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Jun 08
2019

If your shoulder pain is not caused by a direct injury, it may have another underlying cause. If you are experiencing shoulder pain, especially if you are over the age of 40, it might be due to one of two common causes. These are rotator cuff tendonitis and/or shoulder impingement syndrome.

Rotator cuff tendonitis happens when a tendon or tendons surrounding the shoulder joint become inflamed. As this irritation continues, the tendon may break down. This can lead to chronic pain. Shoulder impingement syndrome occurs when tendons or bursa are “pinched” by the surrounding bones of the shoulder. The symptoms of the two conditions are similar.

The good news is that you may not need surgery. Both of these conditions show marked improvement with physical therapy. Physical therapy can help to resolve your symptoms. A physical therapist can:

-Help identify risk factors

-Help you correct behaviors or movements that might be leading to the condition

-Work with you to decrease your pain

-Help your shoulder regain range of motion

-Help you to improve shoulder strength

[Related article: 3 Stretches To Relieve Shoulder Pain]

People at risk for this condition include those whose jobs or tasks require repetitive arm movements or overhead movements, such as hair stylists, house painters, swimmers, and baseball pitchers.

If you feel any of the following, you may benefit from a consultation with one of our physical therapists:

-Shoulder pain that is either gradual or sudden in onset

-Shoulder pain that radiates to the upper arm

-Dull ache

-Pain when reaching overhead

-Pain if sleeping on the affected shoulder

If you are suffering from these conditions, a physical therapist can easily diagnose it through an evaluation. He or she will then develop a treatment plan specific to your condition and may include:

-Manual therapy

-Strengthening and range of motion exercises

-Education and proper shoulder mechanics

-Ways to manage the pain

[Related article: Physical Therapy For Rotator Cuff Tendonitis]

To learn more about the underlying cause of your shoulder pain, contact a physical therapist at Above & Beyond Physical Therapy in Queen Creek or Phoenix. A physical therapist is an important member of your healthcare team who can help you find relief from common causes of shoulder pain including rotator cuff tendonitis and shoulder impingement syndrome.

Contact us today.