Shoulder Impingement: A Postural Model

Shoulder pain (including impingement) can be one of the most difficult presentations a therapist will see. The presentation can be complex to understand, frustratingly slow to improve and limit the patient’s quality of life considerably. If you find shoulders tricky to treat then this is the course for you.

Shoulder complaints are the third most common musculoskeletal reason to present to a general practitioner for pain relief[1] with at least half of these persisting beyond 12 months[2]. Shoulder Impingement Syndrome (SIS) is the most common cause of shoulder pain[3] and a recent systematic review of interventional treatment for Shoulder Impingement Syndrome concluded the effectiveness of surgical or conservative therapies targeting the shoulder joint are limited.[4]

In 2016 Don Hunter completed a case-control study as a part of a Master of Research, and recently completed a random control trial as a part of his PhD (University of Newcastle), establishing a relationship between inefficient thoracic posture and impingement syndrome. Don has translated his findings into an evidence-based, clinically applicable treatment model that you will be able to utilise immediately and confidently in your clinic.

Shoulder Impingement: A Postural Model will review the normal anatomy and function of the shoulder complex as well as the pathophysiology of SIS, then explore the most common differential diagnoses and their key clinical signs and symptoms. Don will demonstrate the latest clinical testing for SIS and describe why thoracic posture is so important in addressing SIS and other upper limb conditions.

Learning Outcomes

• Revise the functional anatomy of the shoulder complex and how this relates to pain presentations
• Update your understanding of shoulder pain based on the latest medical literature including the main contributors to impingement and why a whole-body treatment approach can help your patient's recovery
• Confidently diagnose impingement syndrome using an evidence-based clinical examination of the shoulder complex
• Apply an evidenced-based treatment model confidently in clinical practice, including manual techniques utilised as a part of the Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) Don recently completed at Newcastle University
• Confidently apply treatment principles to address other upper limb conditions such as tennis elbow or wrist pain

Shoulder Impingement: a Postural Model Course Details

Shoulder Impingement: A Postural Model is suitable for Osteopathy, Physiotherapy and Chiropractic practitioners. There will be a strong emphasis on practical sessions that you will be able to use with confidence in your practice immediately.

The course will run from 8:30AM to 4:00PM. Places are limited to 20 attendees. It also includes morning and afternoon tea, printed notes and an e-certificate of attendance for your CPD records. The course can be counted as 6 hours CPD.

References

[1] Greving K, Dorrestijn O, Winters JC, et al. Incidence, prevalence, and consultation rates of shoulder complaints in general practice. Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology. 2012;41(2):150-155.

[2] Van der Heijden GJMG. Shoulder disorders: a state-of-the-art review. Bailliere's Clinical Rheumatology. 1999;13(2):287-309.

[3] Mayerhoefer ME, Breitenseher MJ, Wurnig C, Roposch A. Shoulder impingement: relationship of clinical symptoms and imaging criteria. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine. 2009;19(2):83-89.

[4] Saltychev M, Aarima V, Virolainen P, Laimi K. Conservative treatment or surgery for shoulder impingement: systematic review and meta-analysis. Disability & Rehabilitation. 2015;37(1):1-8.