Shoulder pain is one of the most common areas of the body to have aches and pains. The way you sleep, what you do during the day, how you reach for things, and even driving can play a role in the function of the shoulder, especially if it’s not working the way it should in the first place. Physical therapy for shoulder pain can be highly effective, and it can provide you with both pain relief and improved mobility in many situations.
Common Treatments for Shoulder Pain
After you find your clinic and schedule an appointment, your physical therapist will create an individualized treatment plan to address your shoulder pain needs. This plan comes from understanding how the shoulder is moving and what concerns may be present. Some of the most common physical therapy treatments for shoulder pain include the following:
- Therapeutic exercise designed to improve the function of the shoulder and strengthen the muscles and ligaments located there
- Occupational manual physical therapy which helps to correct dysfunction of the joint and improve mobility
- Soft tissue mobilization, a type of massage therapy targeting the soft tissues in the shoulder and shoulder blade
- Job or sport simulation and training to correct functional problems while using the shoulder
- Functional lifting to build muscle function and strength
Common Causes of Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain can occur for various reasons. It can be both acute, meaning it comes on from a sudden injury, or it can develop over time. Some of the most common causes of shoulder pain include:
- Arthritis in the shoulder joint
- Shoulder separation
- Broken shoulder bone
- Bone spurs developing around the shoulder
- Discoloration of the shoulder from the joint
- Nerve damage due to abnormal shoulder movement
- Tears in the rotator cuff tendons
- Overuse of the tendons
Common Conditions Related to Shoulder Pain
A variety of conditions can cause shoulder pain or contribute to it worsening over time. Some of the most common include:
- Frozen shoulder
- Bicep tendonitis
- Shoulder tendonitis
- Shoulder bursitis
- Rotator cuff impingement or tears
- Shoulder fracture
- Multidirectional instability
- Tendonitis
- Cervical radiculopathy
- Ac joint sprain
Once your therapist has a good understanding of the types of shoulder pain you are having, including any range of movement limitations, nerve damage, or fractures to the bones, a treatment plan can be created to address those specific needs.
When to Seek Physical Therapy for Shoulder Pain
At the onset of shoulder pain, you may benefit from seeking medical care right away. If the injury is painful, you cannot move your arm without pain, or you have a sudden onset of pain, head to the emergency room. If you do not have those intense conditions, but the pain does not improve within a few days or worsens, seek out the help of a physical therapist right away.You don’t have to wait to contact Rock Valley Physical Therapy for help with your shoulder pain. Physical therapy for shoulder pain can provide you with significant improvement in mobility and pain levels. Contact us now for the help you need.