[Englewood Cliffs Pain Management] Find Shoulder Pain Relief With Physical Therapy

Shoulder pain can be a persistent and debilitating condition that hinders daily activities, ranging from simple tasks like reaching for objects to more complex movements like lifting and carrying.

Shoulder pain is surprisingly common, especially in sports and older individuals, and is often treated with an initial round of anti-inflammatory medication. While many individuals turn to medications or even surgery to find relief, unfortunately, these medications typically work only briefly, if at all, or may obscure other serious injuries and complications.

However, physical therapy is an alternative and highly safe and effective treatment. Our Englewood Cliffs Pain Management Center offers physical therapy to help individuals regain their range of motion, strength, and overall quality of life.

This blog post will explore shoulder pain and the range of physical therapy services that can offer a holistic approach to addressing such issues.

Physical Therapy Helps Determine The Cause Of The Pain

Shoulder pain can be caused by a number of different things, from simple strains to more serious injuries. Physical therapy can help treat problems such as arthritis, sprains, and strains or post-surgical rehabilitation. The first step in treating shoulder pain is figuring out what's causing it.

The following are some of the most common causes of shoulder pain:

• Injuries resulting from sports activities, such as tennis and golf

• Repetitive overhead motions (e.g., throwing)

• Falling on an outstretched hand

• Arthritis and other degenerative conditions that affect the joints

Physical therapists can determine the cause of your shoulder pain and provide treatment options to help relieve symptoms and improve function. Physical therapists have a variety of treatments they can offer you depending on your specific condition.

Physical therapists are trained professionals who can help you understand what's causing your pain and help you develop a plan to make your pain go away. They may ask you about your symptoms and examine your shoulder joint, neck, and upper extremity muscles to make a diagnosis. If they suspect a torn rotator cuff or dislocated shoulder joint, they may recommend an MRI scan or x-ray to confirm their suspicions.

Physical Therapy Can Help Correct Muscle Imbalances

Shoulder pain is very common, especially in the older population. The most common causes of shoulder pain are rotator cuff injuries and biceps tendinitis. These injuries can be due to overuse, trauma, or a combination of both. Physical therapy can help correct muscle imbalances that cause these conditions.

Physical therapy is a treatment that uses exercise and manual manipulation to restore strength and mobility to injured or weakened muscles and joints. It's a safe and effective treatment for many conditions, including those affecting the shoulders.

Physical therapists have been trained extensively in how to evaluate movement in the body and determine if there are any problems with posture or alignment that could be causing pain.

They also have extensive training in anatomy and physiology, so they know exactly where your body should be positioned for optimal health and performance. If something isn't working correctly in your body — whether it's an injured tissue or joint — physical therapy can help address these issues so your body can function normally again.

Physical Therapy Can Help Fix And Correct Your Posture

A physical therapist can help fix your posture so you aren't straining your shoulders to perform daily tasks. A physical therapist can show you exercises that will strengthen muscles around the neck and back that support your shoulders, improving your posture and reducing pain. Correcting your posture can also alleviate back pain and neck pain related to poor posture.

In addition, physical therapy can teach you exercises that you can do at home to relieve muscle soreness, improve flexibility, and strengthen your core muscles (back and stomach). A therapist will show you how to do these exercises correctly to maximize their benefits.

Physical Therapy Can Help You Restore Your Range Of Motion And Strength

Physical therapy uses a combination of specialized exercises, manual techniques, and targeted interventions to address a wide spectrum of shoulder issues. These tailored exercises are designed to improve flexibility, restore joint function, and strengthen the muscles surrounding the shoulder joint.

Physical therapy is a treatment approach that uses:

Manual techniques — using joint mobilizations and soft tissue manipulation to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and enhance blood circulation

Therapeutic exercise — developing an exercise program based on each patient's needs

Modalities — using heat or cold packs for pain relief

Modalities — using heat or cold packs for pain relief

Strength training — improving muscle strength by using weights or resistance bands

Stretching exercises — increasing flexibility and range of motion in joints

Postural training — improving the alignment of muscles, bones, and joints through exercises designed to increase balance and stability.

Physical Therapy Can Stop Chronic Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain is a common complaint that can affect anyone at any age. Often, shoulder pain is caused by an injury or accident, such as a fall or car accident. In this case, the shoulder is typically injured and painful immediately following the event.

But sometimes, shoulder pain comes on gradually over time. This type of shoulder pain can be debilitating and lead to serious problems if left untreated.

Physical therapy can help prevent painful conditions from worsening and provide effective treatment for a variety of shoulder injuries and chronic pain.

Physical therapists will evaluate your condition and come up with an individualized treatment plan designed to help relieve your pain and improve your mobility so you can get back to your daily activities as quickly as possible. Seek help from a physical therapist if you have shoulder pain that doesn't go away after three months.

Physical Therapy Can Make A Big Difference

Physical therapists are trained to help patients recover from shoulder pain and injury, and many have advanced expertise in rehabilitation for the shoulder. Physical therapy can be used as a primary form of treatment or can complement other types of therapy.

Whether you're looking for relief from specific symptoms, dealing with a sports-related injury, chronic discomfort, or post-operative recovery, or trying to prevent an injury before it happens, physical therapy can help you heal quickly, provide lasting relief, and prevent further problems down the road.

Through the transformative power of physical therapy, our expert team of dedicated professionals empowers patients with personalized, evidence-based approaches that address the root causes of shoulder discomfort.

By focusing on restoring function, improving mobility, and enhancing strength, our Englewood Cliffs Pain Management Center pioneers a path toward lasting relief without relying solely on medication or invasive procedures.