Shoulder Pain
EXPERIENCE A MORE COMFORTABLE LIFE: SAY GOODBYE TO SHOULDER PAIN!
The significance of our shoulders in nearly every movement cannot be overstated, making it crucial to address any discomfort they may cause.
Shoulder pain can stem from various factors, ranging from temporary discomfort due to a pulled muscle to the excruciating friction of arthritis when bones rub against each other.
This pain may result from injuries, leading to a feeling of immobility in the shoulder. Additionally, it can manifest in different situations, such as reaching for items on the top shelf or struggling to find a comfortable sleeping position.
At Gear Up Physical Therapy and Wellness, we understand the importance of providing natural pain management solutions for shoulder issues. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment at our Telford physical therapy clinic today. Our team will guide you through the available shoulder pain treatment options.
Causes of Shoulder Pain: Understanding the Common Conditions
Tendinitis
Tendinitis occurs when the shoulder joint undergoes excessive overuse, often due to the demands of a person’s job, overhead activities, or sports. Poor posture can also contribute to this condition, altering the normal forces on the tendons and making them susceptible to injury. The result is ongoing inflammation, leading to swelling and painful impingement when raising the arm.
Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
A frozen shoulder is characterized by a painful loss of motion in the shoulder joint, causing severe limitations in movement. It can develop after prolonged immobilization, such as being in a cast or sling for an extended period or prolonged bed rest. Certain ethnicities may be more predisposed, and women between 40-60 years old tend to be more affected than men.
Impingement
Impingement is often caused by abnormal movement and tracking of the humeral head when lifting the arm overhead. It is a common injury associated with overhead weightlifting. Pain is typically felt when lifting the arm at or above 90 degrees.
Arthritis
The shoulder can be affected by two main forms of arthritis: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Both conditions result in a loss of motion, weakness in the shoulder muscles, and difficulty performing daily tasks. Rheumatoid arthritis involves the immune system attacking the shoulder joint’s membranes, leading to pain and inflammation. Conversely, osteoarthritis occurs due to the gradual “wear and tear” of cartilage in the shoulder joint, often associated with aging or excessive overuse.
Understanding the Function of the Shoulder
The shoulder is a remarkable “ball-and-socket” joint where the head of the upper arm bone (humerus) perfectly fits into the corresponding space within the shoulder blade (scapula). The ends of the bones are protected by a thick layer of cartilage, preventing friction during movement.
Fluid-filled sacs known as “bursae” shield the tendons from rubbing against the bones. Tendons connect the bones of the shoulder to the rotator cuff group.
Shoulders possess an impressive range of motion, more than any other joint in the body. However, such versatility also comes with the risk of pain and discomfort.
What Does A Shoulder Pain Physical Therapy Treatment Plan Look Like?
A physical therapy treatment plan for shoulder pain offers a natural and comfortable approach to alleviating discomfort without resorting to harmful drugs or invasive procedures. At Gear Up, our skilled physical therapists have successfully treated various shoulder pain conditions, with many patients experiencing significant improvement and relief after just a few short sessions.
Physical therapists are experts in movement and possess specialized training to assess and address pain through various diagnostic techniques.
During your evaluation, your physical therapist will thoroughly examine your range of motion, strength, coordination, medical history, joint mobility, and joint motion mechanics.
Once the root cause of your shoulder pain is identified, your physical therapist will create a personalized treatment plan to effectively manage and relieve your discomfort.
The plan may incorporate gentle manual therapy techniques to restore normal joint movement, release soft tissue restrictions, and enhance circulation. Additionally, specific therapeutic exercises will be included to regain strength and promote the proper sequence of muscle activation around the shoulder joint.
An additional benefit of physical therapy lies in teaching you new ways to move your body, enhancing strength, and preventing future shoulder problems.
Why Is Physical Therapy A Great Option For Treating Shoulder Pain?
Rotator cuff injuries, commonly called “torn shoulders,” often present with deep shoulder pain, arm weakness, difficulty reaching behind the back, and disrupted sleep due to discomfort.
Proper physical therapy can significantly reduce pain and restore strength to the rotator cuff, even for partial tears. Surgery might be necessary in severe situations, but rehabilitation through physical therapy remains a crucial aspect of the recovery process.
The American Physical Therapy Association highlights a recent Finnish study suggesting that for nontraumatic rotator cuff tears, physical therapy alone produces results comparable to those achieved by arthroscopic surgery and open surgical repair.
At Gear Up Physical Therapy and Wellness, we offer natural methods to help alleviate shoulder pain and heal rotator cuff injuries.
Don’t let shoulder pain dictate your life. Our Telford-based physical therapy practice is dedicated to supporting you to resume your favorite activities without enduring pain.
Contact Gear Up Physical Therapy and Wellness today to schedule an appointment and embark on your path to pain relief!
At Gear Up Physical Therapy and Wellness, we’ve created a 3 step process to get rid of your pain AND make sure it doesn’t come back again.
Step #1 - We Want To Listen To Your Story
Our medical system is frustrating. You wait weeks, sometimes months, for an appointment, only to get to talk to the doctors for 10 minutes before they have to run to the next patient and you’re left sitting there wondering, “What just happened?”
Even most physical therapy clinics operate this way. They’re not attentive, they’re fast-paced, and the therapist lacks the time to address the exact location of your pain.
This is why our first step is to listen to your story.
After working with lots of people with Shoulder Pain we know that no two people are alike. Each person has a different body, a different history, and different types of pain.
That is why our first step is to have an open conversation and time for you to tell your story. That way we get a deep understanding of what’s going on not just with your body, but also how it’s impacting your life.
Step #2 - Find Out WHY The Pain Started
Many people have a diagnosis, or medical term for what’s going on with their body. Maybe their doctor gave it to them, maybe tests showed the diagnosis, or maybe they found it online.
You could have been told that your only choice was to rest, take painkillers, or start thinking about surgery.
Sometimes, those things bring temporary relief, but they’re not addressing what CAUSED the problem in the first place.
Every person’s cause of pain is different. No one has the exact same problem caused by the exact same thing as another person.
Our goal at Gear Up Physical Therapy and Wellness is to find that original cause of your pain, so not only does your pain go away, it STAYS AWAY!
During the Shoulder Pain Assessment, you’ll find out what’s wrong, how long it’s going to take to fix it, and give you peace of mind that your problem can be fixed naturally!
Step #3 - Get Rid Of The Pain & Keep It From Coming Back
This is when the big transformation occurs. We develop a personalized plan that allows you to…
…Get back to daily activities without fear of the pain coming back.
…Be able to get back to enjoying your favorite activities, sports, or workouts
Our best clients are those who are motivated and ready to win back their active lifestyle. (Even if they feel stuck right now!)
Want to know more about our availability and costs before making any commitment to coming in?
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