A comprehensive guide to understanding the complexities of the
shoulder and treating shoulder injury and pain
The area of the body we commonly refer to as the shoulder is in fact a
complex of interconnected systems--bones, tendons, muscle, and joints
that together work to move our arms, hands, and fingers. Because the
shoulder must trade stability for mobility, it is also one of the
weakest joints of the body, which explains why it is one of the most
common areas of physical pain; injury located in the shoulder can affect
areas throughout the entire body. The Vital Shoulder Complex is
designed for anyone interested in understanding, treating, and healing
shoulder-related pain. Author and renowned bodyworker John Gibbons
explains and illustrates the dynamics of the shoulder complex in ways
that are accessible and enlightening. The theory and principles
described in this book can assist physical therapists in formulating
effective treatment protocols towards quick rehabilitation for their
patients. These include:
Differential diagnosis of shoulder pathology
The relationship of the pelvis, the SI joint, and the gluteals to the
shoulder complex
Pathologies of the shoulder and cervical spine
Special tests associated with the shoulder complex
Rehabilitation and exercise protocols for the shoulder complex