Shoulder Pain Relief

Shoulder pain is a common musculoskeletal condition that up to 67 percent of people will experience at some time during their life. Just everyday pushing, reaching and pulling can take a toll on the shoulder. The shoulder is a complex structure made up of bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Shoulder pain can also indicate a deeper injury. It’s always wise to contact a physical therapist if you have shoulder pain. A physical therapist can help identify which shoulder structures are causing the pain. So, if you’re experiencing shoulder pain, contact a physical therapist. Here’s a list of shoulder injuries that can cause pain and impinge on your regular daily function.

Rotator Cuff Injuries

The rotator cuff is a set of four muscles and tendons that connect the arm bone to the shoulder blade. Its function is to keep the arm bone in the socket when using the arm. An injury to the rotator cuff can be due to excessive throwing, reaching or lifting. Symptoms of a rotator cuff injury are pain over the top of the shoulder and weakness when moving the shoulder. A physical therapist will do a thorough evaluation in order to diagnose a rotator cuff injury. Most patients respond well to around six weeks of physical therapy for a rotator cuff injury. If you do need surgery for a rotator cuff injury, physical therapy has also been shown to help improve recovery.

Shoulder Dislocation

When the ball of the arm and the shoulder socket separate, there is a shoulder dislocation. Getting stuck in a sporting activity or falling can cause this. There are immediate pain and difficulty moving the arm. There may also be numbness, discoloration or a cold feeling in the arm or hand with a shoulder dislocation. An X-ray will have to be taken to ensure that you don’t have a fracture. If there is no fracture, a healthcare professional can put the shoulder back in place. Physical therapy can help inflammation, pain, and range of motion. Typically, it takes anywhere from four to eight weeks to recover from a shoulder dislocation.

Frozen Shoulder

Also referred to as adhesive capsulitis, a frozen shoulder. There is pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint. Physical therapy can also help a frozen shoulder. It helps you regain your motion faster.

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Shoulder Replacement: It Needs a New One

People over the age of 50 can develop osteoarthritis of the shoulder, and a shoulder replacement may be needed. Post-surgery, a physical therapist can help ease the pain and regain motion of the shoulder.

The Role of Physical Therapy with Shoulder Pain

A physical therapist will evaluate your functional abilities and range of motion in order to create a personalized treatment plan to restore mobility and relieve shoulder pain. Treatments may include joint stabilization, strengthening and stretching. Ultrasound, heat, ice and electrical stimulation may be part of the treatment also. These passive modalities of treatment are effective in reducing pain, reducing inflammation, lessening muscle spasms and accelerating the healing process. A physical therapist may also give advice on workplace ergonomics and activity modification.