Shoulder noises

[No longer waiting!]

I have a number of clients with shoulders that make cracking/popping/clicking noises during various motions, usually some form of rotation during abduction. This also has a particular feel to it, like things aren't quite moving smoothly.

I'm not familiar with what conditions might cause this, and mostly it has not been affected by my work, even when ROM ends up increased.

Any insight, or reference material that might help?

 

[skmathew67]

You can get noise or similar from pressure or contact between the scaula and rib cage. Freeing up the scapular muscles and soft tissues would be helpful. Also, the acromial-claviclular joint can make some noise during motion. If there is too much anterior shoulder tightness (pecs, etc) or deltoid tightness, the compressive forces on the shoulder joint can create grinding or other noises. Traction of the arm as well as releasing the pecs and chest would be helpful here.

 

[Lisa N]

My shoulder does that as well - My right one the most which is also the shoulder I had a football injury with (Yes - A football injury). So I always just attributed the noise to scar tissue under the scapula that was rubbing or catching. You're right - it does have a slightly jerky, catching feel to it. Massage helps. Interesting.

Angela

 

[Baby]

Crepitus is normal. I find it tends to increase as tight tissues loosen, enabling increased ROM at a joint. If the client actively works to maintain and increase that joint ROM, the crepitus may eventually disappear.

 

[Dunyah]

To add to the other comments....

When I work the supraspinatus (of course, along with the other muscles of the shoulder girdle but after particular focus to the supra), any popping going on during the session will cease. You can try that to see if it helps your clients.

 

[corinthians]

I lived with a popping crunchy shoulder for 10 years and tried so many things.
Less than a year ago with the help of two therapists, i was able to eliminate noise and the like almost completely.

For my clients i really work all of the rotator cuff muscles at the humeral attachments, pec. minor/coraco-brachialis at the coracoid, biceps tendons, latissimus(especially where it crosses the teres) and serratus anterior.


You can read more about my shoulder here:

http://www.dragonslist.com/discussi...my-shoulder-works-now-warning-longwinded.html

 

[armin t]

This is anecdotal from a sample of one, but -- I find for myself that the less I am moving generally, the more creaky-poppy I am all over. The more I am active, the less so. Regardless of the type of activity and whether I am specifically working/moving the poppy joints. So although that doesn't help you in the treatment room, maybe finding out about the activity level of the noisy clients will give you useful information.

I want to change my username to Crepitus.

 

[Bon Bon]

I want to change my username to Crepitus.

Lol.


My hydration seems to play a large role as well.

 

[chmacqueen]

I have this problem of "popping sounds" sometimes when rotating my own shoulder. (I take it due to my arm being pulled out if its socket when I was a baby.)

I feel that working the subscap from the axillary side helps alleviate the noises most