Category: Shoulder Pain

How long will I have pain after rotator cuff surgery?
The answer for each patient can vary slightly. The most typical length of time patients experience pain after rotator cuff surgery is six months. It’s at this point that many patients are able to return to many of their pre-surgery activities.

Physical therapists are a vital part of your recovery process after rotator cuff surgery. These specialists can help you learn tips to reduce how long you have pain after rotator cuff surgery. They can also create an individualized rehab plan intended to decrease your pain faster.

Three tips that can help decrease how long your pain lasts after rotator cuff surgery

A few of the tips your surgeon and physical therapist may offer for post-operative pain relief include:
1. Wear your sling — Most patients are given a sling to wear after a rotator cuff surgery, and it’s important that you wear it. This device helps support the shoulder after surgery. It also keeps the shoulder in the best position for fast healing to occur.
1. Be careful how you sleep — Sleeping can be especially tough after rotator cuff surgery. Staying partially upright while you sleep is often the most comfortable post-surgical sleeping position. You can achieve this position by sleeping in a recliner or by sleeping on a wedge pillow.
1. Keep an eye out for complications — Post-operative infections and nerve damage are two complications that can occur after rotator cuff surgery. Although these complications aren’t common you should still keep an eye out for them. A prolonged fever could be a sign of infections. Nerve damage is often signaled by odd tingling or feelings of numbness in the arm or hand.
How can your physical therapist help decrease how long your pain lasts after rotator cuff surgery?

One answer to this question is they can build you a recovery plan that’s personalized to you. In many cases, such a plan can include therapy methods like:
- Manual therapy that can mobilize and manipulate the recovering shoulder joint and the surrounding soft tissue.
- Aquatic therapy intended to remove pressure from the shoulder during therapy movements.
- Blood flow moderation training designed to strengthen the muscles that support your shoulder.
- Virtual therapy sessions where you work with your physical therapist over a secure video feed.
- At-home care appointments where your physical therapist comes to your home to work with you.
Border Therapy Services can help reduce how long you’re in pain after rotator cuff surgery

Recently had rotator cuff surgery? Our Border Therapy Services team offers post-surgical rehab that can help you recover faster. We can start by doing a free screening of your shoulder to determine where you are in your recovery process. Then, our specialists can construct an individualized rehab plan designed to decrease your pain. Our plans can also help increase your shoulder strength, improve functional mobility and reduce the risks of future shoulder injuries.

Contact us today for more information about our post-surgical rehab services or to schedule an initial appointment.
December 10, 2020
Who needs physical therapy for shoulder pain?
There are many people who may need help treating shoulder pain, and physical therapy is an effective option that can help.

Shoulder pain isn’t something that most people are likely to avoid. In any given month it’s estimated that up to 31% of people are dealing with an issue that causes shoulder pain. There are many different issues that can benefit from physical therapy for shoulder pain, but you may be wondering if a therapy specialist can help you with your specific condition.

Some common shoulder pain causes that you can use physical therapy for

It’s true that physical therapy might not be the right option for some causes of shoulder pain. For instance, people with severe joint trauma from a car accident will likely require surgery. However, therapeutic care can be a first-line treatment options for shoulder issues such as:
What could be involved in physical therapy for shoulder pain?

The first step in your therapy process will be an evaluation by an experienced physical therapist. This specialist may have you perform tests to pinpoint which movements lead to pain, and they could also ask you questions about your daily activities or other symptoms you’re having.

After gathering this information, your physical therapist can create a therapy plan that’s personalized to your needs. Some of the therapy methods your plan could include are:
- Therapeutic exercises to stretch and strengthen shoulder muscles.
- Soft tissue mobilization to reduce tension in painful shoulders.
- Joint mobilization to improve shoulder range of motion.
- Graston Technique^® sessions that can break down scar tissue from previous shoulder injuries.
Find effective physical therapy for your shoulder pain at Panther PT

Not sure where to turn for therapeutic care for your shoulder pain? Our Panther Physical Therapy team is ready and willing to provide you with the top-notch therapy you’re looking for. We offer free screenings that can pinpoint the precise cause of your shoulder pain. Additionally, our therapists are adept at constructing individualized therapy plans designed to offer benefits like:
- Reduced pain
- Improved joint mobility
- Decreased risk of future shoulder pain
We can even help treat your shoulder pain from home with an at-home care or virtual therapy session.

Contact our team today for more information about all our treatment options for shoulder pain or to schedule an initial appointment.
December 5, 2020
What can cause shoulder and elbow pain at the same time?
Often, pushing yourself during a workout can lead to aching in your shoulder and elbow. Playing a high-impact sport can also leave these areas banged up and painful. Such issues will typically feel better after some rest. However, there are issues that cause shoulder and elbow pain that require professional help.

A physical therapist can help you treat shoulder pain, elbow pain or a combination of the two. Part of the physical therapy process will be evaluating the painful areas to learn the cause of your pain. Additionally, therapy specialists have many techniques at their disposal to treat pain in both of these joints.

Two common causes of shoulder and elbow pain

There are two issues that physical therapists see that commonly lead to elbow and shoulder discomfort. These issues are:
1. Bicipital tendinitis — The biceps tendon is located at the front of your shoulder. When it’s overstretched or inflamed, it can cause aching in both the shoulder and elbow. This condition is common in people who overuse their biceps. It’s also commonly linked to a problem with the rotator cuff.
1. Pinched nerve — There is a group of four nerves called the brachial plexus. These nerves run through the shoulder and down the arm. One of these nerves being pinched or irritated can easily lead to tingling, numbness and discomfort. These symptoms can occur in the shoulder, elbow, forearm and hand.
What can a physical therapist do to treat shoulder and elbow pain?

The most important step your physical therapist can take to help your pain is help you understand what’s causing it. Not far behind is their ability to build you an individualized therapy plan.

To treat your pain, your physical therapist could use techniques like:
- Soft tissue mobilization that can reduce tension in shoulder and arm muscles.
- Joint mobilization to improve joint restriction.
- Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) that can break up areas of scar tissue in the shoulder and arm.
- Blood flow restriction training designed to build up strength in shoulder and arm muscles.
- Virtual therapy sessions where you work with your physical therapist over a secure video connection.
- At-home care appointments where you work one-on-one with your physical therapist in your home.
Find the care you need for shoulder and elbow pain at Armor PT

Our team at Armor Physical Therapy has experience treating a wide range of musculoskeletal issues, including problems with the shoulders and elbows. We offer free screenings that can pinpoint the root cause of your pain. Additionally, our physical therapists are adept at creating personalized therapy plans designed to reduce pain and prevent it from returning. We can even get you started on your therapy without a doctor’s referral.

Contact us today for more information about our shoulder and elbow therapy services or to schedule an initial appointment.
December 2, 2020
Two stretches you should try if you have neck and shoulder pain
Helping your kids get ready for school in the morning. Typing an email at work. Checking the traffic at a stop sign. These are just some of the normal daily activities that can be tougher when you have neck and shoulder pain.

It’s an unfortunate fact that many people will end up dealing with these types of pain at some point. Medical research reports that up to 70% of people will have neck pain in their lifetime. Studies also reveal that up to 66.7% of people will develop shoulder pain at some time in their life. Physical therapists can help you find effective treatment for neck pain and shoulder pain, and the treatment plans created by these specialists will often include stretching exercises like:
1. The levator scapulae stretch
One stretch that physical therapists may prescribe to treat neck and shoulder pain is the levator scapulae stretch. The levator scapulae is a muscle that runs from the neck to the shoulder blade, and its primary job is to lift the shoulder blade. It also plays a role in bending the neck to the side and rotating it right or left. Stretching this muscle can help realign the neck and shoulders, which can help decrease pain.

How to do the levator scapulae stretch
- Find an open door and stand near the opening with good posture.
- Place your right forearm on the wall or door frame with your hand pointed up toward the ceiling.
- Lean forward slightly.
- Move your head down and to the left until you feel a stretch in your neck and shoulder. It should look like you’re trying to put your chin in your armpit.
- Hold the stretch for 10 seconds.
- Return to the starting position; then switch arms and repeat these steps to stretch the other side of your neck and other shoulder.
- Continue to repeat the steps until you’ve stretched both sides three times.
1. The butterfly stretch
Another stretch your physical therapy plan for neck and shoulder pain may include is the butterfly stretch. This stretch is designed to target the trapezius muscle, which is a large, triangular muscle that attaches to the neck, shoulder and middle back. You have one of these muscles on each side of your spine, and they help move the neck and support the shoulders and arms.

How to do the butterfly stretch
- Begin by standing up with good posture.
- Place each palm on the opposite shoulder so that your elbows form a butterfly shape.
- Slowly bring your elbows together until you feel a stretch in your shoulders and upper back.
- Hold the stretch for 10 to 15 seconds.
- Slowly let your elbows move away from each other.
- Rest for a few seconds, and then repeat the stretch until you’ve completed two to three repetitions.
Need more than stretches for neck and shoulder pain? Excel PT can help!

Stretches are one option for treating neck and shoulder pain, but our Excel Sports & Physical Therapy team can help you find many other treatment options as well. We’ll start by evaluating your neck and shoulders to pinpoint the root cause(s) of your pain. Next, our physical therapists will build you a personalized therapy plan designed to reduce your pain, and this plan can include stretches and therapy methods like:
- Soft tissue mobilization
- Joint mobilization
- Dry needling
- Aquatic therapy
- Astym^® therapy
- At-home care
- Virtual therapy
Contact our team today for more information about our physical therapy services for neck and shoulder pain or to schedule an initial appointment.
November 12, 2020
What happens if you don’t have physical therapy after rotator cuff surgery?
A short answer to this question is nothing good. There are, of course, risks associated with any surgery. It’s also not uncommon for people to have post-surgical complications.

Rotator cuff surgery isn’t performed as often as joint replacements and other procedures; still, it’s estimated that more than 460,000 Americans have this type of surgery annually. However, doing physical therapy after rotator cuff surgery can help you avoid several complications.

Not doing physical therapy after rotator cuff surgery can lead to these complications

Complications after surgery aren’t completely unknown. Avoiding physical therapy after rotator cuff surgery can put you at higher risk of developing complications like:
1. Joint stiffness — Scar tissue typically forms as the rotator cuff heals after surgery. This can lead to an increase in post-surgical stiffness. Such stiffness can continue to make your life more difficult long after your surgery is over. One study reports that nearly 9% of patients who had rotator cuff surgery experienced significant stiffness following surgery. Fortunately, the study also reports that physical therapy helped 67% of patients resolve their stiffness within five months.
1. Blood clots — Blood clots often occur when patients don’t move around enough after surgery. These clots are blood that has turned from liquid to a gel-like state. This complication can easily affect patients after rotator cuff surgery.
A medical study reveals that almost 6% of the patients surveyed developed blood clots within three months of shoulder surgery. Physical therapists can help get you moving sooner after surgery, which can decrease your risk of blood clots.
1. Rotator cuff reinjury — A major complication that not doing physical therapy can lead to is reinjury. A study of rotator cuff surgery patients reveals that 33% of them developed another rotator cuff tear after their initial surgery. Some of the risk factors listed for a rotator cuff reinjury included:
- Old age
- Large size of the initial tear
- Fatty infiltration of the rotator cuff muscles as a result of muscle atrophy
SSOR offers beneficial post-rotator cuff surgery physical therapy

Keen to avoid complications after rotator cuff surgery? Our physical therapy specialists at SSOR can help you recover faster and avoid complications after surgery. We’ll start by evaluating your shoulder to learn what post-surgical issues you have. Then, our physical therapists will create a personalized rehab plan for you.

Worrying that you won’t be able to come to one of our clinics for therapy? No problem! We offer several therapy services you can use from home, including at-home care and virtual therapy sessions.

Contact us today for more information about our post-surgical rehab services or to schedule an initial appointment.
November 5, 2020
Two examples of shoulder impingement physical therapy exercises
Discomfort when you reach above or behind your head. Pain that increases overnight. Weakness in the shoulder and arm. People with these symptoms may be dealing with a condition called a shoulder impingement.

Shoulder impingement syndrome is a common shoulder problem; it’s estimated that this condition causes up to 65% of all shoulder pain. There are exercises that can help reduce shoulder impingement symptoms. However, it can be tough to tell which exercises will work best for you. Physical therapy specialists can help you find the most effective exercises for your shoulder impingement, and here are two examples of the types of exercises your physical therapist could recommend:
1. Scapular rotation exercise
One physical therapy exercise that can help treat shoulder impingement symptoms is the scapular rotation exercise. The scapulae are better known as the shoulder blades, and muscles called the scapula stabilizers are the target of this exercise. The goals of the scapular rotation exercise are to build strength in the scapula stabilizers and help realign the head of the humerus in the shoulder socket.

Steps for doing the scapular rotation exercise
- Stand with your shoulders relaxed.
- Raise your shoulders upward as far as possible.
- Then, roll them backward and down as far as you can. Your goal is to squeeze the shoulder blades together.
- Hold this position for between five and 10 seconds.
- Relax your shoulders; then repeat the exercise until you’ve completed it eight to 10 times.
1. Scapula pull
The scapula pull is another exercise your physical therapy specialist might prescribe if you have shoulder impingement syndrome. This exercise is another way to target your scapula stabilizing muscles.

Steps for doing the scapula pull exercise
- Hold your arms straight out in front of you.
- Push only your shoulders forward as far as you can. Be sure not to move your back or neck.
- Slowly pull your shoulders backward as far as you’re able to. Again, avoid moving your back or neck as part of this movement.
- Hold this position for five to 10 seconds.
- Repeat these steps until you’ve done eight to 10 reps, resting as needed.
Peak Performance offers more physical therapy options for a shoulder impingement than exercises

It’s important to remember that exercises are merely one treatment option that physical therapy specialists can offer for shoulder impingement syndrome. At Peak Performance, our specialists are able to offer many other treatment options as well.

We’ll start by performing a comprehensive screening of your shoulder. This can include testing your shoulder strength and range of motion, and it might also involve asking you questions about your symptoms and medical history. Then, our team can build you a personalized physical therapy plan designed to reduce and prevent the recurrence of your symptoms. Such a plan could include therapeutic exercises and other techniques like:
Contact us today for more information about how we can treat your shoulder impingement or to schedule your initial appointment.
November 1, 2020
Four home treatments for mild shoulder pain
Your shoulder is an incredibly complex joint made up of many interwoven ligaments, tendons and muscles. All these tissues operate together to help you rotate your arm, lift objects and raise your arms over your head. You use your shoulders for practically every activity. This means shoulder pain can make your life much more difficult.

Serious shoulder pain requires professional health care assistance. However, some cases of shoulder pain are minor. Mild cases of shoulder pain can often benefit from a few days of rest and some simple home treatments. Here are a few tips you should follow at home for shoulder pain treatment:
1. Rest — Pain may be your shoulder’s way of trying to tell you that it’s been worked too hard and needs a break. Take some time from physical activity that requires shoulder use, and avoid lying on your shoulder.
1. Use ice and heat — Applying ice to your shoulder can help reduce inflammation that may be related to your pain. Apply ice a few times a day for about 10 minutes each time. After a day or two of icing, you can apply heat to help soothe the pain. It’s important to wait this day or two to apply heat because it can make inflammation worse.
1. Stretch and exercise — Some light stretching and exercising can help encourage your sore muscles, ligaments and tendons to heal while keeping the healthy ones fit. This can also help improve your ability to prevent injuries in the future. Talk to your health care provider about exercises and stretches that are right for you.
1. Take some medicine — Some simple pain or anti-inflammatory medicine can help reduce minor shoulder pain. Talk to your doctor about what kind of medication is right for you if you’re unsure.
Signs that home treatment might not be enough for your shoulder pain

Home treatments are great for helping minor shoulder pain, but when the pain is serious, you need professional assistance. Severe shoulder pain that’s left untreated can grow worse over time and lead to greater problems like permanent disability.

A few signs that you need to seek professional assistance for your shoulder include:
- Your pain doesn’t respond to home treatment.
- The pain you’re feeling doesn’t go away after a few days.
- Swelling around the affected shoulder hasn’t decreased.
- You’re feeling numbness or weakness in your shoulder, arm or hand.
Find professional help treating shoulder pain at Advent Physical Therapy

Think that home treatments might not be enough for your shoulder pain? At Advent Physical Therapy, our physical therapists will work one-on-one with you to identify the source of your shoulder pain. We also excel at creating personalized treatment plans intended to reduce your pain and inflammation, and your plan can include physical therapy methods like:
Contact our team today for more information about our physical therapy services or to schedule an initial appointment.
October 19, 2020
Benefits of using manual therapy for shoulder pain treatment
Playing fetch with your dog. Typing that work proposal. Making pancakes for your grandkids. These are all tasks that can become much harder to do when you’re living with shoulder pain.

Unfortunately, many of us are likely to have to deal with shoulder pain-related problems. After all, medical studies estimate that up to 31% of Americans develop shoulder pain in any given month. If you need shoulder pain treatment, you should consider physical therapy. Physical therapy includes many different techniques that can help you with your shoulder issues, including manual therapy.

Benefits of manual therapy for shoulder pain treatment

Manual therapy isn’t just one therapy technique — it’s an entire category of therapy. The techniques fall into this category all involve a physical therapist using their hands to manipulate or mobilize joints and soft tissue. This category of therapy can offer many benefits for shoulder pain treatment, including:
- Reducing the pain of your shoulder issue
- Decreasing the amount of inflammation in your shoulder
- Increasing the range of motion in your shoulder
- Improving your ability to do normal daily activities with your shoulder
- Reducing the risk of recurring shoulder pain or problems
Types of manual therapy available for shoulder pain treatment

One of the most beneficial types of manual therapy used for shoulder pain is joint mobilization. Joint mobilization is intended to help improve the stability and flexibility in the shoulder joint. This can help restore your range of motion after an injury or if you’re experiencing chronic shoulder pain.

Other types of manual therapy our team of physical therapists uses are soft tissue mobilization and muscle energy techniques. These can also be used for shoulder pain, depending on the condition, and they can be combined with other effective therapy methods like:
- Aquatic therapy
- Therapeutic exercises
- Functional dry needling
- Blood flow moderation training
Find manual therapy and other shoulder pain treatment options at Border Therapy Services

Looking for the most effective way to reduce your shoulder pain? Our Border Therapy Services team is ready and willing to help you find the treatment you’re looking for. We offer free screenings intended to reveal the precise cause of your shoulder pain. In addition, our physical therapists excel at building personalized shoulder therapy plans designed to reduce pain and recovery time using beneficial physical therapy methods, including manual therapy.

Can’t make it to an in-person appointment with us? That’s OK! We offer physical therapy services that you can use without leaving your home, including at-home therapy and virtual care sessions. We can even get you started with a physical therapy plan if you don’t yet have a doctor’s referral.

Don’t wait any longer to start getting our help with your shoulder pain. Contact us today for more information about how we can help you or to schedule your initial appointment.
September 9, 2020
What you should know about diagnosing and treating shoulder pain
Your shoulder is an important joint made up of bones, cartilage, ligaments and tendons that help your arm move and carry weight. Since your shoulder is composed of so many parts, it can get hurt for a number of reasons.

Shoulder pain may be related to strain or overexertion. In many of these cases, you should be fine after a few days of taking it easy, icing and using over-the-counter pain medication. However, shoulder discomfort can also be severe and long lasting, and when it is, it’s likely that you have an issue such as a rotator cuff injury. Physical therapists can help you learn the root cause of your shoulder symptoms. Additionally, they can help you find treatment options for shoulder conditions that are personalized to your needs.

How is the cause of shoulder pain diagnosed?

If you are suffering from shoulder pain, your physical therapist will assess your shoulder to form a treatment plan. To do this, they will need to examine your symptoms, ask questions about your medical history and perform a series of tests.

Many of these tests can be done in a physical therapy clinic, and they’re intended to test your pain level, range of motion and muscle strength. However, your physical therapist might also recommend that you have other types of tests performed by other medical professionals. Some of these other tests can include:
- Computed tomography (CT) scans
- X-rays
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans
- Electromyograms
What can a physical therapist do to treat your shoulder pain?

Severe cases of shoulder pain may require surgery for treatment, but many shoulder issues can be effectively treated with physical therapy.

Physical therapy is an excellent option for treating shoulder issues because physical therapists are skilled in treating the musculoskeletal system. This is the system that includes your muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, joints and cartilage. In other words, everything that makes up your shoulder.

Physical therapy for shoulder conditions aims to reduce discomfort and restore mobility. This is primarily done by doing exercises intended to strengthen and stretch the muscles and ligaments. Other treatment options your physical therapist might use include:
- McKenzie Method^®
- Dry needling
- Manual therapy
- Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM)
Physical therapy can also help you recover from shoulder surgery if your condition requires it. If you have to get shoulder surgery, talk to your physical therapist about your pre-surgical therapy and post-surgical rehab options.

Advent Physical Therapy offers effective treatment for shoulder pain

Are you looking for help with reducing your shoulder pain and restoring its functionality? Our Advent Physical Therapy team is here to help you meet these goals and more. We offer free screenings that are intended to pinpoint the cause of your shoulder symptoms. Our team can then construct a personalized therapy plan for you to help you meet your goals.

Unable to come to an in-person appointment? It’s OK! We offer services like at-home therapy and virtual care that you can use without leaving your home. Even better, we can get you started with your physical therapy even if you don’t have a doctor’s referral.

Contact us today to schedule an initial appointment or to find out more about how physical therapy can help you.
September 9, 2020
Why you should turn to a sports therapist for shoulder injury treatment
Throwing a ball. Impacts with other players. Landing on the ground shoulder-first. These are just a few of the ways you could develop a shoulder injury while playing sports.

Shoulder injuries are most common in athletes who make repetitive overhead movements. It’s reported that 30% of such athletes experience a shoulder injury during their career. One option that can help treat your sports-related shoulder injury is sports therapy.

Two common shoulder injuries that sports therapy can treat

While there are many ways that your shoulder can be injured while playing sports, there are two particular types of shoulder injuries that sports therapy specialists see frequently. These two injuries are:
1. Shoulder dislocations — Shoulder dislocation occurs when your upper arm bone comes out of your shoulder socket. This injury can occur as a result of heavy blows to your arm or shoulder. These heavy blows are common when you’re playing a contact sport, such as football, soccer or rugby. A shoulder dislocation can also lead to muscle and tendon damage that can benefit from physical therapy.
1. Strained muscles — Muscle strains occur when your muscles are stretched beyond their normal range. This excessive stretching leads to microscopic tears in your muscle fibers that cause pain. There are several sports in which high arm and shoulder use frequently lead to muscle sprains. Some of these sports include baseball, tennis and basketball.
How can a sports therapy specialist treat shoulder injuries?

Therapy specialists have many techniques at their disposal that can treat shoulder injuries. Such techniques are intended to reduce pain. They can also help improve shoulder range of motion and function. A few of the beneficial therapy methods your physical therapist may use on your shoulder are:
- Astym^® therapy
- Manual therapy
- Joint mobilization
- Aquatic therapy
- Trigger point therapy
Excel Sports & Physical Therapy offers sports therapy for shoulder injuries

Have you damaged your shoulder while playing sports? Our physical therapists at Excel Sports & Physical Therapy can help you find effective sports therapy for your injury. We offer free screenings designed to reveal the type of injury you have. In addition, our team excels at building personalized physical therapy plans intended to reduce pain and get you back to playing faster.

Don’t want to leave home to get your physical therapy? That’s OK! We offer virtual therapy and at-home care services, which are designed to help you right in your own home.

Take the next step to start getting our assistance with your shoulder injury. Contact our team today for more information about our treatment options or to schedule a free screening.
September 8, 2020
Four rotator cuff injuries that can set you back
Feeling pain when you comb your hair? Getting a twinge in your shoulder when you reach behind your back? If you answered yes to either question, you might have a rotator cuff injury.

The rotator cuff consists of four muscles and tendons, which help stabilize the shoulder joint and allow for mobility. Damage to these muscles and the attached ligaments can be due to aging, chronic overuse or injury. It’s also estimated that more than 22% of people have rotator cuff tears. An injured rotator cuff can cause shoulder pain and decreased range of motion in the shoulder joint. These injuries can also take several forms.

Four types of rotator cuff injuries

There are many ways that people can injure their rotator cuff. Some of the most common of these include:
1. Acute injury — These are injuries that don’t develop over time. Typically, they occur from a spontaneous raising of your arm against resistance, such as when you’re lifting a heavy object over your head.
1. Chronic injury — This type of injury gradually develops over time. It’s more common in people who play sports with excessive overhead activity, such as tennis. Chronic injuries can also develop from repetitive overhead movements performed at work. Some occupations that are at risk of a chronic rotator cuff issue include painters and carpenters.
1. Tendinitis — This issue occurs when the tendons in the rotator cuff become inflamed or worn out. It typically occurs as a result of aging or repetitive shoulder movements. Rotator cuff tendinitis can take a minimum of two to four weeks to heal.
1. Glenohumeral subluxation — This is an issue that occurs when the shoulder joint is loose and unstable. Glenohumeral subluxation causes the rotator cuff to have to work harder and can lead to rotator cuff injury, discomfort or weakness.
Whatcom Physical Therapy offers treatment for rotator cuff injuries

It takes time to heal from a rotator cuff injury, so be patient. Our physical therapists at Whatcom Physical Therapy can be your partner during your recovery process. We can start off your recovery by performing a free screening. This can help reveal what type of rotator cuff issue you’re dealing with. Our team also excels at building personalized therapy plans for shoulder injuries.

Think you need a doctor’s referral to use our therapy services? Our team doesn’t actually require one from you before you begin working with us. Additionally, we’re currently offering virtual care physical therapy that can help you get treatment from home.

Ready to start getting our help with your shoulder injury? Contact our team today for more information about how we can help or to schedule an initial appointment.
July 3, 2020
Four conditions that cause pain in the shoulder blade area
The shoulder blades protect the intricate array of soft tissue that connects the arm to the torso, making it an extremely important connection point in the skeletal system. However, if pain develops here, it can be disruptive to your daily activities and quality of life. There is a wide range of potential causes for pain in the shoulder blade area, and learning how these different issues can develop can be an important part of finding relief.

There is no substitute for seeing a qualified health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of pain in the shoulder blade area, and self-treatment can potentially worsen your injury in some cases. We’re sharing the following guide to potential causes to help you work with a qualified professional on a more informed basis.

Pain in the shoulder blade area — common causes

Patients with pain in and around the shoulder blade are often diagnosed with one of these conditions or injuries:
1. Muscle strain — There are a lot of muscles in the shoulder blade area, and we ask them to do a lot of work. Whether playing a sport like golf or tennis or engaging in manual labor, it is very easy to develop this relatively minor injury.
2. Rotator cuff tear — The rotator cuff is the collection of muscles and connective tissue that is responsible for much of the fine arm movement we carry out on a daily basis. The heavy load we put on the rotator cuff combined with its delicate nature means painful tears can very often occur.
3. Osteoarthritis — This age-related condition develops due to natural deterioration of protective joint cartilage, including the cartilage that cushions the shoulder. In addition to pain in the shoulder blade area, osteoarthritis can also cause stiffness and grinding sensations.
4. Spine conditions — The upper spine protects the spinal cord right as it leaves the brain and starts to branch out to the upper extremities. Certain spine injuries such as herniated discs or bone spurs can potentially cause nerve compression that can lead to radiating pain in the shoulder blade area.
Upon diagnosis of your shoulder pain, taking a proactive approach to treatment can give you the best chance of finding the lasting relief you’re seeking. By taking a natural approach based on improving the strength and functioning of the target area and the entire body, physical therapy is a highly effective method that should be part of any treatment plan.

Shoulder pain relief with Back in Motion

At Back in Motion Physical Therapy, our skilled and experienced team can identify underlying causes of your pain in the shoulder blade area and develop a targeted treatment plan that is customized for your personal needs and treatment goals. We believe in highly personalized care and the latest evidence-based practices to deliver long-term relief. To learn more and schedule your initial appointment, contact us today.
June 8, 2020