Shoulder Pain- Physiotherapy for Shoulder Pain

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Shoulder Pain- Physiotherapy for Shoulder Pain

Description/Introduction

The Shoulder is one of only two ball and socket joints of the body, this allows it a greater degree of freedom when it comes to movement, at the cost of stability. A painful shoulder can cause hindrances to daily activities such as difficulties is reaching and lifting objects as well as difficulty with tasks such as bathing and dressing/ undressing. Physio Asia Therapy Centre aims to target shoulder pain at the root and build a strong foundation of strength and mobility to prevent secondary injuries.

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.