome?
Subacromial pain syndrome describes pain arising from structures around the space beneath the acromion at the top of the shoulder.
The rotator cuff tendons and subacromial bursa are commonly associated with symptoms. The bursa is a small fluid-filled structure that helps reduce friction between tissues as the shoulder moves and can become irritated and sensitive.
Rather than assuming that one structure is being mechanically "impinged", SAPS recognises that shoulder pain is often influenced by a combination of tendon and bursal sensitivity, strength, movement and how much load the shoulder is currently being exposed to.
Common Symptoms
Pain around the front or outside of the shoulder
Pain when lifting the arm overhead
A painful arc when raising or lowering the arm
Pain reaching behind your back
Discomfort with pushing, pressing or overhead gym exercises
Pain when lying on the affected shoulder
Reduced shoulder strength or endurance
How We Assess Subacromial Pain Syndrome
Shoulder pain can involve the rotator cuff tendons, subacromial bursa and surrounding structures, and imaging findings don't always identify exactly what is causing someone's symptoms.
Your assessment may include shoulder movement, rotator cuff strength, functional testing and assessment of the shoulder blade, upper back and neck where relevant.
This helps us understand your presentation and determine the most appropriate treatment and rehabilitation approach.
How We Treat Subacromial Pain Syndrome
Treatment depends on how long symptoms have been present, their severity and the activities you want to return to.
Treatment may include:
Osteopathic manual therapy
Shockwave therapy
Progressive exercise rehabilitation
Rotator cuff strengthening
Shoulder blade and upper-back strengthening
Activity and load modification
Gradual return to work, gym or sport
Shockwave Therapy for Subacromial Pain Syndrome
Shockwave therapy may be incorporated into treatment to help reduce pain and improve function around the shoulder.
Depending on your presentation, treatment may target the rotator cuff and surrounding soft tissues while being used alongside osteopathic manual therapy and progressive exercise rehabilitation.
Where the subacromial bursa is particularly irritated, treatment is modified appropriately rather than applying high-intensity shockwave directly over an acutely sensitive bursa.
Common Questions
-
Not exactly. Shoulder bursitis refers specifically to irritation of the subacromial bursa. Subacromial pain syndrome is a broader term that recognises that the bursa, rotator cuff tendons and other factors may all contribute to shoulder pain.
-
"Shoulder impingement" is an older term that is still commonly used. Subacromial pain syndrome is now often preferred because symptoms aren't necessarily caused by tissues simply being pinched between the bones of the shoulder.
-
Not necessarily. Highly aggravating movements may be temporarily modified, but rehabilitation generally involves progressively rebuilding your ability to tolerate reaching, lifting and overhead activity.
-
Usually. Your program can often be modified to reduce aggravating exercises while maintaining training and progressively rebuilding shoulder strength.
Ready to Get Your Shoulder Moving Again?
Whether shoulder pain is affecting work, the gym, surfing or everyday activities, we'll identify the factors contributing to your symptoms and develop a treatment plan tailored to your goals.