Shrug Off Shoulder Pain

Did you know that your shoulders are your body’s most moveable and flexible joints? They’re made up of a variety of muscles, tendons, and bones, and they’re pretty complicated structures! 

Your shoulders are what allow you to move around and complete many of your responsibilities and activities during the day. They are capable of a great deal, but they can also be extremely vulnerable to injury if not cared for properly. If you’ve been suffering from shoulder pain, our physical therapy services can help you discover natural relief.

Common causes of shoulder pain

Shoulder pain can be caused by a variety of underlying factors. A sudden injury or damage to the shoulders, for example, can impair their function and cause pain. Repetitive activities, whether from a sport or job, can also create shoulder pain by overworking your muscles, joints, and tendons.

Physical therapy can help with a variety of issues that may be causing the pain or discomfort you’re experiencing in your shoulder. The following are some of the most common causes of shoulder pain:

• Frozen shoulder. Frozen shoulder is a painful ailment that develops after prolonged periods of immobility, such as being in a sling or cast following an injury. Over time, this condition will deteriorate, causing discomfort and stiffness. Physical therapy can help provide relief and speed your recovery.
• Torn cartilage. When cartilage tears, you may experience a number of painful symptoms. You may experience decreased strength and a limited range of motion in the affected shoulder. You may also experience pain when moving your arm in certain ways. If you are suffering from torn cartilage, physical therapy is a safe first step in rehabilitation. Some cartilage tears may require surgical intervention, but PT first can give you a head start on recovery.
• Tendonitis. Tendonitis occurs when a tendon becomes irritated or inflamed. It can appear in several parts of the body, and colloquial terms such as “tennis elbow,” “swimmer’s shoulder,” and “jumper’s knee” are usually used to describe it. A physical therapist can treat different types of tendonitis and educate you on how to keep it from coming back.
• Arthritis. Arthritis is a painful and stiffening joint disease. There are various forms of arthritis, but osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most frequent. Osteoarthritis is a condition in which the cartilage between your bones breaks down, causing the bones to rub together. Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by swollen and inflamed joints. Physical therapy can help with pain alleviation and movement for both of these diseases.
• Bursitis. Bursitis is a type of joint inflammation that affects the fluid-filled sacs that surround the bones, muscles, and tendons. It frequently happens in body parts that are subjected to repetitive activities. You may feel stiff or achy in the affected area, which may also become red or inflamed if you have bursitis. Physical therapy can help with the inflammation as well as the pain you’re experiencing.
• Sprains and strains. When a ligament is strained or torn, it is called a sprain. When a muscle or tendon is stretched too far or torn, it is called a strain. Strains and sprains can cause persistent shoulder pain, making it difficult to exercise or perform regular duties. If the strain or sprain is minimal, it may be treated with a simple home exercise program, ice, and rest. More extensive PT is typically required for more serious strains and sprains.

How can a physical therapist help with shoulder pain?

Two of the biggest goals of physical therapy are 1) to alleviate your pain and 2) to improve your function. Your physical therapist will work with you to make sure that both of these are achieved throughout your physical therapy sessions.

Physical therapy for shoulder pain focuses first on giving you much needed pain relief and then improving your motion and strength using modalities, manual therapy, exercises, and at-home treatments. Your physical therapist’s ultimate goal is to restore pain-free mobility and range of motion to the affected shoulder.

He or she will design a treatment plan specifically for you, which will include targeted stretches and exercises. It may also include any additional methods or modalities that your physical therapist deems fit, including ice and heat therapies, manual therapy, dry needling, cupping therapy, or electrical nerve stimulation.

Get rid of your shoulder pain today!

There’s no reason you need to risk the harmful effects of over-the-counter medication or spend a ton of money on an expensive surgery to gain relief from shoulder pain. Call your local HealthQuest today to learn more about the benefits of physical therapy for shoulder pain, and begin your journey toward living a pain-free life!