How Physical Therapy Can Help Shoulder Pain

The shoulder is one of the most used and mobile joints in the body, which is why it can be so difficult when you are experiencing pain or an injury in that area. A complex ball and socket joint, essentially, the shoulder is made of the humerus (arm bone), the scapula (shoulder blade), and clavicle (collarbone). Due in large part to how much we use our shoulders, this joint is incredibly susceptible to injury. There are many different types of shoulder pain and injuries, but two of the most common causes of pain are overuse and poor posture. In today’s society many people spend the entire day typing on a computer, hunched over and full of concentration. We often don’t realize just how hard this is on our bodies overall, especially our shoulders.

There are many different symptoms and types of shoulder pain that people can experience – including an aching, burning pain right between the shoulder and the neck. Others complain of a sharp pain at the tip of the shoulder when reaching their arms overhead. Regardless of the type of pain, it is a good idea to take action as soon as possible. The longer you ignore it and don’t seek treatment, the worse it will get.

When it comes to shoulder pain or injuries, there are numerous different treatment options, from surgery and medication to physical therapy. In recent years alternative forms of medicine have become more widely used to treat a host of injuries and ailments, including shoulder injuries. In order to better understand how you may benefit from physical therapy for your shoulder injury, we thought it would be helpful to go over some of the most common shoulder problems people experience. If you are living with any of the following, we encourage you to consult a Grand Prairie physical therapist to see if this is a viable option for you.

Common Shoulder Injuries and Problems

Some of the most common shoulder problems and injuries that can be treated with physical therapy include:

• Rotator Cuff Tendonitis – Rotator cuff problems are some of the most common – and painful – that people experience. The rotator cuff works to support and move the shoulder and its primary role is to hold the ball of the arm bone in the socket when it moves. When this muscle group sustains an injury, it can be detrimental to a person’s range of motion and quality of life.
• Shoulder Bursitis – The bursa is the fluid filled sac that allows the body’s various components to work smoothly with one another. When the bursa that lies between the humerus bone and the shoulder blade becomes pinched, it can be quite painful.
• Frozen Shoulder – Also referred to as ‘adhesive capsulitis’, this condition occurs when the shoulder gradually loses motion. In some instances, the patient will not have motion in the shoulder for upwards of 18 months.
• Shoulder Fracture – This is one of the most painful and traumatic injuries a person can sustain to their shoulder. One of the most common accidents that results in this injury is when someone falls on an outstretched arm. When this happens, the collarbone, scapula, and the humerus may all be injured, resulting in a long recovery.

If you are dealing with one of this shoulder injuries or another type of shoulder pain, please contact our Arlington physical therapy clinic. We will be able to evaluate and treat your shoulder pain in a manageable and accessible manner that will help improve your overall quality of life without the need for surgery. To learn more about the benefits of physical therapy for shoulder pain, please contact Classic Rehabilitation today.