Shoulder Pain- Physiotherapy for Shoulder Pain

Clinical Signs and Symptoms

Pain in the shoulder may also present with:

• Muscle tension around the area of the neck and arm
• Pain that can be felt radiating down the arm.
• Swelling and Stiffness around the joint
• Pain/ Stiffness during reaching for objects and picking up objects from the ground.
• Difficulty in daily activities such as bathing, eating, and dressing/undressing.
• Numbness on the joint and even down the arm
• Muscle Spasm

Causes

Shoulder Pain may be caused by one of the following underlying conditions.

• Rotator Cuff Injuries:
  • Rotator Cuff Tears: Partial or full tears of the tendons connected to the arm bone. These can result from trauma or repetitive motion.
  • Tendinitis: Inflammation of the rotator cuff tendons due to overuse.
• Arthritis:
  • Osteoarthritis: Wear and tear of the joint cartilage.
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis: An autoimmune condition affecting the shoulder joint.
• Bursitis:
  • Inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion the bones, tendons, and muscles near the shoulder joint.
• Adhesive Capsulitis (Frozen Shoulder):
  • A condition characterized by stiffness and reduced range of motion in the shoulder joint.
• Fractures:
  • Bone fractures in the shoulder due to direct injury or osteoporosis.
• Referred Pain:
  • Pain originating from other areas (e.g., neck arthritis, liver or lung diseases) but felt in the shoulder.
• Muscle Strains:
  • Injury or inflammation of shoulder or upper arm muscles.
• Labral Tears:
  • Cartilage injuries within the shoulder joint.
• Nerve Compression or Injury:
  • Conditions affecting the brachial plexus or other nerves in the shoulder region.
• Shoulder Instability:
  • Dislocation or subluxation of the shoulder joint.

How Can Physiotherapy Help with Shoulder Pain:

Physical therapy can help manage shoulder pain and aid in returning to normal everyday function. Our PTs are trained to provide relief by doing the following:

• Laser Therapy and Ultrasound Therapy: Used for heating and promotes tissue healing.
• Interferential Therapy: Stimulates the muscle and nerve fibers.
• Shockwave Therapy: to relieve pain.
• Exercise Therapy: Muscle Strengthening and Stretching and training to improve overall function.
• Postural Training: for the best positions for weight bearing to reduce stress on the muscles and joints.
• Education: Learning different techniques to perform daily activities even while being limited
• Manual Therapy: Manual techniques such as trigger point release is beneficial in improving mobility and reduce pain.