💥 Is Your Shoulder Pain Really Coming from Your Shoulder?

One of the most frequent things we hear in our clinic is:

“I have pain in my shoulders.”

But here’s the thing... many of these people aren’t pointing to the actual shoulder joint. They’re referring to pain in the upper thoracic spine (upper back) or lower cervical spine (neck), which are commonly misidentified as shoulder issues.

🦴 Understanding the Shoulder Complex

The shoulder is not just one joint — it’s a system made up of multiple joints and structures working together, including:

• Glenohumeral joint – the true ball-and-socket joint

• Acromioclavicular joint (AC joint) – where the collarbone meets the shoulder

• Sternoclavicular joint – connecting the clavicle to the sternum

• Scapulothoracic articulation – how the shoulder blade glides over the ribs

  
  

These structures rely on fluid coordination with your neck, ribs, spine, and even pelvis. When one area is restricted, it throws off the entire system — resulting in pain, tension, and reduced mobility.

🔍 Why Osteopathy Treats the Whole Body

At Island Osteopath Aruba, we don’t just chase pain. We look for the source.

Your shoulder pain may actually be caused by:

✅ Poor posture or prolonged sitting✅ Neck or spinal tension✅ Rib cage or breathing restrictions✅ Old injuries or imbalances elsewhere in the body✅ Chronic stress causing muscular guarding

✋ What We Do:

Our hands-on approach uses techniques such as:

• Joint mobilisation

• Soft tissue release

• Postural realignment

• Breathing and movement retraining

This full-body method helps to restore functional movement, reduce pain, and prevent future flare-ups — all without drugs or invasive treatments.

Common Cases We See in Clinic:

• Tension headaches from neck and upper back dysfunction

• Limited shoulder movement with no clear injury

• Desk-related posture problems causing chronic tightness

• Pain that hasn't improved with massage or exercise alone

Island Osteopath Aruba

Feel better. Move better. Live better.