Physical therapy for shoulder pain: What to expect for treatment and recovery

If you’ve ever experienced shoulder pain, you’re not alone. It’s a relatively common type of pain to have; research estimates that shoulder pain occurs at a rate of anywhere from 16% to 26% across the world. It’s more common in people who have diabetes, older adults, those who perform repetitive movements and especially athletes. In fact, almost 42% of athletes reported having shoulder problems including pain at some point, according to one study. 

Are you someone who’s involved in sports and experiencing pain in your shoulder? You may want to read up on the causes of shoulder pain and what you can expect during treatment at physical therapy. 

What are some of the common causes of shoulder pain that require physical therapy?

There are many reasons why a person might be experiencing shoulder pain. Many types of shoulder pain can be effectively treated during physical therapy. Here are some of the common causes of shoulder pain that would benefit from physical therapy treatment: 

• Rotator cuff injuries — One of the common causes of shoulder pain is a rotator cuff injury. There are several types of rotator cuff injuries. They can cause pain, arm weakness and unusual shoulder sounds. 
• Shoulder impingement — Another common cause of shoulder pain is shoulder impingement. This condition occurs when the connective tissue of the shoulder rubs against the shoulder blade. It can be treated by a physical therapist to reduce pain and decrease inflammation. 
• Tendon tears — Another cause of shoulder pain that could require physical therapy is a torn tendon in the shoulder. Most physical therapists have experience treating tendon tears and may be able to help you reduce some pain and discomfort.
• Tendinitis — Inflammation of the tendons is another reason for shoulder pain and is a condition that is commonly treated during physical therapy. A physical therapist can help minimize inflammation and restore function to the affected tendon.
• Frozen shoulder — Frozen shoulder can also cause shoulder pain that requires treatment from a physical therapist. Frozen shoulder is a condition that develops over time and can lead to pain and a limited range of motion in the shoulder. 

What can you expect during treatment for shoulder pain recovery at physical therapy?

If you’ve never been to physical therapy for your shoulder, you might not know what to expect. These are just a few of the several processes you’ll go through during PT: 

• You can expect to perform strengthening exercises — If you’re going into physical therapy for the treatment of your shoulder, you can expect that you will do several strengthening exercises. Exercises that are designed to improve muscle strength can help support the ligaments, joints, tendons and muscles that all work together in your shoulder. Building muscle strength can also help protect against future injuries to your shoulder.
• You can expect to perform stretching exercises — When you go into physical therapy for shoulder pain treatment, you can expect to perform a variety of stretching exercises. Stretching can help reduce tension in the muscles and stimulate blood flow to the shoulder.
• You can expect to receive manual treatment — If you’re going to physical therapy for your shoulder pain, you can also expect to receive manual treatment. Your physical therapist will use their hands to break up muscle knots and guide you through a series of carefully planned movements.

REPAIR SI can help you ease your shoulder pain and get to the sport you love

Our team at REPAIR SI aims to provide you with a level of high-quality treatment that can’t be found anywhere else. Our range of services includes physical therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture and fitness training. Your best physical, mental and spiritual life can be attained when you visit us for your care. We emphasize whole-body treatment, which means your care isn’t limited to just one problem area. Your overall wellness is the most important to us. That’s why we’ve partnered with our community to provide you with the innovative care and quality resources that you need to address your health and wellness. 

Each of our team members is committed to serving our community in a compassionate, professional manner to ensure the best possible outcomes. Whatever your reason for visiting us may be, you can feel confident that you’re getting high-quality care.

If you’re an athlete dealing with an injury that’s causing you pain, you’re probably searching for the quickest and most efficient treatment. Physical therapy can provide efficient treatment as well as long-term results. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us to get started now. 

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.