The shoulder is a complex joint with the most extensive range of motion compared to other body parts, and this explains why it is more prone to injury compared to many other body joints. If you feel severe shoulder pain, that can easily restrict your ability to carry out your regular activities. Shoulder pain may result from injuries, repetitive strains, abuse or misuse, and degenerative medical conditions.
Regardless of the cause of your shoulder pain, physiotherapy offers relief and ensures you can return to your quality of life pre-injury. This article will explore several physiotherapy techniques that can help with shoulder pain and injury at Dynamic Physiotherapy.
What Shoulder Conditions Can Physiotherapy Treat?
Common types of shoulder conditions that physiotherapy can treat include:
- Rotator cuff injuries: The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons holding the shoulder joint in place and ensuring you have a wide range of motion. However, your rotator cuff may be a source of shoulder pain if it becomes damaged or irritated. Inflammation of the rotator cuff’s tendons (tendinitis) can cause severe shoulder pain. Partial or complete rotator cuff tears can also occur, causing shoulder pain. Rotator cuff injuries can occur due to overuse, direct blow to the shoulder from traumatic events, etc.
- Arthritis is a degenerative condition that causes joint inflammation, leading to pain and stiffness. Different types of arthritis can affect any joint, including the shoulder joint. The most common type of arthritis that causes shoulder pain is osteoarthritis. This type of arthritis is commonly caused by age, previous injury, etc.
- Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis): The shoulder joint is surrounded by a capsule (fluid-filled sac) that lubricates the joint. However, this capsule may become thicker and tighter due to inflammation, causing shoulder joint stiffness and pain.
- Dislocation: A dislocation is the separation of two bones at the joint where they meet. It is very painful and can limit mobility and physical function. Since the shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint, it is susceptible to dislocations with severe pain and discomfort. It may render your arms useless, making it almost impossible to perform activities of daily living.
- Fracture: A shoulder fracture occurs when a bone making up the shoulder joint breaks. Shoulder fractures may occur due to traumatic events such as motor accidents, sports accidents, etc. While they are fairly uncommon, shoulder fractures can cause severe pain and discomfort when they happen.
- Bursitis: The bursae are small fluid-filled sacs cushioning the bones, tendons, and muscles near the joints. Despite their protective features, the bursae are susceptible to damage through inflammation. The bursae may become inflamed due to injury or overuse of the shoulder joint, causing severe pain, tenderness, and swelling.
The Role of Physiotherapy in Treating Shoulder Pain and Injury
Okotoks physiotherapy is a non-invasive treatment that aims to relieve pain and restore physical function to damaged body parts. However, how does physiotherapy treat shoulder pain and injury? The following are techniques that physiotherapists in Okotoks, AB, use to treat and manage shoulder pain and injury:
Initial Evaluation
The first step a physiotherapist in Okotoks takes toward treating shoulder pain and injury is to assess the patient’s condition and determine the root of the problem. The physiotherapist may review the patient’s medical history for similar conditions in the past. They may also order physical exams, such as X-rays and MRI scans, for a comprehensive diagnosis.
Personalized Treatment Plan
Your physiotherapist will create a unique yet comprehensive treatment plan that matches your injury, needs, and treatment goals. During physiotherapy for shoulder pain in Okotoks, the physiotherapist will employ various physiotherapy techniques to relieve pain, strengthen your muscles, improve flexibility, and restore mobility and balance. Some of the physiotherapy techniques that may be included in your treatment plan include:
Pain Management Techniques
Shoulder pain causes severe discomfort that makes it difficult for you to perform even basic activities of daily living. However, physiotherapists use several techniques to relieve and manage pain. Some of these include:
- Manual Therapy: This is a physical treatment method physiotherapists use to relieve musculoskeletal pain and improve the mobility and function of the joints, soft tissues, and nerves. Some effective manual therapy techniques include massage therapy, joint manipulation, myofascial release, dry needling, soft tissue mobilization, trigger point release, etc.
Other pain management modalities that physiotherapists can use to relieve and manage shoulder pain include heat and cold therapy, ultrasound therapy, laser therapy, electrical stimulation, etc.
Therapeutic Exercises
These physical activities and movements are designed to improve strength, mobility, function, and flexibility. Therapeutic exercises can also relieve pain and repair impairments. The following are exercises that physiotherapists may recommend for shoulder pain and injury:
- Range of motion exercises: Shoulder pain and injury reduce the directions and extent to which your arm can move. However, range of motion exercises can improve flexibility and normal movement patterns. Some common range of motion exercises include pendulum exercises and shoulder rolls.
- Strengthening exercises: These refer to exercises that strengthen the muscles around the shoulder to prevent future injury. Examples of strengthening exercises include isometric exercises, resistance bands, and weight training.
- Functional exercises: These exercises imitate movements and activities of daily living, ensuring that you can participate in your favorite activities again.
Education and Self-management Strategies
In addition to their passive therapy techniques, physiotherapists educate their patients on their conditions and how to avoid future injuries.
- Proper techniques: Physiotherapists may teach their patients the proper techniques for carrying out various physical activities that may pose a risk of re-injury.
- Ergonomic adjustments: Physiotherapists may modify or adjust their patients’ work or home environment to ensure the safety of their shoulders.
Benefits of Physiotherapy for Shoulder Pain and Injury
The following are the benefits of undergoing physiotherapy at Okotoks for shoulder pain and injury:
- Relief from pain and inflammation
- Improved flexibility and range of motion
- Improved muscle strength around the shoulder
- Faster healing and recovery from shoulder injuries
- Prevention of future injuries
- Improvement of overall quality of life.
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Conclusion
Shoulder pain and injuries are fairly common because of the shoulder’s active participation in activities of daily living. The shoulder joint allows you the most extensive range of motion, making it an essential body part in the execution of activities of daily living. Therefore, shoulder pain and injuries may prevent you from participating in regular and favorite activities. However, you do not have to suffer this fate for long because physiotherapy effectively solves this musculoskeletal problem. If you suffer from shoulder pain and injury, you should consider physiotherapy at Dynamic Physiotherapy.
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