Shoulder injuries are incredibly common and happen to people of all ages. An injury to the shoulder can range from a mild strain to a severe tear that requires surgery. However, physical therapy is often an effective treatment option for many shoulder injuries. Let’s explore the most common shoulder injuries and how they can be treated with physical therapy.
Rotator Cuff Injuries
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder joint. They provide stability and allow for a wide range of motion. Rotator cuff injuries are common among athletes who participate in sports that involve overhead movements – such as baseball, tennis, and swimming. However, you can injure your rotator cuff in other ways besides playing sports.
Physical therapy is often the first line of treatment for rotator cuff injuries. It usually consists of exercises to strengthen the muscles around the shoulder, stretching, and range-of-motion exercises to improve flexibility.
Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that causes pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint. It typically develops gradually and can be caused by injury, surgery, or a medical condition such as diabetes. Physical therapy is an effective treatment option for frozen shoulders and is often recommended by doctors. Treatment may include exercises to improve range of motion, massage, and other manual therapies to relieve pain and stiffness.
Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
Shoulder impingement syndrome occurs when the tendons and bursa in the shoulder become compressed, causing pain and inflammation. This condition happens often with athletes but also with people who work physically intensive jobs like construction workers, electricians, or plumbers. Physical therapy is an effective treatment option for shoulder impingement syndrome and patients can see improvement reasonably quickly.
If you are experiencing shoulder pain or have been diagnosed with a shoulder injury, physical therapy can help. Give Activity First a call to get started today.