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Shoulder Stiffness: When Your Shoulders Call for a Time-Out

Is that familiar tightness or ache in your shoulders making everyday tasks a struggle? That's shoulder stiffness, a common issue that can significantly impact your quality of life. Let's explore what causes it and how to find relief.

What Causes Shoulder Stiffness?

Several culprits can contribute to that achy, restricted feeling in your shoulders:

• Injury: Sprains, strains, or tears in the shoulder's intricate network of muscles, tendons, and ligaments can lead to stiffness as your body tries to protect the injured area.
• Overuse: Repetitive motions, whether from sports, work, or even hobbies, can place excessive strain on the shoulder, resulting in stiffness and discomfort.
• Poor Posture: Hours spent hunched over a desk or phone can create muscle imbalances and stiffness. Your shoulders weren’t meant to hold that position for long!
• Stress: High levels of the stress hormone cortisol can cause muscle tension throughout the body, including the shoulders, leading to stiffness and reduced mobility.
• Underlying Medical Conditions: Conditions like arthritis, frozen shoulder, or bursitis can cause inflammation and stiffness in the shoulder joint.

Spotting the Signs

Shoulder stiffness can manifest in a few telltale ways:

• Difficulty raising your arm or reaching behind your back
• Pain or discomfort when moving your shoulder
• A feeling of tightness or restricted movement in the shoulder joint
• A clicking or popping sensation in the shoulder

Finding Relief and Restoring Movement

While addressing the root cause is key, these approaches can help ease shoulder stiffness:

• Stretching: Gentle stretches improve flexibility and range of motion in the shoulder.
• Heat Therapy: Applying heat relaxes muscles and increases blood flow, promoting healing.
• Massage: A professional massage can be incredibly effective in releasing muscle tension and improving mobility. Techniques like effleurage, which involve long, gliding strokes, can be particularly helpful in warming up the muscles and promoting relaxation at the start of a massage session. Deeper techniques can then be applied to target specific areas of tension.
• Stress Management: Chronic stress can elevate cortisol levels, exacerbating muscle tension and inflammation. Techniques like meditation, deep breathing, and yoga can help manage stress, potentially improving shoulder stiffness.

Ready to Move Freely Again?

Don't let shoulder stiffness hold you back from living your life to the fullest. Book a massage at Mầm Massage Therapy & Healing Spa. Our skilled therapists will create a personalized treatment plan to address your specific needs, incorporating techniques like effleurage and other specialized modalities to help you find relief and restore mobility.

Contact Us Today

• Mầm Massage Therapy & Healing Spa
• Phone: 0865 80 6166
• Email: mamspa.vn@gmail.com
• Address: 184/4B Le Van Sy, P.10, Quan Phu Nhuan, Ho Chi Minh