Case Study
64-Year-Old Male presented with Right Shoulder Pain

A 64 year-old male, air traffic controller, stated right shoulder pain started in December, 2002. History of back, neck and shoulder pain unremarked.  Left shoulder injury in the 1970's that resolved.  He was referred by his physician for treatment in June, 2003.

Patient presented with a military type bracing posture (very stiff).  He has a mild scoliosis, marked limitations in all ranges throughout both shoulders, neck, and back. 

He was treated with standard injections and physical therapy techniques to address his symptoms. However, no one had ever addressed the cause of his pain and dysfunction.

At first treatment, we did an evaluation confirming the above posture.  He was unable to actively move the left shoulder.  He was unable to get his arm to his head without significant compensatory patterns and severe pain.  He was not able to reach behind his back, thus limiting his functional activities.

After his first treatment, patient reported he had a significant improvement in his mobility noted in his functional activities.  He said he could put his shirt on easier and reach up to his head. His pain had reduced significantly.

We looked at his overall posture.  The cause of his problems was his scoliosis, thightness in his pectoralis muscles and shoulder girdle complex and overall stiffness. 

He began treatment once a week for approx. two months.  He made significant improvement in his overall functional range of motion and pain to where he can now reach over his head without pain.  He reports no more pain in his shoulders.  His only complaint is a slight amount of stiffness in the morning which resolves with fascial stretching exercises we taught him to do.

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