Blood Flow - an Underlying Mechanism Behind Clinical Improvements in Patients With Subacromial Pain Syndrome?

Blood Flow - an Underlying Mechanism Behind Clinical Improvements in Patients With Subacromial Pain Syndrome?

The purpose of this randomized clinical trial is two-fold. Firstly to see if patients suffering Subacromial Pain Syndrome can improve blood flow in the supraspinatus muscle in their shoulder, and secondly to investigate how changes in this blood flow are related to pain experience and shoulder function.

Inclusion Criteria:

• shoulder pain for longer than three months
• clinical findings indicative of subacromial pain syndrome (evaluated by Hawkins-Kennedy sign, Neers sign, painful arch and Yokum test)
• normal passive range of motion of the shoulder

Exclusion Criteria:

• subjects unable to provide an informed consent
• lack of ability to complete the intervention
• full rupture of the tendon of m. supraspinatus
• planned shoulder surgery, or previous shoulder surgery on affected shoulder
• other musculoskeletal problem that could explain the symptoms
• adhesive capsulitis
• pregnancy
• rheumatoid arthritis
• symptomatic osteoarthritis of the shoulder/shoulder girdle
• glenohumeral instability
• widespread pain syndrome
• unstable underlying heart disease
• cortisone injections in the shoulder the last month
• allergies
• other serious mental or somatic disease (i.e. psychosis or active cancer disease).