17 Oct Physical Therapy for Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal conditions treated by a physical therapist. This is because nearly 40 percent of people will experience shoulder pain at some point in their lifetime. We as individuals are extremely complex, and the shoulder is an intricate joint. This means that everyone’s shoulder pain is a little different and will be treated as such. Fortunately, physical and occupational therapists are experts in the evaluation and treatment of shoulder pain.
Research has shown that physical therapy can reduce pain and disability while also helping to reduce the need for surgery, prolonged medication use, and steroid injections. This is true whether you have been diagnosed with a rotator cuff strain, subacromial impingement syndrome, or simply have an achey shoulder.
At TRIO, shoulder pain treatment with one of our physical therapists may include a resistance exercise program, a progressive aerobic exercise routine, manual therapy, and education. You’ll also receive a home exercise program to empower you to self-manage and treat your shoulder pain safely. You will also have access to an online portal where you can view your home program, ask your therapist a question, and track your progress. Each aspect of your care will be uniquely tailored to your ability, goals, and interests.
Speed up shoulder pain recovery with three important reminders:
1. Remain Active…Motion is Lotion
Try to keep moving as much as you comfortably can. Research has shown that staying active can be very beneficial in your recovery. It is good to continue your day-to-day activities and participate in light-exercise, such as walking. If any of these activities increase your shoulder discomfort, it is okay to discontinue them and try something else. If you have had surgery, it is very important that you adhere to any precautions your surgeon has given you.
2. Hurt Does Not Always Equal Harm
Many people with shoulder pain initially limit their activity because they are afraid to cause damage to their shoulder. As mentioned above, staying active is very important in your recovery. The human body is remarkably strong and resilient, so it is highly unlikely that your normal day-to-day activities will do anything harmful to your shoulder. The severity of pain does not always match the level of damage to your body. Think of how painful stubbed toes can be, especially in the morning when you’re half asleep. There is very little tissue damage with a stubbed toe, but significant discomfort. With this in mind, it is important to be conscious of your pain, but do not let it scare you!
3. Communicate Changes in Your Symptoms
If you notice any severe increases in shoulder discomfort, develop a fever, or have difficulty with your medications– especially if you’ve had a recent surgery/operation– please contact a physical therapist immediately.