Shoulder Pain
Overview
Shoulder pain is more likely to develop as you age. You may notice a gradual worsening of pain with every - day activities such as reaching over head, lifting household objects, or reaching behind your back. Common diagnoses include damage to the rotator cuff muscle group, bursitis, and overuse injuries such as impingement/tendonitis, and osteoarthritis.
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Common Symptoms of Shoulder Pain
Some common symptoms you will experience with shoulder pain may include the following:
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Dull achy pain surrounding the shoulder joint
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Referred pain to the neck
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Sharp pain surrounding the shoulder blade
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Decreased Range of motion in shoulder and neck
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Muscle tightness
How can physical therapy help?
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A physical therapist will perform an initial evaluation which includes movement analysis, strength testing, and range of motion measurements to reveal the cause of your symptoms and determine a diagnosis. The evaluation process also helps to identify your limitations and gives the therapist insight on the best possible treatment approach. A plan of care will then be tailored to your individual needs that will include manual release of muscular tension, therapeutic exercise, stretching, as well as patient education on a home-based program for optimal outcomes. Physical therapy treatment is focused on injury prevention and promoting pain-free movement for a better quality of life. A physical therapist can also refer out to other specialties if further consultation is necessary