Shoulder pain refers to discomfort in or around the shoulder joint, rotator cuff, biceps tendon, or acromioclavicular joint that can affect reaching, lifting, and overhead movement. Physical therapy addresses shoulder pain by restoring rotator cuff and scapular strength, improving joint mobility and mechanics, and progressively reloading the shoulder for the demands of daily activity and sport.
Shoulder pain results from many factors including overuse, poor posture, scapular weakness, altered shoulder mechanics, and capsular tightness or looseness. It is very common and can be characterized by pain localized in the shoulder or deferred to other areas of the arm.
Whether you have a mild injury such as a muscle strain or shoulder impingement, or if you have a more serious pathology such as a labral or rotator cuff tear, physical therapy can help rehabilitate you to your previous level of activity.
At PT Solutions, our physical therapists use a combination of techniques to provide evidence-based treatment that addresses underlying contributing factors of your shoulder pain. These include:
Shoulder pain can come from rotator cuff irritation, tendonitis, bursitis, arthritis, muscle strain, stiffness, or injury. Pain may also build over time from reaching, lifting, throwing, or repeated overhead movement.
Shoulder exercises depend on the cause of pain. A plan may include range-of-motion work, shoulder blade control, rotator cuff strengthening, posture training, and gradual loading for reaching, lifting, work, or sports.
Shoulder pain should be checked quickly if it follows a fall, causes intense pain, sudden swelling, visible deformity, or you cannot move your arm away from your body. Ongoing pain, weakness, or limited motion should also be evaluated.
Throwing, lifting, and overhead movement can place repeated stress on the rotator cuff, biceps tendon, and shoulder blade muscles. If strength, mobility, or control is limited, these activities may irritate the shoulder over time.
Orthopedic physical therapy may help improve shoulder motion, rotator cuff strength, posture, shoulder blade control, and daily movement. Treatment is based on what is limiting your ability to reach, lift, sleep, work, or stay active.
Struggling with shoulder pain or limited movement? Schedule an appointment today and let our physical therapy team help you regain strength, reduce pain, and get back to doing what you love.
Struggling with shoulder pain or limited movement? Schedule an appointment today and let our physical therapy team help you regain strength, reduce pain, and get back to doing what you love.