Shoulder Pain Specialist

What are the causes of shoulder pain?

Shoulder pain occurs when you injure the structures in the joint or they deteriorate over time. The main parts of your shoulder are the:

• Humeral head (ball at the top of your arm bone)
• Glenoid (socket for the humeral head)
• Scapula (shoulder blade)
• Clavicle (collarbone)
• Acromioclavicular (AC) joint
• Labrum (cartilage inside the glenoid)
• Rotator cuff (muscles and tendons)

Shoulder pain may be acute, occurring because of a fall, sports injury, car accident, or work mishap. Using the wrong lifting techniques can tear muscles and connective tissues in the shoulder and cause acute pain too.

Overuse or repetitive strain may lead to tendinitis and bursitis, often causing chronic shoulder pain. Arthritis and the effects of aging are also common causes of chronic shoulder pain.

How does physical therapy help with shoulder pain?

The Riverwalk Physical Therapy team offers a comprehensive range of treatments for shoulder pain. Depending on why you have shoulder pain and how badly it’s affecting the joint, your personalized treatment program could include:

• Ice and heat therapy
• Manual therapy
• Therapeutic massage
• Joint mobilization
• Therapeutic ultrasound
• Electrical stimulation
• Stretching and strengthening exercises
• Kinesio® taping
• Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT)
• Graston Technique® therapy

The team at Riverwalk Physical Therapy uses the McKenzie Method® to evaluate your shoulder pain and prepare a suitable treatment program.

When should I have physical therapy for shoulder pain?

Physical therapy is an essential form of treatment for most causes of shoulder pain. Conditions that the Riverwalk Physical Therapy team sees frequently include:

Rotator cuff injuries

Stretching your shoulder too far can cause the muscles and soft tissues in your rotator cuff to tear. You could also develop a condition called subacromial impingement syndrome if a rotator cuff tendon becomes trapped in the joint.

Dislocations

Dislocating a shoulder partially or completely can weaken the joint, especially if it happens more than once. Rotator cuff tears often occur at the same time as dislocations, adding to your pain. 

With dislocations, you could develop shoulder instability over the long term and arthritic conditions like cuff tear arthropathy.

Labral tears

The labrum is a type of cartilage that lines your glenoid. It keeps the humeral head securely in its socket. Labral tears reduce the security of the humeral head, making you more likely to experience shoulder instability.

Frozen shoulder

Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) might develop if you’ve had to wear a sling or cast to keep your shoulder immobilized. Lack of movement means the joint seizes up, becoming difficult and painful to move.

To resolve these problems and relieve shoulder pain, call Riverwalk Physical Therapy today or use the online booking form to schedule a consultation.