Shoulder pain is a common complaint among wheelchair users, often associated with repetitive strain, overload, and improper handling of the equipment. With this in mind, the Santos Dumont Institute (ISD) held an educational activity for its users this Tuesday (2) in the Auditorium of the Anita Garibaldi Center for Health Education and Research (Anita). The event was led by physiotherapist and master's student in the UFRN Postgraduate Program in Physiotherapy (PPGFis), Israel Oliveira.
During the meeting, the specialist presented the main causes of shoulder pain in wheelchair users, highlighting how repetitive use of the upper limbs can overload joints and muscles, leading to limitations in daily life. He also reinforced the importance of adopting correct wheelchair handling practices and incorporating preventive care into routine care, such as regular maintenance of the equipment to ensure its proper functioning and reduce the risk of overload.
Israel further explained that overload can occur in different ways: through additional weight carried, during transfers from one place to another, or even through continuous and repetitive use of the shoulders to propel the wheelchair. In all cases, excessive strain without proper care can result in persistent pain and even more serious movement limitations.
Next, participants were invited to perform a practical warm-up and stretching exercise to reduce pain, relieve muscle tension, and prepare their bodies for higher-impact physical activities and movements. The group exercise provided not only self-care guidance but also opportunities for users to share experiences.
The initiative is part of the educational initiatives developed by ISD to complement the services provided through its care lines. "This type of guidance is important for users to understand how small changes in their routine can significantly contribute to maintaining health and quality of life in the short, medium, and long term," explained Israel Oliveira.
With activities that combine information and practice, ISD reaffirms its commitment to providing comprehensive care and support for the autonomy of people with disabilities, strengthening the role of users and promoting health in its various dimensions.
About ISD
The Santos Dumont Institute is a Social Organization linked to the Ministry of Education (MEC) and includes the Edmond and Lily Safra International Neuroscience Institute and the Anita Garibaldi Health Education and Research Center, both in Macaíba. ISD's mission is to promote education for life, forming citizens through integrated teaching, research and extension actions, in addition to contributing to a fairer and more humane transformation of Brazilian social reality.
