SHOULDER PAIN

It is a pretty big problem if you are experiencing shoulder pain on a daily basis. We use our shoulders constantly, so if you are dealing with discomfort, it can seriously mess up your entire day and impact your mood and productivity levels as well.

What Is Causing My Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain can be caused by a variety of things, ranging from minor aches and pains caused by a pulled muscle to agonizing bone-on-bone friction caused by arthritis. It can also develop as a result of an injury, leaving you feeling as if your shoulder is frozen.

Shoulder pain can manifest itself in a variety of ways, such as reaching for the top shelf to put away dishes or having difficulty finding a comfortable sleeping position.

Some of the most common causes of shoulder pain include:

Impingement –

Impingement typically occurs because of abnormal movement and tracking of the humeral head as you lift your arm overhead. Pain typically occurs when lifting your arm at or above 90 degrees.

Arthritis –

The two main forms of arthritis that affect the shoulder are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Both of these result in loss of motion, weakness to the shoulder muscles, and difficulty performing normal, daily tasks. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the immune system decides to attack the membranes surrounding the shoulder joint, resulting in pain and inflammation. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage in the shoulder joint experiences significant “wear and tear,” typically due to age or excessive overuse.

Tendinitis –

Tendinitis develops when a person’s shoulder joint is overworked, usually as a result of the physical demands of their job, overhead activity, or sport. Poor posture can cause tendinitis because it alters the balance of your shoulders and can cause tightness and weakness, putting you at risk of tendon injury. This causes the tendons to undergo ongoing inflammation, resulting in swelling and painful impingement when raising your arm.

Frozen shoulder –

Frozen shoulder is characterized by a painful loss of shoulder motion as well as a tightening of the shoulder joint that severely restricts motion. Adhesive capsulitis is another name for it. If your arm has been in a cast or sling for a long time, or if you have been bedridden for a while, this condition can develop. Some ethnicities are more predisposed, and women from 40-60 years of age tend to have more instances of this condition than men.

Rotator cuff injuries –

Rotator cuff injuries, also known as “torn shoulders,” are commonly associated with deep shoulder pain, arm weakness, difficulty reaching behind the back, and difficulty sleeping due to pain. Surgery may be necessary depending on the severity and situation, but proper physical therapy can often help reduce pain and restore rotator cuff strength without the need for surgery. Physical therapy will be an important part of the recovery process if surgery is required.

Benefits Of Physical Therapy For Shoulder Pain

Physical therapy is a non-invasive, natural, and comfortable way to relieve shoulder pain without the use of harmful drugs or invasive surgery. Our physical therapists have treated a wide range of shoulder pain conditions, with many patients seeing significant improvement and relief after just a few sessions.

We will look at your range of motion, strength, coordination, medical history, joint mobility, and joint motion mechanics during your evaluation. Our physical therapist will be able to create a personalized treatment plan to manage and relieve your shoulder pain once they have identified the source of your discomfort.

To aid in the restoration of normal joint movement, relieve soft tissue restrictions, and promote circulation, gentle manual therapy may be included in your treatment plan. Specific strength-building exercises and a proper muscle activation sequence around the shoulder joint may also be included.

Physical therapy will also teach you new ways to move your body in order to increase your strength and avoid future shoulder problems.