Shoulder injury is among the most common conditions our clients’ experience; it affects somewhere between 80 and 90 percent of all adults at some point in their life.
Most of the time, shoulder pain isn’t something that suddenly appears out of nowhere; its history and causes are typically well-known and may connect to irritated nerves, tight or overreactive muscles, or strength and control problems of the muscles in and around your shoulder joint.
There are numerous methods people use to try and get rid of shoulder discomfort.
Physiotherapy is one of the most common drug-free methods to treat shoulder discomfort, but not everybody is aware of how it works or what they need to do to begin physiotherapy treatment.In this article, we’ll describe more about what physiotherapy is and how you can begin getting relief from your shoulder discomfort with physiotherapy.
A Brief Introduction to Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is a profession that concentrates on the treatment and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal conditions, helping you re-establish movement in tissues or joints where you may be lacking it. Musculoskeletal conditions can be triggered by an acute episode like an ankle sprain or ligament tear, or can come on gradually, with associated muscle or connective tissue damage, inflammation, or both.
Physiotherapy works by educating you about your condition, treating your nervous system, strengthening and stretching muscles, and mobilizing joints to ease pain and enhance motion.
Once your nervous system and muscles figure out that they don’t need to protect against discomfort any longer, they can communicate better and move with less interference from the brain.
Physiotherapy can also help ease discomfort in your low back, neck, shoulders, and other conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system.
Other Common Conditions and Reasons Behind Shoulder Pain
- Sports Injury
- Muscle spasm
- Shoulder impingement
- Frozen shoulder or adhesive capsulitis
- Rotator cuff tear
- Tendon injury
- Bone spurs
- Rotator cuff tendonitis
- Stiff joint
- Shoulder fractures
- Bursitis pain
- Abnormal movement
- Arthritis bone on bone.
Is Physiotherapy An Effective Treatment For Shoulder Pain?
Physiotherapy uses a personalized treatment approach with a wide range of techniques such as manipulative therapy, therapeutic exercise, movement based exercises and coaching to deal with conditions like low back pain, neck discomfort, and shoulder discomfort.
The physical therapist will spend time with you one-on-one to assess your discomfort, mobility, and other signs and symptoms. They may then combine treatment options like manual therapy, dry needling or IMS, and other treatments to help relieve your pain and restore flexibility.
While there are no specific protocols on how to eliminate shoulder pain with physiotherapy, at Amped Physiotherapy, you’ll see an expert physiotherapist with proficiency in the treatment of conditions that impact the musculoskeletal system.
Physiotherapist Recommended Common Treatment Options For Shoulder Discomfort
Physiotherapy treatments for your shoulder discomfort will depend on the injury you’re experiencing and the seriousness of your symptoms. Treatments may include:
Manual therapy techniques – Manual treatments involve the physiotherapist manually mobilizing soft tissue like your muscles, tendons and ligaments, working at tight or sensitive spots, or moving stiff joints to aid in cartilage nutrition and to relieve excessive pressure or stress from tight muscles.
Strengthening exercises – Strengthening exercises focus on building specific muscles that may be affected by shoulder discomfort. Strength exercises can be designed to be performed with resistance bands, with weights like dumbbells or kettlebells, or with your own body weight. Strength exercises help to decrease pain and enhance strength in many of the cases of shoulder pain we see at Amped.
Stretching exercises – Stretching tight or short muscles is another way to target painful areas like your shoulder or the muscles that connect your shoulder to your neck.
Active Rest/Activity Management – Active Rest is a way to manage your condition that balances the importance of moving with protecting your sore and painful shoulder. Active Rest allows you to take part in daily activities while you’re experiencing shoulder discomfort by being mindful of the things that are potentially irritating for your shoulder.
When Should You Schedule a Physiotherapy Session?
Most people can start physiotherapy treatments as soon as they feel sore, without the need to see a physician; if you think you have a shoulder injury, call Amped Physiotherapy for a consultation, and our desk staff will help you book an appointment.
How Frequently Should You Have Physiotherapy?
The frequency of your physiotherapy sessions depends on the severity of your signs and symptoms, how long you’ve been experiencing them, and how efficient your physiotherapy treatments are. Your physiotherapist will collaborate with you to develop a treatment schedule that works best for your signs and symptoms and your schedule. You might have as many as 3 sessions weekly, or if you’ve been experiencing shoulder pain for a long period of time, you may have physiotherapy treatment once a week for six to eight weeks.
Conclusion
Physiotherapy consists of a highly individualized treatment plan that involves manual therapy, movement and exercise to deal with low back pain, neck discomfort, and shoulder pain.
At Amped Physiotherapy, treatment depends upon the intensity of your symptoms, how long you’ve been experiencing them, and how beneficial each approach works for you. You should always follow your physiotherapist’s advice and be good with your homework for the best and quickest recovery. Proudly serving the Ottawa and area communities for years. Call us and begin your recovery journey today!
