The shoulders are ball-and-socket joints that allow the arms to move in a variety of ways, including reaching overhead and moving forward and backward. They aid in various sports, such as baseball, and in everyday chores, like cleaning or yard work.
As you get older, the shoulder tissues deteriorate, leading to arthritis and rotator cuff injuries. Keeping them strong and healthy, regardless of age, is critical in preventing injuries.
The experienced team at Alpha Orthopedics & Sports Medicine are experts in orthopedic issues like shoulder pain, rotator cuff injuries, and arthritis. Dr. Brian Snow and Dr. Jon Thompson are experienced orthopedic surgeons providing PRP, regenerative therapy, and cartilage restoration for healthy shoulders and joints.
The shoulders are strong joints that allow you to move your arms in various ways. Because you use them a lot, they’re prone to injury and wear-and-tear, which can lead to arthritis and other chronic issues.
Athletes are especially prone to issues like rotator cuff tears and tendonitis due to overuse and poor conditioning. Weak shoulders lead to various problems that include:
Shoulder weakness also affects everyday activities. Besides being prone to injuries, weak shoulders also affect activities of daily living, like reaching over your head to clean or putting on a pull-over shirt.
They also disrupt sleep when the weakness leads to pain. It’s challenging to find a comfortable sleeping position with unhealthy or weak shoulder joints.
Keeping the shoulders strong and healthy is essential, whether you’re an athlete or simply getting older. Strength training is the most efficient way to keep the shoulder joints working correctly and to avoid injury.
We offer several tips and exercises that support shoulder health, and they include:
Various muscles make up the shoulder joint, and they’re all critical in movement. Focus on strengthening the supporting muscle groups like the deltoid, rotator cuff, and trapezius. Exercises we recommend include shoulder presses, rows, and external rotations.
Weight training is excellent, but bodyweight exercises are highly beneficial for shoulder health and wellness. Pushups on the floor or against the wall are great exercises to gain strength in the shoulders.
To avoid stressing the shoulder, use the proper form and start slow with light weights. Gradually increase intensity and use heavier weights over time to improve mobility and health.
The rotator cuff is an essential part of the shoulder joint that allows it to move correctly. Using resistance bands to perform external rotations helps improve strength and mobility in the rotator cuff.
Strength training is only a small part of keeping the shoulders healthy throughout your life. We offer other tips that are also crucial in shoulder wellness to prevent injury and pain, and they include:
It’s imperative to take care of your shoulders, especially if you’re an athlete or use them daily for work. Strength training, stretching, and listening to your body are the best ways to avoid injury and keep your shoulders working well.
Always avoid activities that cause shoulder pain to prevent long-term injury and other issues that affect the joint.
Call one of our McKinney and Prosper, Texas, offices or contact our team on our website to schedule an appointment with Dr. Thompson or Dr. Snow to discuss shoulder pain treatments.
