Shoulder pain is one of the most common problems we see in physical therapy. It’s not just athletes like baseball players or swimmers either; we treat patients of all ages for shoulder problems. This condition can be the result of repetitive overuse of muscles in the shoulder, poor posture or traumatic injury to the shoulder.
Repetitive overuse of muscles can lead to tendinopathy or irritation of the tendons that attach at the shoulder. Some example of common repetitive activities include:
- Gardening and yard work
- Throwing (think about a baseball player)
- Carrying/lifting
Poor posture can lead to impingement of the rotator cuff tendons and is often seen in individuals that sit at a desk for long hours each day or spend a lot of time at the computer. When a patient is dealing with impingement of the rotator cuff, common complaints include shoulder pain when lifting the arm to shoulder height and above and pain when they reach behind the back.
Traumatic injuries to the shoulder can result from falls, forceful contact with a person or object, sports-related injuries as well as other physical activities. These scenarios can cause rotator cuff tears, labral tears and bicep tears to name a few.
The good news is that all of these conditions, even the traumatic injuries, can be treated with physical therapy. In physical therapy, we work to restore your range of motion, decrease pain and inflammation, and improve your strength. We focus on correcting muscles imbalances to avoid recurrent injuries and re-training your postural muscles to improve joint mechanics and decrease unnecessary strain on your shoulder muscles.
If you are, or someone you know is having shoulder pain, don’t try to push through the pain and risk further injury. Our expert therapists can evaluate your symptoms and determine the correct course of treatment. Prolonging treatment can lead to more serious, chronic conditions that take a lot longer to recover from. Our therapists would be happy to help you get back to the activities you love!
