Shoulder clicking is a common issue that causes discomfort and worry for lots of people. It often arises from conditions like injuries of the rotator cuff or impingement of the shoulder. These problems can disrupt daily activities and affect your life quality.
JAG Physical Therapy has years of expertise in diagnosing and treating shoulder issues, and we excel at it. Our therapists can provide effective shoulder clicking exercises for a quicker recovery and better shoulder function.
What Causes Shoulder Clicking?
There are numerous shoulder clicking causes, including:
- Rotator cuff injuries – Your rotator cuff consists of muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder. Injuring these musculoskeletal structures can cause clicking sounds.
- Labral tears – The labrum is a ring of cartilage that surrounds your shoulder socket and provides stability. Tearing in the labrum may cause clicking and discomfort that requires shoulder pain relief.
- Shoulder impingement – It is possible to get an impingement of the shoulder when you compress tendons during shoulder movements. The result is usually click sounds and other shoulder symptoms.
- Biceps instability – Clicking in the shoulder can occur when your biceps tendon dislocates or partially dislocates (subluxes) from its groove due to a loose or torn biceps pulley.
- Bursitis – Inflammation of the bursa, a fluid-filled sac that reduces friction in the shoulder joint, can cause clicking. It's a condition relating to repetitive overhead activities.
The conditions above not only cause clicking sounds but also affect shoulder joint stability and function. They do so by causing pain and reducing range of motion. There can be complications if you don't tend to the issue fast.
Why Is It Important to Address Shoulder Clicking?
Ignoring shoulder clicking can and often does lead to:
- More pain – Not dealing with shoulder clicks may worsen pain. You can develop chronic pain that makes living life difficult.
- Further injury – Clicking that lasts is a sign of damage that could get worse and increase the risk of severe injury.
Addressing clicking sounds with targeted shoulder clicking exercises and physical therapy offers valuable benefits:
- Pain relief – Specific exercises can lessen pain by strengthening the shoulder and making it more stable.
- Proper function – Regaining movement and stability lets you return to normal activities and sports with no discomfort or injury.
What Are the Best Exercises to Combat Shoulder Clicking?
To improve shoulder joint stability and reduce clicking, try these exercises:
- Shoulder blade squeezes – Sit or stand with your back straight. Squeeze your shoulder blades together and hold for 5 seconds then release. Repeat 10 times for 3 sets.
- External rotations – Hold a light weight or resistance band. Bend your elbow to 90 degrees and hold it at your side. Rotate your arm outward while keeping your elbow close to your body. You'll want to do 3 sets of 10 repetitions per arm.
- Internal rotations – Use a lightweight or resistance band. Hold your elbow at your side again with a 90-degree bend. Rotate your arm inward. Repeat 10 times, 3 sets per arm.
- Scapular stabilization exercises – Perform exercises focusing on the muscles around the shoulder blade, like wall push-ups or rows. Do 3 sets of 10 reps.
These shoulder clicking exercises work really well, but be sure to practice proper form and technique to get the most benefit.
How Can Physical Therapy Help with Shoulder Clicking?
Physical therapists can create personalized exercise plans that remedy shoulder clicking, get rid of pain, and restore function. That is, after they assess your condition and determine which sort of physical therapy for shoulder issues is ideal for you.
There are other benefits to working with a physical therapist. For example, they provide guided rehabilitation and can give you injury prevention strategies for long-term shoulder pain relief and shoulder joint stability.
Schedule an Appointment with JAG Physical Therapy
Does shoulder clicking affect you? JAG PT can help with expert care custom to your needs. We have experienced physical therapists that can treat your clicks and shoulder ailments. Work with our professionals to ensure safe and effective exercises.
Visit JAG Physical Therapy for more details or simply contact us. You can book an appointment for an evaluation here.