If you’re experiencing shoulder pain with certain movements or while trying to sleep, physical therapy can help you get the shoulder pain relief you deserve. One common culprit of this pain could be your rotator cuff.
The rotator cuff plays a crucial role in providing the strength and stability needed for everyday activities such as:
- Brushing your hair
- Brushing your teeth
- Lifting objects overhead
- Throwing a baseball.
The rotator cuff is made up of four muscles that surround your shoulder joint, guiding and controlling how your shoulder moves. When your rotator cuff is weak or injured, it can cause poor shoulder movement, leading to inflammation and pain. Shoulder pain relief begins with strengthening and stabilizing this area.
What Causes Shoulder Pain?
An injured rotator cuff often results from repetitive or forceful movements of the shoulder, but it can also occur after a fall. Rotator cuff injuries are one of the most common upper body injuries, affecting individuals of all ages. Studies show that 30% of people under 70 and up to 70% of those over 80 experience a rotator cuff tear, which often leads to shoulder pain.
Finding Shoulder Pain Relief
Relieving shoulder pain involves restoring normal shoulder movement and strengthening the muscles around the joint. The primary goal isn’t necessarily to heal the torn muscle or tendon, but to reduce inflammation and improve shoulder mechanics. This can be achieved with the right physical therapy!
Simple Tips for Shoulder Pain Relief
- Rest and ice frequently. Ice for 10 minutes right on the shoulder joint, even if it aches in your mid arm area.
- Sleep hugging a pillow. This helps to properly space the shoulder joint. Tuck the pillow deep in your underarm.
- Posture Correction. Stand with your back up against the wall and gently squeeze your shoulder blades back and together. Don’t shrug your shoulders. This will help retrain proper shoulder posture.
- Avoid heavy lifting or carrying objects (such as a purse or groceries), and repetitive reaching up overhead with that arm. Reaching up for objects that even as light as a cup can irritate the rotator cuff.
If your shoulder pain persists for more than 3-4 days, it’s time to seek help from a physical therapist.
How Physical Therapy Can Help
The goal of physical therapy is to improve the strength, stability, and mobility of the shoulder muscles and joint. Our expert physical therapists focus on strengthening smaller, often neglected muscles around the shoulder to compensate for damaged tendons. This not only improves shoulder mechanics but also reduces pain.
At Loudoun Sports Therapy Center, our skilled therapists use hands-on techniques to restore proper shoulder motion and guide you through exercises designed for long-term shoulder pain relief. The majority of people with rotator cuff tears can experience significant improvements through physical therapy, often avoiding the need for surgery.
Get Started with Physical Therapy Today!
Don’t let shoulder pain hold you back any longer. Contact us at 703-450-4300 or CLICK HERE to schedule your evaluation and start your journey toward shoulder pain relief today!
