There are many different factors that attribute to chronic shoulder pain. One thing is for sure though, dealing with shoulder pain can make completing daily tasks nearly impossible without treatment.
If you or a loved one is experiencing shoulder pain, contact our office today to learn how physical therapy can help relieve (or even eliminate) your problem!
How Does Shoulder Pain Occur?
Most people probably go about their day without giving much thought to how they are using their shoulders. Did you know that your shoulders actually do a good bit of work to help you accomplish everyday tasks? If you injure or strain them, there’s a large chance you will end up experiencing severe shoulder pain.
Five of the most common causes of shoulder pain include:
1. Tendon Tears
If you experience an acute injury or have a degenerative condition, the result can be a torn tendon in your shoulder. The natural aging process, overuse, and random injuries can often cause split or torn tendons as well. Regardless of whether a patient has experienced a partial or full tendon tear, the pain can be searing and require regular appointments with a physical therapist in our clinic.
2. Tendinitis
Tendinitis is a very common condition that often sends people straight to a physical therapist for pain relief. It causes inflammation and usually affects people who take part in many physical activities, or work at a job that requires them to use lots of repetitive motions every day.
Take this, for example, if you are an athlete who plays tennis or a professional painter, you could be at high risk for developing tendonitis in your shoulder. This is because you make the same repetitive motions every day to play your sport or do your job. Those who are at high risk for developing this condition should be aware of how important it is to not only visit a physical therapist regularly but to also rest their shoulders often to prevent chronic pain.
3. Bursitis
The shoulder is made up of a very complex network of moving parts. This makes it a pretty complicated joint! One of the main components that make up the shoulder is called the “bursa.” The bursa contains small fluid filled sacs that work to keep the joint lubricated. If the bursa becomes inflamed or irritated in any way, you could develop bursitis. This will call for a physical therapist’s touch, as soon as possible!
4. Frozen Shoulder
Adhesive capsulitis, also known as frozen shoulder, is a condition that occurs following an injury or alongside another shoulder condition. According to The National Institute of Health, frozen shoulder accounts for 2% of cases of shoulder pain. Most physical therapists recommend that patients with frozen shoulders rest often in between physical therapy appointments to avoid developing scar tissue in the shoulder.
On the chance that scar tissue does develop, the muscles surrounding the shoulder may eventually freeze up as well. This will limit your full range of motion and result in chronic pain.
5. Impingement
Shoulder impingement is a condition that occurs when the top part of the shoulder blade lifts away from the body and puts too much pressure on the underlying soft tissues in the arm. As the arm lifts, the shoulder blade rubs against the bursa and tendons. If this condition goes untreated, an impingement in the shoulder can result in bursitis and/or tendinitis.
Physical Therapy Can Provide Fast Relief for Shoulder Pain
If you have been experiencing recurrent or chronic shoulder pain, it is important to consult with a physical therapist as soon as possible. Physical therapy is a safe and natural treatment option that can successfully help patients of all ages recover from their shoulder injuries.
Your physical therapist will assess your condition, find the source of your pain, and create a specialized comprehensive treatment plan for your specific needs.
There’s no reason you need to spend tons of money on expensive surgeries or over the counter medications to gain relief from shoulder pain. Getting back on the pain-free path is simple. Call our offices today to learn more about the benefits of physical therapy for shoulder pain, and begin your journey toward living a pain-free life!