Shoulder pain is very common. After all, we use our shoulders for lots of high-impact activities like lifting heavy objects, pushing or pulling equipment or even swinging a golf club or tennis racket. There are also so many moving parts in the shoulder that allow for the complex range of motion required of the arms. The result is that a strain, sprain or even a tear in the shoulder is something most of us have to deal with at one point or another.
In the majority of cases, a flare-up of minor shoulder pain should subside with a few days’ rest and the application of a cold compress and/or a heating pad. But how do you know when more serious attention and treatment is required? We’re sharing the following information with you to help you be a more empowered and proactive patient. Please feel free to get in touch with the team at Border Therapy Services if you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment.
Don’t ignore these three signs of shoulder pain
While muscle strains or ligament sprains can typically improve on their own, more serious problems like tears or fractures require more involved treatment. They are also far more likely to worsen if left untreated. If you are experiencing any of these three symptoms, seek immediate medical attention:
- You are unable to lift your arm without assistance. This is often an indicator of a tear in the rotator cuff, but there can be other causes as well.
- You experience pain that runs across your upper body. This could be a sign of an acromioclavicular (AC) joint separation as well as a condition known as “frozen shoulder.” Both require intervention to avoid worsening symptoms.
- Your shoulder is dislocated. It’s possible you’ve seen an instance of someone painfully replacing a dislocated shoulder with nonmedical assistance. You should seek professional help if this occurs to you, as improperly relocating a shoulder can cause serious injury.
Upon diagnosing and treating the cause of shoulder pain, doctors will typically recommend a comprehensive treatment plan that will very often include physical therapy.
Physical therapy for shoulder pain
The experienced and compassionate physical therapy team at Border Therapy Services can help you find relief and regain mobility if shoulder pain is interfering with your active lifestyle. We offer a personalized evaluation and treatment plan consisting of a full range of techniques to help loosen tense or spastic muscles, relieve inflamed soft tissue, and strengthen and stabilize your shoulder.
Schedule your initial appointment when you contact us today