Physical Therapy for Shoulder Pain
The shoulder is made up of several different joints, including the humerus, the scapula, the clavicle, and many bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles to aid in movement. These joints work together to allow for a range of motion in your arm, everything from lifting weights to eating a snack.
Shoulder pain can be a sign of deeper underlying injuries, such as frozen shoulder or tendonitis. It can easily occur in the left or right shoulder, or both, depending on how you use it. If left untreated, shoulder pain can lead to further pain, disability, frustration, and decreased quality of life.
What are the Most Common Causes of Shoulder Pain?
Shoulder pain is an incredibly popular complaint and is characterized by discomfort in the shoulder or other areas of the arm. Some of the most common shoulder pain injuries, diagnoses, and conditions include:
- AC Joint Sprain
- Biceps Tendonitis
- Cervical Radiculopathy
- Frozen Shoulder
- Impingement of Soft Tissue
- Labral tears
- MDI (Multi-Directional Instability)
- Overuse Injuries
- Rotator Cuff Tears
- Shoulder Bursitis
- Shoulder Dislocation
- Shoulder Fracture
- Tendonitis
How Can a Physical Therapist Help with Shoulder Pain?
Regardless of your condition or pain level, physical therapy for shoulder pain can improve your overall mobility and comfort.
At Bayside Physical Therapy, our physical therapists are skilled in evaluating, treating, and managing patients with a wide range of shoulder pain issues. They can pinpoint the cause of your shoulder pain and identify the right treatment plan, manual techniques, and exercises for you.
Some of the most common types of physical therapy for shoulder pain include:
- Functional activities such as lifting and carrying
- Manual therapy
- Soft tissue manipulation
- Stretching
- Strengthening exercises
- Range of motion exercises
When Should You Seek Help for Shoulder Pain?
If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, contact Bayside Physical Therapy for prompt assistance with the problem:
- Difficulty maneuvering arm for dressing self
- Inability to reach a high shelf
- Pain with lifting or carrying items
- Sharp pain with pushing, pulling or reachingÂ
- Shoulder ache at rest
If your shoulder pain is sudden and not related to an injury, you should call 911 immediately, as it may be a sign of a heart attack or other medical emergency.