“Tradies shoulder” is a name commonly given to the shoulder pain experienced by tradies due to the nature of their work. It’s all too familiar in so many trades and I see it so often!
It’s often caused by repetitive movements, heavy lifting, reaching and overhead work and having to work in awkward positions with loads. The classic signs are shoulder pain that flares slowly but surely over time, eventually leading to:
- A nagging pain, often at the front and side of the shoulder
- Stiffness in the shoulder joint and nearby areas
- Reduced range of motion
- Weakness
- Aching at the end of the work day and at night
- Trouble working overhead
- Referred pain that can progress up into the neck or down the arms and hands
In clinical terms, it’s often a combination of different shoulder issues, including problems with the muscles, tendons, ligaments and shoulder bursa – and often due to overuse 
Given how hard it is for a tradie to avoid aggravating shoulder movements – especially at this time of year with extra work demands – early treatment is essential to prevent developing longer term issues.
Soft tissue OT uses a variety of hands on techniques and other supplementary techniques, including neuromuscular, stretching, myofascial and musculoskeletal techniques to treat shoulder pain like this. We look at different ways we can relieve your pain around not interrupting your work. Treatment aims to release muscle tightness, relieve pain, increase movement, reduce inflammation and improve function, allowing tradies to get back to doing what they do best.
If you are experiencing shoulder pain, or know a tradie who is, feel free to get in touch with me directly to chat before making an appointment. Otherwise, you can use book an appointment online here at any time.