Shoulder Pain and Physical Therapy
Did you know that the shoulder is the most moveable joint in the human body? It is no wonder it is at high risk for injury and pain. 18-26% of Americans will experience shoulder pain in their lifetime.
The Cause of Shoulder Pain
The cause of shoulder pain varies, but the outcome may include difficulty raising your arm, shoulder weakness, pain when trying to lift items, and pain that worsens at night. Pain is an indicator of inflammation, trauma, or tendon damage.
Here are eight common causes of shoulder pain:
Physical therapy is a non-invasive solution to shoulder pain for many patients.
Shoulder Pain and Physical Therapy
Often, physical therapy resolves shoulder pain without surgery. For those that do need surgery, your physician may prescribe PT both before and after surgery. The length of recovery and number of therapy sessions depends on the patient.
The goals of physical therapy for shoulder pain include altering everyday activities, a home exercise routine, and improved mobility. As muscles around shoulder joints strengthen, the shoulder is supported, and daily activity becomes more manageable.
Poor posture leads to inflammation and mobility issues. Many feel that all shoulder pain is due to trauma or overuse, but sitting at your desk for hours may be the root cause of your shoulder pain. You may include activity modification and workforce ergonomics in your unique physical therapy plan.
What to Expect at Your Physical Therapy Appointment
You will meet with a physical therapy specialist during your first appointment at The Therapy network. After an evaluation, your therapist will create a custom plan to meet your needs. The program will include some or all of these methods:
Find out about shoulder pain and physical therapy at The Therapy Network. TTN has appointments available today. Schedule an appointment at one of our six Virginia coastal locations.