Shoulder pain treatment in Portage, MI

Shoulder pain is not something that patients should just tough out or ignore. The inability to raise your arms can make simple tasks like reaching for a glass in the cabinet impossible. Leaving shoulder pain untreated can make the problem worse and you could develop arthritis or even a frozen shoulder. In Portage, Michigan, Armor Physical Therapy has several treatment options so that patients can continue to reach for the top shelf.

What causes shoulder pain?

The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint that connects your arm to your torso. It is one of the most mobile joints in the entire body, allowing you to lift, rotate and bend your arms. This mobility comes at the cost of stability in the joint, which makes shoulder injuries easier to occur. A fall or lifting a heavy object can often cause damage to the shoulder.

Patients who do a lot of lifting at their jobs, or athletes who have repetitive swinging motions like in baseball, tennis or swimming, can develop overuse injuries. Shoulder tendinitis or an inflamed bursa that cushions the shoulder can cause pain that may prevent you from being able to lift your arms.

Physical therapy for shoulder pain

Regardless of the severity of your injury, physical therapy can help regain the use of your shoulder. The main goals of physical therapy are to improve range of motion, build strength in the surrounding muscles and improve stability in the joint. Physical therapists will prescribe exercises for your treatment, but may also use other treatment options including:

• Electrical stimulation with a TENS unit to increase blood flow
• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to break up and prevent the formation of scar tissue
• Ice and heat therapies to ease tension and reduce inflammation

Scheduling treatment with Armor Physical Therapy

Armor Physical Therapy in Portage, Michigan treats patients with all types of shoulder injuries. Whether you are seeking post-surgical rehab for rotator cuff surgery or are suffering from arthritis, we can work with you to develop a treatment plan that meets your goals. Contact us today to set up your initial appointment.