Exercises for shoulder pain relief

Shoulder pain is an unfortunate problem for many athletes, weightlifters and people with physically demanding jobs. While it may seem counterintuitive, since physical activity is often the cause of shoulder pain, there are a number of targeted exercises that provide therapeutic benefits.

To help you better understand your treatment options if you are a suffering from shoulder pain, Armor Physical Therapy is providing the following overview of your treatment options. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about how we can help, don’t hesitate to reach out.

How shoulder pain exercises help

The goal of therapeutic exercises for shoulder pain is to improve strength, stability and range of motion in the injured area as well as the entire shoulder. Shoulder injuries are very often the result of muscle imbalances that lead to muscular strains and ligament sprains or even tears.

After evaluating the source of pain and determining the physical issues that may be contributing to it, a physical therapist can develop a personalized treatment plan, including shoulder pain exercises as well as other methods such as therapeutic massage.

Types of shoulder pain exercises

Targeted exercises recommended by physical therapists can include:

• • Active shoulder motion — to increase range of motion in the joints
  • Passive range of motion — typically using a device such as shoulder pulleys
  • Shoulder scapular stabilization — to strengthen the scapular muscle   
  • Rotator cuff strengthening — targeted exercises that improve flexibility and stability for better shoulder rotation

Physical therapists can perform these exercises in private sessions and also provide instruction on how to safely perform them at home. You should also receive instruction about using proper posture and movement to prevent future injuries or reinjury of the same area.  

At Armor Physical Therapy, our entire team of licensed physical therapists is committed to delivering personalized, hands-on care that puts you at the center of treatment. We’ll be happy to perform an evaluation of the source of your pain and develop a customized treatment plan that includes shoulder exercises.  

To learn more about how Armor Physical Therapy can help you with shoulder pain, contact one of our five Michigan offices to schedule your initial appointment.