Shoulder pain is a pesky companion that can make day-to-day life, work, and even leisure activities difficult. However, there is good news! There are physical therapy treatments that provide relief from shoulder pain and help you to get back to the things you love. Let’s take a look at what physical therapy can do for shoulder pain and how to get started.
Types of Physical Therapy for Shoulder Pain
Physical therapists are experts in helping people with shoulder pain feel better. They understand the delicate balance between mobility and stability, which means they know exactly how to target each joint in your body to bring it back into alignment. Depending on your individual needs, physical therapists might recommend any of the following treatments:
Manual Therapy Techniques— Manual therapy techniques involve hands-on manipulation of soft tissue and joints to reduce inflammation, relieve tension and pressure from nerves, and improve mobility. This could involve massage or stretching exercises designed specifically for your shoulder pain. Your therapist may also use joint mobilization or manual traction methods to help reduce any swelling or irritation in the affected areas.
Exercise Programs— Exercise programs are a great way to strengthen muscles affected by shoulder pain while at the same time improving range of motion and flexibility. Your physical therapist can design an exercise program tailored specifically for your needs that will help relieve pain while improving strength, range of motion, and flexibility. Some common exercises used in physical therapy include stretches, weight lifting exercises, resistance band exercises, and core strengthening exercises such as planks or wall sits.
Therapeutic Modalities— Therapeutic modalities are treatments used by physical therapists to reduce inflammation caused by shoulder pain as well as stimulate healing processes in damaged tissues. Common therapeutic modalities include heat/cold therapies (such as ice packs), electrical stimulation (such as TENS units), ultrasound treatment (which uses sound waves to penetrate deep into tissues), and iontophoresis (which introduces medications directly into the skin). These modalities work together with manual therapies and exercise programs to provide comprehensive relief from shoulder pain.
Conclusion:
Ultimately, physical therapy is a great way to reduce shoulder pain quickly while also addressing underlying causes such as muscle imbalances or postural issues that may be contributing factors in your condition. If you’re dealing with persistent shoulder discomfort due to an injury or chronic condition like arthritis, talk with your doctor about seeing a physical therapist who can create a customized treatment plan just for you! With the right combination of manual therapies, exercise programs, and therapeutic modalities, you can find lasting relief from your shoulder pain so you can get back living life fully again!