The reality is that there are several connections between the shoulder and elbow. For instance, a group of nerves called the brachial plexus provides sensation to the entire arm. Additionally, muscles like the biceps provide another connection between these two joints.
The nerve and muscle connections between the shoulder and elbow are two reasons that you may feel pain in both joints. Unfortunately, both of these joints are susceptible to pain; medical researchers estimate that approaching 70% of people have shoulder pain in their lifetime. A physical therapist can help you learn what’s causing your shoulder and elbow pain. These specialists can also offer effective treatment options for both types of pain.
Common causes of shoulder and elbow pain
Many conditions and injuries can cause pain in both of these joints at the same time. Your physical therapist can perform a comprehensive evaluation to determine the cause of your pain. A few of the common causes of pain in both joints includes:
- Cubital tunnel syndrome
- Bicipital tendinitis
- Pinched nerves
- Shoulder or elbow osteoarthritis
- Shoulder or elbow bursitis
- Fibromyalgia
What can a physical therapist do to treat shoulder and elbow pain?
Understanding which of the above issues is causing your pain is the first step toward treating it. The next step your physical therapist will take is designing your individualized therapy plan, and such a plan will typically include therapy methods like:
- Aquatic therapy designed to improve elbow and shoulder strength with less stress on these joints.
- Manual therapy techniques that can improve the flexibility and range of motion of the affected joints.
- Therapeutic exercises to stretch and strengthen your arm muscles.
- Functional dry needling intended to create a local twitch response that eases soft tissue tension.
- Blood flow moderation training designed to more rapidly increase arm muscle strength.
Get effective therapeutic care for your shoulders and elbows at Border Therapy Services
Feel like shoulder and elbow pain are dragging your entire life down? Our team at Border Therapy Services is ready and willing to help you find effective treatment for your pain. We offer free screenings that can reveal the source of your joint pain. Then, our top-notch physical therapists can construct a personalized therapy plan designed to decrease your pain and prevent its return.
Interested in getting our help from home? Our therapy team offers at-home care and virtual therapy services that can meet this interest.
Contact our team today for more information about our shoulder and elbow therapy services or to schedule an initial appointment.