Shoulder pain is a widespread ailment that affects about 18% to 26% of adults, but that doesn’t mean it’s very convenient to live with it. The shoulder pain and injuries are always very uncomfortable for any person. 

The shoulder consists of three main parts such as:

  • Humerus ( the upper-arm bone)
  • Clavicle (the collarbone)
  • Scapula (the shoulder blade)

These bones are being held together by the muscles, ligaments, and tendons present in the body, and they allow us to carry out everyday tasks with ease as it is one of the most used parts of the body, so there are ample chances and high risk for injuries in the shoulder. 

How Physical Therapies Can Help With Shoulder Pain And Shoulder Injuries?

Physical therapy for shoulder pain is often the most successful non-surgical treatment. The primary aim of physiotherapy is to strengthen the muscles in the shoulder area and improve their mobility. 

The treatment for shoulder pain relief and others includes custom-designed to help you recover from the injury and gain mobility. The therapists may also advise you on the process of altering the day-to-day activities to provide better support for your shoulders.

Physical Therapy Treatments For Shoulder Pain

Depending upon the type of your injury, the therapist will prescribe various treatments. It may include:

  • Ice Therapy – The RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression and Evaluation) model encourages icing the injured spots for acute injuries. It is also helpful in reducing swelling and inflammation, which in turn helps in the removal of pain. 
  • Heat Therapy – As ice therapy is usually used within the first four hours of getting injured, heat therapy should be used for better results after 72 hours of the injury. It acts as a painkiller that helps in relaxing the muscles.
  • Ultrasound – It is a therapeutic ultrasound that should not be confused with the diagnostic ultrasound. It is a type of physical therapy for shoulder pain in which the muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues are being treated as a session that involves deep heating. 
  • Electrical stimulation– In the way to strengthen the muscles of the injured shoulder is stimulating the nerves. Electrical stimulation is also used for contracting the muscles or reducing inflammation. However, it can also be used as a way to administer medication.
  • Hands-on Therapy – A physiotherapist must provide hands-on therapy, which helps a lot in the relaxation of the injured shoulder. The therapist uses his hand to put pressure on the tissue to aid in regaining natural mobility. 
  • Stretching – Stretching is a prevalent therapy for getting relief from shoulder pain as it has been designed to provide a gentle push to your muscles until you don’t regain your motion. Depending on the injury, the physiotherapists will more likely incorporate various stretch levels that will target the injured area near the shoulder. 
  • Workplace Ergonomics – Because of their age, some people can’t sit at a desk for eight long hours at a stretch. Ergonomics is a process that the physiotherapists would discuss with you to find ways to ensure that your body gets the ample amount of rest it needs. 

Physical Therapy Exercises For Shoulder Pain

There are various types of physical therapy exercises for shoulder pain relief and others. Some of them are as follows:

  • Across the chest – Try bringing one of your arms across your chest and hold it in place with the other hand. Then release that arm and try doing the same with another arm. It is the easiest physical therapy exercise. It can be done very quickly while sitting at your desk at work while watching TV and as part of your daily morning exercise. 
  • Pendulum – When one of your arms is resting at the back of your chair, try so that your other arm hangs loosely, and then try to circle it a few times, both clockwise and anti-clockwise. Then try releasing it and repeat on the opposite side. 
  • Doorway Stretch – Try standing in the doorway as such that your both elbows form right angles. Then step one of your feet forward while pressing your palms in the door, and then you have to lean forward slightly by ensuring that your core muscles are steady. Then repeat the same with your other foot also. 
  • Neck Release – To provide a little relief to your neck and shoulder muscles, try to dip your chin gently till your chin touches your chest and try feeling the stretch at the back of your neck. Then try lifting your head gently and tilt it to one of the sides to allow the opposite shoulder to stretch. Then try repeating the tilt to the other side also. 
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