Discover Shoulder Impingement Therapy For A Comprehensive Recovery
Do you ever feel a nagging pain in your shoulder when you reach overhead or lift something heavy? Does it sometimes feel like a pinch or a catch? If this sounds familiar, you might be dealing with shoulder impingement. It’s a common condition that can cause significant discomfort. Our skilled physical therapists are experts in shoulder impingement therapy and can craft personalized plans to help you recover.
Keep reading to learn more!
Understand The Injury For Successful Shoulder Impingement Therapy
Shoulder impingement, also known as impingement syndrome, occurs when the tendons of your rotator cuff (a group of muscles and tendons that stabilize your shoulder) become compressed or irritated as they pass through a narrow space beneath the acromion (a bony prominence at the top of your shoulder blade). This can lead to inflammation, pain, and limited range of motion – all of which can be treated with shoulder impingement therapy at our clinic.
Common Causes of Shoulder Impingement
Repetitive Overhead Activities
- Jobs or sports that require frequent reaching or lifting overhead (like painting, swimming, or tennis) can stress the rotator cuff tendons.
Poor Posture
- Slouching or rounding your shoulders can narrow the space where the tendons pass through, increasing the risk of impingement.
Weak Shoulder Muscles
- When the muscles surrounding the shoulder are weak, they can’t adequately support the joint, leading to increased stress on the tendons.
Symptoms of Shoulder Impingement
Symptoms of shoulder impingement can vary in severity, but common signs include:
- Pain in the front or side of your shoulder, especially when reaching overhead or lifting your arm.
- A feeling of weakness or instability in your shoulder.
- Pain that worsens at night or when lying on the affected side.
- A grinding or clicking sensation in your shoulder.
Personalized Shoulder Impingement Therapy
A woman in her 50s walked into our clinic with persistent, aching pain in her right shoulder that flared up whenever she swung her golf clubs. After a comprehensive evaluation, including a physical examination and review of her medical history, we determined she had shoulder impingement. Years of repetitive overhead motion from her golf swing combined with some underlying muscle weakness had led to inflammation and irritation of the tendons in her rotator cuff.
We designed a personalized treatment plan for her that focused on a combination of targeted PT methods. In our manual therapy sessions, we used gentle hands-on techniques to mobilize her shoulder joint, improve soft tissue mobility, and reduce inflammation. We also prescribed a series of targeted exercises designed to strengthen the muscles of her rotator cuff and improve shoulder stability.
We also educated her on postural awareness and body mechanics during her golf swing. She was able to reduce the stress on her shoulder joint and prevent further irritation by making subtle adjustments to her stance and swing.
With consistent shoulder impingement therapy and diligent adherence to her home exercise program, she regained full function of her shoulder. She was able to return to the golf course, swing her clubs without pain, and rediscover her love for the game.
Shoulder Impingement Treatment At Elliott Physical Therapy
Physical therapy for shoulder impingement is a highly effective option that focuses on addressing the underlying causes and promoting healing.
Manual Therapy
- Hands-on techniques like soft tissue and joint mobilization to reduce pain, improve flexibility, and restore normal movement.
Therapeutic Exercises
- Targeted exercises to strengthen the rotator cuff muscles and improve shoulder stability.
Postural Education
- Guidance on maintaining balanced movements to reduce stress on the shoulder joint.
Activity Modification
- Strategies for modifying daily activities or work tasks to avoid further irritation of the shoulder.
Contact us today for personalized treatment and say goodbye to your shoulder pain!
