Shoulder pain is one of the most common pain people experience…and it’s undoubtedly one of the most-treated types of pain we see here at Physical Therapy NOW in Irving. People suffer from shoulder pain for many reasons: an injury, discomfort from overuse, arthritis, and other chronic conditions. Fortunately, shoulder pain is quite treatable through physical therapy.

How Is Shoulder Pain Treated with Physical Therapy?

When you visit us at Physical Therapy NOW in Irving, we’ll discuss your pain and perform a thorough evaluation to determine the source of the pain and how we can help. We’ll have you go through some range-of-motion, mobility, strength, and coordination tests during your initial evaluation. Based on those results and your medical history, we’ll formulate a treatment plan tailored to meet your needs.

In many cases, gentle manual therapy will be part of your treatment. It helps promote circulation, restore joint movement, and break up soft tissue for easier movement. Exercise therapy pairs well with manual therapy and can help your shoulder regain strength. Once your course of PT is complete, you may continue to use specific exercises and techniques to improve strength and help prevent future shoulder issues.

What Types of Shoulder Injuries Benefit from Physical Therapy?

Most, if not all, shoulder injuries are treatable with physical therapy. Some of the more common injuries we see at Physical Therapy NOW in Irving include:

• Tendonitis: This condition involves inflammation of the rotator cuff or biceps tendon, which often occurs in work, physical activity, or sports where your arm is raised over your head repeatedly–baseball, volleyball, racket sports, weightlifting, and others. Physical therapy can be beneficial with shoulder tendonitis as it can relieve pain, increase range of motion, and strengthen the shoulder area so you can get back to your daily routine without pain or limitation.
• Bursitis: The bursa is located in the shoulder joint, which holds tiny sacs of fluid that help keep your shoulder loose and lubricated. When the bursa becomes inflamed, bursitis is often the result.
• Impingement: A shoulder impingement can happen when the top part of the shoulder blade puts excessive pressure on the underlying soft tissues in the arm as it lifts away from the body. When the arm lifts, the shoulder blade can rub against the tendons and bursa, which can cause bursitis or tendonitis if untreated.
• Rotator cuff inflammation/tear: The rotator cuff is composed of muscles and tendons that connect the shoulder to the socket, which allows the shoulder to move in a circular motion. You use it hundreds of times per day without even realizing it. Sometimes rotator cuffs can become inflamed–surgery isn’t necessary for that. However, a torn rotator cuff is usually the result of an injury and often requires surgical repair.

When Should Physical Therapy Start After a Shoulder Injury?

That all depends on a few things–the severity of the injury, how much pain you’re experiencing, whether there’s any structural damage to the shoulder and other factors. It is also essential to look into your insurance coverage… before coming in for PT, some insurances require you to see a medical doctor first.

You don’t want to begin physical therapy if you’re already in too much pain, nor do you want to risk further structural damage to the shoulder by starting PT prematurely. Once you’ve received clearance, we can look at your circumstances to see if you’re ready to get started.

How Long Will Shoulder Physical Therapy Last?

Again, it depends on the injury. For mild inflammation or discomfort, you might be looking at a couple of weeks of physical therapy. A more severe injury (perhaps a torn rotator cuff or a severely separated shoulder, for example) might require months of PT to get you back to normal.

Along with the injury severity, the way your body responds to the therapy will go a long way in determining how long of a rehabilitation period you’re facing. Some people take to the PT immediately and notice fast improvement; others need more time to respond to the therapy, which will prolong the rehab period. Regardless of how long it takes, know that your rehab team at Physical Therapy NOW will be there with you every step of the way.  And know this: our goal is to get you feeling fantastic and back to normal as quickly as possible.

Shoulder Pain Physical Therapy in Irving, TX

Don’t spend another day dealing with shoulder pain. Call Physical Therapy NOW today at (214) 225-0291 to set up your initial consultation. It’s the first step toward getting back to a pain-free, comfortable life once again.