Physio Edge podcast

Do you include stretches in your treatment of shoulder pain? Have you ever identified a glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD) and used the "Sleeper stretch" to help improve internal rotation? Do stretches have any value for shoulder pain, or are there better treatment options?

In this podcast, Jo Gibson (Clinical Physiotherapy Specialist) discusses how to differentiate true capsular stiffness from muscle stiffness, what information GIRD provides, and whether sleeper stretches for shoulder pain are a useful treatment.

Jo explores the current research and clinical implications on your treatment, including:

  • What is the driver of decreased range of movement (ROM)?
  • If we get immediate changes in ROM with a sleeper stretch, does that mean we should use this as a treatment?
  • Is stretching an effective, efficient and evidence-based treatment?
  • Can we use strengthening movements to improve range and cuff recruitment?
  • What exercises can you use with patients with GIRD to improve ROM and cuff recruitment?
  • Humeral retroversion and how torsional load from throwing sports at a young age impact your ROM assessment.
  • If you have a patient with GIRD, what does this tell you?
  • In patients with true capsular stiffness, does stretching in combination with damp heat have a role?
  • Does eccentric strengthening have a role in improving GIRD in patients with true capsular stiffness or fibrosis?
  • How can you use GIRD to monitor your athletes fatigue and recovery?

Links associated with this episode:

Articles associated with this episode:


1