Physical Therapy for Shoulder Pain in Austin, TX

Your shoulder has several joints in it that are combined with tendons and muscles that allow your arm to move through a wide range of motion. This combination of strength and flexibility makes it possible to scratch your back, throw a ball, and lift a child over your head. But this range of abilities requires many moving parts, which sets up the risk for various potential shoulder pain issues as you go about your daily activities in Austin, TX. 

Causes of Shoulder Pain in Austin, TX

Most shoulder problems fall into these four categories:

1. Fractures – usually from an accident, fall, or blow to the shoulder
2. Arthritis – the risk increases with age, often with a previously injured shoulder
3. Instability – often caused by an accident initially but can become an ongoing issue
4. Tendon tears or inflammation – bursitis or tendinitis get worse with age, often complicated by a previous shoulder injury

Less common causes include nerve problems, tumors, or infections.

Shoulder injuries are often caused by sports and work activities involving repetitive overhead motions, like swimming, pitching, tennis, and construction work. Injuries are also common with household activities like washing walls, gardening, or hanging curtains.

What to Expect with Physical Therapy

First, your physical therapist conducts a thorough evaluation to determine the underlying causes of your shoulder pain and develops a treatment plan for shoulder pain relief.

Medical History

Your physical therapists at FYZICAL Therapy and Balance Centers - Brodie Lane ask how and when your shoulder pain started, if this is the first time you’ve had the pain, and if you had it before, how it was treated. They will ask other questions to understand your general health, lifestyle, and possible causes of your shoulder problem. Most shoulder pain is aggravated by certain types of activities, so your medical history and lifestyle information are valuable tools to uncover the source of your pain.

Physical Exam

A comprehensive examination uncovers the causes of your pain to find ways to relieve your shoulder pain. Your physical therapist at FYZICAL Therapy and Balance Centers - Brodie Lane looks for abnormalities, swelling, muscle weakness, tightness, and tender areas and checks your strength and range of motion.

Treatment Plan

Your physical therapist will develop a treatment plan based on your medical history and physical exam. Most shoulder pain recovery plans include a combination of various therapies designed to speed healing and support complete recovery.

Reassessments 

Your pain reduces or is eliminated as you attend your physical therapy appointments in Austin. The focus of your treatment plan becomes to ensure you do not reinjure your shoulder in the future. An injured shoulder is more likely to be injured again, so your physical therapist will make a plan to reduce the risk of shoulder pain in the future. 

Contact us at FYZICAL Therapy and Balance Centers - Brodie Lane to help relieve your shoulder pain. 

FAQs for Shoulder Pain in Austin

What do physical therapists do for shoulder pain?

Physical therapy for shoulder pain includes joint mobilization and stabilization, strengthening and stretching. Your physical therapist may use manual hands-on therapy, heat, ice, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, or athletic taping to support your recovery from shoulder pain.

What is the best exercise for shoulder pain?

There are many physical therapy exercises for shoulder pain. By stretching your arm across your chest, you can increase the range of motion and flexibility in your shoulder joint and muscles in the surrounding areas. Bring your arm lower if you feel shoulder pain during this exercise. 

Can therapy help with shoulder pain?

Yes, physical therapy is very effective in treating shoulder pain from injuries and various conditions like rotator cuff injuries, impingements, and shoulder arthritis. Physical therapy helps delay or even eliminate shoulder surgery for many patients. 

When should I start shoulder rehab?

Whenever you have shoulder pain, start with an assessment by your physical therapist. Perhaps you’ll begin the shoulder rehab treatment plan with a recommendation for rest, usually between two and four weeks.