Shoulder Pain Relief Is Nearer Than You Think at PEAK Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation in Williamsburg, VA!
Most people are unaware of how much they use their shoulders throughout the day until they become injured. From simple tasks like getting dressed or preparing a meal to more strenuous activities like lifting and participating in sports, the health of our shoulders is critical to our ability to function normally. If you’re in need of shoulder pain relief, we can help.
If your shoulders irritate you, you’ll notice when you try to reach for something or scratch your back. It’s not always easy to find relief from shoulder pain on your own, so if you’re experiencing shoulder pain, it’s a good idea to seek assistance from our physical therapy team!
Whatever is making you uncomfortable, we can help!
PEAK Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation in Williamsburg, VA is committed to providing you with shoulder pain treatments that are effective and long-lasting. Most shoulder disorders respond to physical therapy, allowing you to avoid strong medications, surgical procedures, and other invasive treatments!
Why am I experiencing shoulder pain?
Shoulder pain can range from minor aches and pains to extreme discomfort and disability. Injuries to the muscles surrounding the shoulder (i.e., the rotator cuff) or the joint itself can make it difficult to lift your arm or sleep on it.
Shoulder pain can be caused by a variety of factors. You could have been in a car accident, strained a muscle, or suffer from arthritis. Whatever the source of your discomfort, our team can assist you!
Here are some of the most common causes of shoulder pain that you can treat in Williamsburg, VA:
Rotator cuff injuries
The rotator cuff is a group of four upper arm muscles that dynamically stabilize the shoulder and play an important role in shoulder and arm movements.
Rotator cuff injury symptoms include shoulder pain, arm weakness, difficulty reaching behind the back, and sleeping difficulties.
Although some mild rotator cuff injuries can heal on their own, physical therapy can help ensure that your condition is fully resolved and that future problems are avoided without the need for surgery. If surgery is required, however, physical therapy will be an essential part of the recovery process!
Impingement
Shoulder impingement is a condition in which a rotator cuff tendon or tendons become pinched as they pass between the top of the upper arm (humerus) and the tip of the shoulder blade (acromion).
Impingement symptoms include pain, weakness, catching, and an inability to fully move the shoulder joint, particularly when raising your arms overhead or to the side. Sleep is frequently disrupted due to difficulty lying on the painful side.
This condition is usually caused by a combination of factors such as poor posture and muscle weakness, degenerative changes, and osteoarthritis. Fortunately, our Williamsburg, VA physical therapy clinic can assist you with any of these issues!
Tendonopathy
Tendonopathy is any problem involving a tendon, such as a disease, injury, or disorder.
Tendinitis is an inflammation of the shoulder tendons, which includes the rotator cuff and biceps tendons. Acute injuries, such as minor or partial tearing, can cause the inflammatory response seen in tendonitis.
Tendinosis is a term that describes a dysfunctional tendon but does not usually specify the pathological process. This condition is linked to overuse injuries and degenerative changes that cause micro-tearing and pain. These tendon injuries are not caused by inflammation, and anti-inflammatory medications may cause them to heal more slowly!
When tendons are injured or inflamed, any movement can cause pain or make you feel weak, mainly by raising your arm to the side or overhead.
Arthritis
The two most common types of shoulder arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Both cause cartilage deterioration in the shoulder joint. The worse the degeneration, the more difficult daily tasks become.
Osteoarthritis affects both active and inactive people. Although the majority of cases of osteoarthritis have no known cause, arthritis frequently develops following a traumatic event and/or repetitive stresses following an injury. There is also evidence that a genetic component increases your risk of developing this condition. Regardless of how it begins, it usually results in articular cartilage loss, pain, and inflammation.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the membranes that surround the shoulder joint. Inflammation and discomfort are both symptoms of this condition.
Instability and labral tears
In shoulder instability, the ball of the shoulder joint (humeral head) moves completely or partially out of the socket (shoulder blade). The most common causes of shoulder instability are when the capsule (the lining of the shoulder joint), ligaments, or labrum become stretched, torn, or detached.
A labral tear occurs when the cartilage ring in the shoulder joint is injured. Some labral tears increase the risk of partial and complete shoulder dislocation.
The following are some symptoms of a labral tear:
• Pain and/or catching with specific shoulder joint movements
• Typically a dull throbbing ache
• Difficulty sleeping
• Partial or full dislocations of the shoulder joint
Frozen shoulder
Frozen shoulder (also known as adhesive capsulitis) causes stiffness, loss of range of motion, and pain in the shoulder joint. Symptoms usually appear gradually and worsen over time. Most symptoms go away on their own after one to three years.
If you have pain, loss of motion, and a constant feeling of tightness in your shoulder joint, you may have frozen shoulder and need a physical therapist to help you recover!
Our Patients Get Great Results!
Physical therapy for shoulder pain in Williamsburg, VA
Physical therapy is a non-invasive, safe, and highly effective treatment for shoulder pain. The physical therapists at PEAK Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation have succeeded in treating various shoulder problems, providing significant relief in just a few sessions!
Our physical therapist will evaluate several aspects of the overall health of your shoulder. Some examples are:
- Range of motion
- Strength
- Joint motion mechanics and overall upper extremity function
- Coordination
Once the source of your shoulder pain is determined, our physical therapist can begin working to alleviate your pain, weakness, and dysfunction. Our team will create a personalized treatment plan to help you manage and, in some cases, eliminate your pain.
Our physical therapists will use targeted manual therapy to relieve soft tissue restrictions, increase circulation, and restore range of motion to your shoulders.
Strengthening exercises will almost always be part of your treatment plan and home exercise program to help prevent future shoulder problems! Physical therapy at PEAK Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation in Williamsburg, VA can help you get rid of your shoulder pain for good!
Are you in need of shoulder pain relief? Request an appointment with our Williamsburg, VA clinic today!
If you’re suffering from shoulder pain, we can help you get back to doing the things you love without pain!
Request an appointment with PEAK Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation in Williamsburg, VA today to get started on your path to complete shoulder pain relief!
Your Next Steps…
Request An Appointment
Receive A Custom Treatment Plan
Work Hard and Progress In Your Recovery
Recover & Enjoy Life Pain-Free!