How Can Correcting Posture Impact Shoulder Pain in Athletes?
- Julian Simpson
- Aug 25
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 16
How Can Correcting Posture Impact Shoulder Pain in Athletes?
Shoulder pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints encountered in the general population, affecting a significant number of individuals across various age groups and lifestyles.
The overall prevalence of shoulder pain can be as high as 55%, indicating that more than half of the population may experience this discomfort at some point in their lives. Furthermore, the estimated incidence of shoulder pain is approximately 62 cases per 1000 persons per year, highlighting the widespread nature of this issue. This statistic underscores the importance of understanding the multifaceted causes and implications of shoulder pain, as it can greatly impact daily activities and overall quality of life.
However, despite the high prevalence of shoulder pain, it remains unclear whether alterations along the kinetic chain may also be present in this population.
The kinetic chain refers to the interconnected system of joints and segments in the body that work together during movement. An imbalance or dysfunction in one area of the kinetic chain can lead to compensatory mechanisms that may contribute to pain and dysfunction in another area, such as the shoulder. This potential relationship warrants further investigation to determine how various body segments interact and influence shoulder health.
Research conducted in 2024 delved into the various causes of shoulder pain in athletes, specifically focusing on factors beyond the shoulder joint itself. This study aimed to identify underlying issues that could be contributing to shoulder discomfort, emphasizing the need to consider the entire body rather than isolating the shoulder as the sole area of concern.
Evidence from this research suggests that individuals experiencing shoulder pain may exhibit a reduced active range of motion (ROM) not only in the shoulder but also in adjacent regions such as the cervical spine, thoracolumbar region, and hip.
This reduction in mobility can have significant implications for overall function, as each joint and muscle group plays a crucial role in maintaining proper movement patterns. Additionally, muscular endurance in these regions—specifically in the thoracolumbar area and hip—may also be compromised, which can further exacerbate shoulder issues. Moreover, neuromuscular control of the lower extremities is often diminished in individuals with shoulder pain, indicating a potential link between lower body function and shoulder stability.
One particularly noteworthy finding from the research was that for each degree decrease in mobility, individuals were 1.1 times more likely to experience shoulder pain. This statistic highlights the critical importance of maintaining adequate mobility throughout the kinetic chain, as even slight limitations can predispose individuals to discomfort and dysfunction in the shoulder area.
Another study conducted on this topic revealed that individuals with shoulder pain exhibited greater thoracic kyphosis, a condition characterized by an excessive curvature of the mid-back, compared to those without shoulder pain. This finding suggests that postural alignment and spinal curvature may play a significant role in the development and persistence of shoulder pain.
This relationship is why we emphasise that the posture and mobility of the thoracic spine can profoundly influence the positioning and kinematics of the scapula.
The scapula's positioning is crucial for the stability and movement of the glenohumeral joint (the shoulder joint), as it serves as a base for shoulder motion. Any dysfunction in the thoracic spine can lead to altered scapular mechanics, which may contribute to shoulder pain and limitations.
In addition to the thoracic spine, individuals with shoulder pain may also present with decreased active ROM in the hip, another central segment of the kinetic chain that is often overlooked. The hip plays a vital role in maintaining overall body mechanics and stability, and limitations in hip mobility can lead to compensatory movements that place additional stress on the shoulder.
This is why we take a comprehensive full-body posture scan to assess various factors, including the alignment of your spinal curves and overall posture. By gaining insights into your spinal and muscular hygiene, we can better understand the underlying issues contributing to shoulder pain and develop targeted interventions aimed at improving mobility and function.
Further research has corroborated these findings, indicating that individuals with shoulder pain often present with lower endurance in the muscles of the thoracolumbar region—specifically the flexors, extensors, and lateral flexors—as well as in the hip muscles, including the extensors and abductors. This decreased muscular endurance can hinder the body’s ability to maintain proper posture and movement patterns, further perpetuating the cycle of pain and dysfunction in the shoulder.
For more information about how we can help. Please call Health Wise Chiropractic 03 9467 7889 or book online to see one of our Chiropractors in Sunbury or Melton/Strathtulloh Today!
We are also really proud to offer our patients an APP for their Mobile- iPad. With access to your rehab exercises and our health tip blogs with over 500 articles.
Chiropractic has moved online. We offer our online program -STAND CORRECTED- To help you through the day.
We have over 30 programs on different health conditions
Each program contains
- Information about the conditions
- things to do and things to avoid
- nutrition advice
- all the stretches that are needed to help
References
Fonseca Fialho HR, Gava V, Fonseca RNS, Kamonseki DH, Barbosa GM. Thinking outside the shoulder: A systematic review and metanalysis of kinetic chain characteristics in non-athletes with shoulder pain. PLoS One. 2024 Dec 9;19(12):e0314909. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0314909. PMID: 39652591; PMCID: PMC11627437.
Comments