Shoulder pain can make daily tasks—like lifting, reaching, or even sleeping—uncomfortable. Orthopedic conditions like rotator cuff injuries, tendinopathy, arthritis, AC joint issues, frozen shoulder, and labral tears are common causes of shoulder discomfort. The good news is that all of these are treatable! Here’s a closer look at each condition and how physical therapy at Bodyworks can help you get back to what you love.
Rotator Cuff Injuries
The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder and allow for smooth arm movements. Injury to these tendons—often from repetitive motions or sudden, heavy lifting—can result in pain, weakness, and limited range of motion. Rotator cuff issues can range from mild strains to full tears.
How We Treat Rotator Cuff Injuries
- Targeted Strengthening: Gradual strengthening of the rotator cuff and surrounding muscles helps improve the shoulder’s ability to handle daily demands, decreasing pain and increasing function.
- Scapular (Shoulder Blade) Stability Exercises: Strengthening the muscles that support shoulder blade movement helps reduce strain on the rotator cuff and improve control.
- Functional Movement Retraining: We’ll help you adapt movement patterns to avoid pain and prevent further aggravation.
Shoulder Tendinopathy
Tendinopathy in the shoulder develops when tendons, often from the rotator cuff, are repeatedly stressed and unable to fully recover. Tendinopathy is common in individuals with repetitive or high-force shoulder demands, such as athletes, manual laborers, or those with new or increased activity demands.
How We Treat Shoulder Tendinopathy
- Progressive Resistance Training: Eccentric (lengthening) and progressive load exercises strengthen and improve tendon resilience, allowing your shoulder to tolerate greater loads.
- Movement Pattern Optimization: Improving shoulder and shoulder blade movement reduces strain on the tendon, helping to alleviate pain.
- Load Management: We guide you in adjusting activity levels and gradually increasing the shoulder’s capacity to handle more load safely.
Shoulder Arthritis
Shoulder arthritis occurs when the protective cartilage in the shoulder joint begins to thin, which can lead to joint stiffness, discomfort, and limited movement. This condition is often associated with natural changes that happen over time or with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. Symptoms can include aching, reduced range of motion, and a “grinding” sensation during certain movements.
How We Treat Shoulder Arthritis
- Joint Mobility Exercises: Gentle exercises help maintain joint movement, improving flexibility and reducing stiffness.
- Strengthening Surrounding Muscles: Strengthening exercises for muscles around the shoulder can provide better support for the joint, reducing stress on the arthritic area.
- Joint Protection Techniques: We teach methods to reduce strain during daily activities, allowing you to stay active with less pain.
AC Joint Pain (Acromioclavicular Joint)
The AC joint, where the collarbone meets the shoulder blade, is often subject to pain from repetitive or high-force activities like lifting weights, overhead sports, or trauma from falls. Pain is often localized to the top of the shoulder and can make reaching across the body or lifting objects uncomfortable.
How We Treat AC Joint Pain
- Strengthening Targeted Muscles: Exercises focus on surrounding muscles to help offload the AC joint, relieving stress.
- Manual Therapy: Our hands-on techniques can help decrease discomfort and inflammation in the AC joint.
- Activity Modification and Ergonomics: We guide you on adjusting daily activities to avoid further irritation of the AC joint and prevent reinjury.
Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, occurs when the shoulder capsule thickens and tightens, leading to pain and progressive stiffness. It typically progresses through three stages—freezing, frozen, and thawing—and can severely limit movement over several months.
How We Treat Frozen Shoulder
- Range of Motion Exercises: Gentle stretching exercises help increase flexibility, especially during the “thawing” stage, to regain shoulder movement.
- Functional Movement Training: We’ll guide you through practical exercises to restore daily activities as movement improves.
- Pacing Techniques: Learning to balance rest and movement can help minimize pain and optimize recovery through each stage of frozen shoulder.
Labral Tears
The labrum is a ring of cartilage around the shoulder socket that provides stability to the joint. Labral tears are often caused by trauma (such as falls or sports injuries) or repetitive overhead movements, leading to pain, catching, or a sensation of instability in the shoulder.
How We Treat Labral Tears
- Stabilization Exercises: We guide you through strengthening exercises that build support around the joint to compensate for labral instability.
- Core and Shoulder Blade Training: Strengthening the core and shoulder blade muscles improves shoulder control and stability.
- Activity Modification: Adjustments in movement patterns and activity levels allow you to safely return to sport or daily activities without further aggravation.
Find Lasting Shoulder Pain Relief at Bodyworks Physical Therapy
If shoulder pain has been limiting your daily activities or keeping you from doing the things you love, there’s hope. At Bodyworks Physical Therapy, we offer comprehensive treatments tailored to address specific shoulder conditions, helping you regain mobility, reduce pain, and strengthen your shoulder for long-term health.
Don’t let shoulder pain hold you back any longer. Request an appointment with us today and start your journey toward a pain-free, active lifestyle.
With Bodyworks Physical Therapy, Relief is Right Here!