Shoulder pain can present itself in a number of ways. You may feel it when you’re reaching to the top shelf to grab a glass or when you can’t seem to get comfortable at night, no matter how you try to adjust your sleeping position. Shoulder pain may occur as a result of an injury, leaving you with an immobile shoulder. The number of reasons why you may be experiencing shoulder pain is vast. Shoulder pain may range from the temporary discomfort of a pulled muscle to the agonizing bone-on-bone friction of arthritis. Fortunately, our physical therapy practice is equipped with the necessary methods and modalities to help you achieve shoulder pain relief in Meridian and Boise, ID. If you have been struggling with pain and are looking for relief, contact Rebound Physical Therapy today to schedule your appointment and find out how our services can benefit you!
Why do I have shoulder pain?
Your shoulder is a complex part of the body. It is known as a “ball-and-socket joint,” meaning that the humerus (head of the upper arm bone) fits perfectly in the corresponding space within the scapula (shoulder blade). The ends of the bone are protected by a thick layer of cartilage, preventing the bones from rubbing together. Fluid-filled sacs known as bursae also protect the tendons from rubbing against the bones. Your tendons attach the bones in the shoulder to another set of bones that are known as the rotator cuff.
Because of the shoulder’s many complexities, it is capable of achieving a large number of physical feats; however, it is also susceptible to an increased risk of pain and discomfort. There is a lot that goes on in the physical make-up of the shoulder, and if something goes wrong with its mechanical interplay, pain can result. Shoulder pain may range from a dull ache to a shooting pain, depending on how the pain developed.
Pain from tendon impingement typically occurs as you raise your arm up, but stops before the arm is raised completely skyward. Pain that has developed from a degenerated shoulder may create persistent aches every time you move your arm in certain directions. Acute injuries can result in sudden and intense pains that make it impossible for you to move your shoulder at all.
How did my shoulder pain develop?
Due to the complexities of the shoulder, there are several pain-causing conditions that may occur. WebMD states that some of the most common causes of shoulder pain are:
- Dislocation. Dislocations occur when the head of the humerus pops out of place. This type of injury has been reported as being extremely painful, and it’s unfortunately something that you become more vulnerable to after the first dislocation occurs.
- Tendinitis. Tendinitis in the shoulder joint occurs when the joint is excessively overused. Symptoms include swelling and painful impingement while raising the affected arm. This typically happens due to the demands of a sport or labor-intensive job, which can cause the tendons to experience ongoing inflammation.
- Frozen shoulder. Medically referred to as “adhesive capsulitis,” frozen shoulder can occur if you have been bedridden for an extended period of time or if your arm has been in a cast or sling for a while. When you don’t have opportunities to exercise the shoulder, the tissues can stiffen up on you, thus causing this painful condition to occur.
- Arthritis. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the two most common types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage in the shoulder joint experiences significant “wear and tear,” typically due to age or excessive overuse. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the immune system sees the joints as a threat. The immune system attacks the membranes surrounding the shoulder joint, resulting in pain and inflammation.
Contact Rebound Physical Therapy for Shoulder Pain Relief in Boise & Meridian:
The simple solution for shoulder pain relief in Boise & Meridian is physical therapy. It is a comfortable, safe, and natural way to alleviate your shoulder pain. In many cases, physical therapy treatments have even been able to eliminate the need for harmful pain-management drugs or surgical intervention. Our physical therapists are movement experts, experienced in treating a number of conditions that cause shoulder pain. At Rebound Physical Therapy, you may find improvement and relief after just a few short physical therapy sessions – and sometimes less!
Our physical therapists are trained to pinpoint the cause of your pain through a variety of diagnostic techniques. Our physical therapist may suggest taking X-rays to illustrate any dislocations or signs of arthritis. Range of motion tests may also be conducted in order to discover which of your soft tissues are contributing to your pain.
Once the root of your shoulder pain has been determined, our physical therapist will design a treatment plan based on your individual needs. This will typically include gentle exercises, which have proven to ease the pain of osteoarthritis and reduce the stiffness of frozen shoulder. They may also include more specialized techniques, such as ice and heat therapies, athletic training, or ergonomics. Strengthening programs may also be implemented as a way to rehabilitate injured muscles or help stabilize a shoulder that is prone to dislocation.
Raise your arms for the simple shoulder pain relief method. If you are suffering from shoulder pain, contact Rebound Physical Therapy today to secure your appointment and get started on the path toward recovery!
Read our blog post on finding relief with physical therapy by clicking here!
FAQs
What is the most common shoulder injury?
Sprains and strains are among the most commonly experienced overuse injuries in the shoulder area. A strain occurs when a muscle or tendon is stretched too far or torn. A sprain occurs when a ligament is stretched too far or torn. Strains and sprains can result in an ongoing shoulder pain that may make it difficult to partake in exercise or even daily tasks. If the strain or sprain is minor, it can sometimes be iced at home and healed with rest. More severe strains and sprains will often require physical therapy treatments. Additional shoulder injuries include a torn cartilage, dislocation, tendinitis, frozen shoulder, and arthritis.
How do you know if my shoulder injury is serious?
Your shoulders can accomplish several physical feats due to their structure – however, this also means that they are susceptible to an increased risk of injury because of their complexity. If something becomes damaged in the make-up of the shoulders, pain and discomfort can develop. This pain may range from a dull ache to shooting pains, depending on the severity of the condition. If you are experiencing severe pain, or pain lasting three months or longer, it could be indicative of a deeper issue.
How do I get my shoulder to stop hurting?
If your shoulder is causing you discomfort, physical therapy is the best way to ensure the highest rate of relief. Our physical therapists are highly trained to help improve the flexibility and range of motion in your shoulder, in addition to relieving your pain and discomfort. This will be done through an individualized treatment plan designed specifically for you, and may include any combination of treatment methods as your physical therapist deems fit, including manual therapy, ice and heat therapies, electrical nerve stimulation, or ultrasound. Your physical therapist will also prescribe targeted exercises and stretches to help regain your optimal shoulder function.</p>
How can physical therapy help with shoulder pain?
Two of the biggest goals of physical therapy are 1) to alleviate your pain and 2) to improve your function. Your physical therapist will work with you to make sure that both of these are achieved throughout your physical therapy sessions. Physical therapy has been proven to manage the pain of several conditions, and in many cases, it has even been proven to eliminate shoulder pain altogether, thus making the need for harmful drugs or surgical intervention obsolete.