Shoulder Pain Treatment By Personalized Physical Therapy in Merrick, NY
Shoulder pain. It's the worst, right? What was once second nature becomes a painful challenge. You may find it difficult to grab a cup of coffee in the morning or reach for that home run at a baseball game. If your shoulder isn't behaving, your quality of life is impacted. If you're in Merrick and experiencing such awful shoulder pain, look no further than your local Summit Physical Therapy, known for successful custom care that will have you back to your routine in no time.
No generic "one-size-fits-all" process with Summit Physical Therapy. When it comes to shoulder pain therapy, we ensure that everything is highly customized because no two shoulders are the same, let alone the pain experience.
Why Your Shoulder is Prone to Injury
Before we get into what we're going to do to fix the problem, it's essential to understand why your shoulder is vulnerable to so much pain in the first place. We've been calling the shoulder the most mobile joint in the body because it is. It works hard with a wide range of motion, and therein lies the problem. The shoulder is less stable with its extensive ability to rotate and pivot than other joints in the body.
More goes into your shoulder than you realize. The shoulder contains more muscles and bones than you think, thanks to its extensive attachment points. Basically, your shoulder consists of three bones: your upper arm bone (the humerus), the shoulder blade (the scapula), and the collarbone (the clavicle).
With such complex anatomy, shoulder pain can stem from many conditions, including:
- Rotator Cuff Injuries
- Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
- Frozen Shoulder
- Osteoarthritis
- Bursitis
- Dislocations and Subluxations
- Fractures
- Bicep Tendinitis
- Referred Pain
Shoulder Pain Treatment Starts Here
At Summit Physical Therapy in Merrick, treatment for shoulder pain starts with a thorough evaluation. This is more than just "Where does it hurt?"
An average evaluation consists of:
Thorough Consultation of Your History
We discuss previous injuries, pre-existing medical conditions, lifestyle, and how your shoulder pain started and progressed. Knowing what you do for work, what you do for fun, and what you do in your activities of daily living will help us figure out aggravating factors and, most importantly, your specific goals for restoration.
Thorough Physical Examination
Now we get to work! Our therapists will evaluate your shoulder range of motion, strength, flexibility, and posture. They will also palpate multiple areas to assess tenderness and/or muscle tightness. Your therapist will also watch your movements to look for compensatory motions or asymmetries that may be contributing to your shoulder pain.
Special Testing (If Needed)
Depending on your symptoms, your physical therapist might use certain tests to pinpoint the exact cause of your issue. For example, we may use Nerve Testing (EMG) and Joint Ultrasound (MSKUS) in-clinic to provide a definitive diagnosis. This advanced diagnostic service is critical to ensure your treatment doesn't just address symptoms but treats what's wrong at its source.
Functional Assessment
We will observe how shoulder pain impacts your daily activities, including lifting, reaching, getting dressed, or playing sports. This gives us a perspective about what you can and cannot do while allowing us to establish realistic and safe expectations and goals.
This holistic approach to assessment provides a comprehensive overview, enabling our physical therapists to accurately diagnose shoulder injuries and develop tailored therapeutic plans that align with your specific goals, needs, and current abilities.
What You Might Experience During Your Tailored Shoulder Pain Treatment
Once your tailored plan is in place, your shoulder pain therapy at Summit Physical Therapy will likely include some of the following evidence-based approaches, tailored just for you:
Manual Therapy
These are the hands-on techniques like soft tissue massage, joint mobilizations, and myofascial release. Such approaches work to reduce pain, improve the range of motion within the joint, and regain flexibility by reducing tightness in muscles and tissues.
Therapeutic Exercises
An individualized exercise program that will improve range of motion, strengthen any atrophied musculature, especially the rotator cuff, and improve joint stability around the shoulder as well. These will be progressed as you gain strength and range of motion.
Modalities
Cold and heat application, ultrasound, or electrical stimulation (i.e., TENS) are applied sparingly throughout the course of treatment in order to manage pain and inflammation and promote tissue healing.
Dry Needling
Some of our therapists employ this technique to address myofascial trigger points, which can help alleviate pain and tension throughout the shoulder and surrounding musculature.
Postural Training & Ergonomic Advice
You will be educated on postural awareness and general lifestyle adjustments so that you can avoid unnecessary stress on your shoulders and prevent re-injury.
This is also accompanied by an understanding of how to optimally and safely navigate your day, lift and engage in recreational activities without further aggravating your shoulder.
Home Exercise Program
You will receive a custom routine of exercises and stretches to perform at home so you can actively engage in your recovery between in-clinic visits. Your physical therapist will ensure you are comfortable performing these and progressing with them.
Return to Activity/Sport-Specific Training
For athletes or anyone returning to a sport, your regimen will feature sport-specific requirements to guarantee a safe return.
Are You Ready for Shoulder Pain Resolution?
Shoulder pain doesn't have to run your life anymore. If you live in Merrick, NY, and are experiencing shoulder pain, call Summit Physical Therapy today so they can provide you with the incredible value of a customized plan of care for your needs. This treatment plan will focus on injury resolution, strength and mobility improvement, and the ability to return to daily life pain-free.
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