You’ve probably just spend the past month or so sprucing up your garden, putting mulch out around your home, and/or performing other projects while the weather was a bit more tolerable. Now it’s summer, and you get to look at all of the sweat equity that you just finished putting in. You may also notice that your shoulder is talking to you.
It’s pretty common that different joints become sore after repetitive use over a short period of time. The shoulder is no exception. Your shoulder is a joint that is very mobile and is made up of multiple muscles which attach to the bones via tendons. Those muscles and tendons, the rotator cuff, are notorious for getting inflamed and becoming painful with overuse. In addition, as we get older, usually in our 50’s and 60’s, it is common to find arthritis in the joint. This is just from “wear and tear” over time. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Is it painful to reach overhead into the kitchen cabinet or to change a light bulb?
- Does it hurt to try to put a shirt on when getting dressed?
- Are you experiencing pain trying to wash your hair or your back?
- Are you unable to lie on your side to sleep?
- Does your shoulder hurt when you try to carry groceries?
- Does your shoulder feel sore and stiff when you get up in the morning, but improves as the day goes on?
If you answered yes to any of these questions you may have a shoulder problem. It is important to be mindful of your pain as early on as possible. This will ensure that your shoulder receives the proper attention it needs to get better instead of worse!
Physical therapy is commonly prescribed for shoulder pain and stiffness, and if caught early enough can prevent you from having to take more non-conservative approaches to dealing with your pain. These other alternatives are often injections, and/or surgery. Physical therapists can assess the issue you are having and determine right away what may be causing your pain and what can be done to help make it better. Time will be spent educating you on your problem and explaining how it can improve with therapy. Exercises will be given to address strength and range of motion impairments and hands on techniques will be used to decrease pain and improve mobility. If physical therapy is found to not be appropriate, we can refer you to a specialist for further help, however in most cases, a course of physical therapy will get you back to doing the things you love! Call our office TODAY at 703-450-4300.
