Physical Therapy for Shoulder Pain
Have you sustained an injury in a sport that involves excessive shoulder use or have been doing a lot of physical yard work? You might be experiencing shoulder pain as a result. This problem can heavily impact how much physical activity you can get done due to decreased mobility and strength. Thankfully, physical therapy can help you get your shoulder back into shape. If you or someone you know is looking for physical therapy in East Northport, Island Sports Physical Therapy is here for you.
Causes of Shoulder Pain
Before covering physical therapy solutions, it’s important to remember what kind of physical ailments and injuries can cause shoulder pain. It is best to go to a physical therapist for a full assessment of your shoulder so they can give you a proper diagnosis. However, you may be wondering, “What kind of conditions can cause shoulder pain?” Some of the many causes of shoulder pain are as follows:
- Rotator cuff injury/tendinitis
- Brachial plexus injury
- Dislocated shoulder
- Frozen shoulder
- Shoulder impingement
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Bursitis
- Shoulder sprains/strains
Therapists can treat many of these conditions with physical therapy modalities! At Island Sports PT, we can examine your shoulder and determine the best course of action based on your injury.
When Should You See a Therapist for Shoulder Pain?
People may be hesitant to go to a physical therapist because they don’t think that they need one. If you are someone who doesn’t know if you should visit a therapist, ask yourself the following questions:
- Is my pain manageable with pain medication and rest?
- Has it bothered me more than once? Are these bouts of pain frequent or severe?
- Am I able to use my arm properly? Can I lift or rotate my arm?
- Is the injured shoulder weaker than the other shoulder?
- Do I have a dislocated shoulder or feel like my shoulder will slide out?
Do your answers indicate that your pain is unmanageable or repetitive, your shoulder or arm is weak, or that you have a dislocated shoulder? You may want to consider visiting a physical therapist so your pain will lessen and that you can use your shoulder properly again.
Physical Therapy Treatments for Shoulder Pain
A physical therapist knows how to best treat your shoulder based on general knowledge and prior experience. Based on your injury or ailment, they can determine what treatment you should undergo so you can see the best and quickest pain relief possible.
You may be wondering what kind of physical therapy modalities can help you with your shoulder pain. Two types of physical therapy treatments exist for pain in the body: pain management and function restoration.
The pain management portion of physical therapy in East Northport focuses on reducing pain and inflammation to make the person more comfortable and mobile before restoring the affected area’s function. Different pain management modalities that physical therapists may use are as follows:
- Ultrasound therapy: This treatment involves the use of sound waves to cause vibrations in the tissue. By vibrating the tissue, physical therapists increase the shoulder’s mobility, reduce pain, increase blood flow, and speed up the healing process.
- Heat therapy: This form of therapy is best for stiff shoulders and arthritis. By applying heat to the shoulder, the shoulder’s muscles will relax and soothe its stiffness.
- Cryotherapy: This treatment involves the use of cold temperatures on an injury. Cryotherapy reduces swelling and pain in the area, and therapists also use it on frozen shoulders.
The function restoration portion of physical therapy aims to increase the shoulder’s movement and get it back to the functionality that it had before the time of the ailment or injury.
- Mobilization exercises: These exercises aim to increase the amount of movement that your shoulder can accomplish. Exercises that your therapist may tell you to do include but are not limited to are arm swings, rotations with dumbbells, and cross-arm stretches.
- Strengthening exercises: These exercises involve strengthening the shoulder muscles to prevent another injury. Some exercises that can support the shoulder include shoulder shrugs, table push ups, and slide-laying internal/external rotations.
These exercises also aim to stabilize the shoulder and prevent later injury, especially if you are experiencing shoulder pain from a rotator cuff injury. At Island Sports PT, we provide exercise regimens and pain management modalities to get your shoulder back into working shape!
Physical Therapy in East Northport
Shoulder pain makes daily living difficult, especially if you cannot manage it with rest or medication and if it makes your shoulder weaker. Physical therapy can make your shoulder pain-free and help it work well again! If you or someone you know is looking for physical therapy in East Northport, Island Sports Physical Therapy can help. Please visit our website to learn more about us. Make an appointment with us today to get the care you need!