But in no way should a therapist intend as a therapeutic goal “improve patient’s posture so as to reduce pain in the shoulder.”  That would make about as much sense as prescribing an antidepressant with the goal of changing a patient’s personality.  It’s misleading.  You may change the patient’s temperament, but certainly not their personality or their character.

Whether you use corrective exercise, stretching, manipulation, adaptive aides or braces doesn’t matter.  What matters is this: does the intervention change the patient’s complaint and functional abilities?  If it does and it does so consistently, then it is of value. 

Avoid trying to change posture because you don’t know what else to do and you believe that a patient MUST be symmetrical.

Structural change is a very, very slow process.  Just ask Cro-Magnon man.  Think adaptation first.  With time and consistent application of treatment principles real change may be possible. 

It just should not be in somebody’s six week plan of care. 

Take Your Ability to Treat Shoulder Pain to the Next Level!

• What key tests should you be doing to differentiate a full-thickness rotator cuff tear from a shoulder impingement?

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