Fixing Shoulder Clicking 

by John Izzo, NASM-CPT, PES

Yesterday, I met a 52 year old man that wanted to learn more about what I can do for him--as his trainer. He complained of an annoying shoulder clicking issue in his right arm, that he said presented no pain--just annoyance. I asked him what he did for a living and what do you know...he is a chained to his desk.

Protracted shoulders are pretty evident in people that sit all day. Gravity has a tendency to usually win battles in people that are weak, sedentary, and immobile (bad combination--more on that in another post). The client usually becomes a "slave" to the seated position and soon enough loses alot of the structural integrity that enables them to be upright.

Have you ever met someone that has been in their job or position for 5, 15, 20  years? They usually "look" like they have been in that position for that period of time.

Chances are with the constant pressure of gravity and the loss of core strength from the intrinsic musculature, a person’s body segments will conform to the object that is creating the opposing pressure. Let’s put it like this:

The weaker, more deconditioned, and more immobile one is they are more susceptible to the pressure exerted everyday by gravity. The stronger and more conditioned you are, the less likely your body “gives in” to the subtle stress of gravity. However, those that are chained to the seated position for years on end, become sandwiched between gravity’s subtle, yet sustaining pressure; and the reciprocal pressure of the object the body is located in between. In this case, it is the desk chair.

Shoulder clicking can be a sign that the kinetic chain structure is becoming compromised. I say "becoming" because if it once wasn't there and is suddenly beginning, or started years into your desk job, chances are the scoreboard reads: Gravity - 90, your body - 0. You lose.

Under 25, clicking is probably more related to an instability problem than in later years in which loose bodies and a thickened bursa are frequent causes. A painful click represents some type of pathology.

To begin the process of addressing this matter. After a close observation and assessment, we find that the humeri are protracted due to the weak scapular stabilizers, particularly the serratus anterior and lower trapezius. The clicking sound you hear may be the tendon snapping over the head of the humerus --this may due to a slight rotation of the head causing friction during certain movements; or a more serious issue--a tear in the labrum.