Shoulder pain is one of the three main musculoskeletal complaints with more than half of the sufferers having long-lasting symptoms.
Shoulder pain affects from 18% to 25% of adults. The shoulder joints have more range of motion than any other joints, so it’s of no surprise that shoulder pain affects so many adults. The shoulder joint is made up of the humerus (upper arm), clavicle (collarbone) and the shoulder blade (scapula.) Held together by muscle tissue, tendons, and ligaments these joints are what allow us to do everyday tasks like lifting objects, driving, washing, cleaning, and eating.
With the shoulder being one of the most-used parts of the body it’s at high injury risk. For this reason, it’s important to both understand how to protect the shoulders as well as how to properly treat shoulder pain and injuries id and when they do occur.
Therapy for shoulder pain in primary care usually takes the form of physiotherapy.
This type of treatment can be custom-designed to help recover from shoulder pain and regain mobility, without resorting to surgical procedures. A physiotherapist may use a range of techniques to improve the function of your shoulder joint. These techniques may include ice therapy – using ice reduces inflammation and swelling which reduces pain and helps recovery. Heat therapy also helps reduce pain and helps muscles to relax. A physiotherapist may also employ a “hands-on” approach using massage techniques to apply pressure on specific tissues to help regain mobility and function.
Stretching is another type of therapy useful for shoulder pain. Gently pushing your muscles until they regain their usual range of motion is useful in regaining shoulder function. Muscular and joint pain may be a result of working long hours with bad posture. A physiotherapist may suggest different posture styles or a regular exercise program to help stretch and strengthen muscles. A physical therapist, with this in mind, will likely incorporate varying levels of stretches targeting parts of the shoulder joint and the neck and spine. A physiotherapist will offer advice on how to alter your everyday activities to better support your shoulders, so you can avoid any further shoulder pain. A unique home-exercise routine will help maintain mobility once your therapy sessions are complete.
In most cases, physical therapy can prevent the need for surgery. Studies show the majority of patients find physical therapy for shoulder injuries to be more beneficial than surgical alternatives. The length of recovery following physical therapy can vary from individual and the injury sustained.
Physical therapy is a great way to strengthen your shoulder joints and reduce the risk of further pain and suffering.
For more information on physical therapy for the recovery of shoulder joint pain and injury be sure to check with your local clinics and find the practice that best suits your needs and requirements for the treatment of shoulder pain.
