Shoulder pain and shoulder injuries are one of the most common injuries we see at Loudoun Sports Therapy Center whether the cause is from an injury or overuse. Some of the most common ailments related to the shoulder that we see include tight/overworked muscles, tendonitis, impingement and , joint stiffness. All of these can cause pain, weakness, and decrease ability to perform everyday activities.
Common Causes of Shoulder Injury
- Traumatic injury/dislocation
- Weak musculature
- Repetitive movement
- Poor shoulder mechanics
- Post Surgery
Shoulder pain can present itself in many different ways. You may first notice pain and/or tightness when moving your arm in certain directions. Then, it may progress to where you start to lose range of motion. Limited range of motion is often first seen when:
- Trying to tuck in a shirt
- Fastening a bra
- Reaching into a cabinet.
Sometimes, shoulder pain can manifest itself further down the arm as well. The most common perpetrators of the shoulder pain are impingement of the rotator cuff muscles and biceps tendons. They hurt when you lift your arm above shoulder height. This can become a vicious cycle because repetitive motion can cause pain, which stops you from lifting arm above your head, which then leads to further loss of mobility, which then leads to further pain
Physical Therapy can Help
Don’t wait to let the pain progress and affect your daily activities or work. Seek help as soon as the problem starts. Physical therapy is an effective, conservative way to relieve your shoulder pain and help you return to the activities you enjoy doing pain free. At Loudoun Sports Therapy Center, one of our Doctors of Physical Therapy will take you through a thorough evaluation to determine where the pain is coming from and how to treat it. They will talk to you about your daily activities and what leisure activities or work-related tasks you’d like to and/or need to get back doing. That could be anything from sleeping through the entire night pain free to returning to baseball or even gardening. We will be able to get you out of the vicious cycle of pain.
By: Jason Makoutz, DPT
If you or someone you know has experienced or is currently experiencing any limited range of motion or just have generally achiness/pain in your shoulder, call our office today at 703-450-4300. We can evaluate you and determine what steps you need to take to return back to your pain free life!
CLICK HERE for more on how physical therapy can help you.
