Shoulder pain can be a debilitating and frustrating condition that affects many people. It is the third most common musculoskeletal complaint registered according to the World Health Organisation and within our lifetime it has been found to affect up to 30% of us. Further research has recently pointed to the fact that 10% of all athletic injuries are related to the shoulder.
If you’re looking for a solution to treat your aching shoulder, physiotherapy may be the answer. Physiotherapy is a non-invasive and drug-free approach to treating shoulder pain that focuses on improving mobility, strength, and flexibility. Physiotherapists use a variety of techniques and exercises to address the underlying causes of your shoulder pain. They will assess your shoulder mobility, strength, and posture and develop a personalized treatment plan to target your specific needs.
The first step in physiotherapy treatment for shoulder pain is to identify the underlying cause of your pain. This may involve a thorough examination of your shoulder joint, muscles, and surrounding structures. Once the cause of your pain is determined, your physiotherapist will then develop a treatment plan that may include a combination of manual therapy techniques, exercises, and other modalities.
Manual therapy techniques such as joint mobilizations, soft tissue massage, and stretching can help improve joint mobility, reduce pain, and increase the range of motion in your shoulder. These techniques are often used in conjunction with therapeutic exercises to strengthen the muscles that support the shoulder joint. Your physiotherapist will guide you through a series of exercises designed to improve strength, flexibility, and stability in your shoulder.
In addition to manual therapy and exercises, your physiotherapist may also use other modalities such as heat or cold therapy, electrotherapy, or ultrasound to further reduce pain and inflammation in your shoulder. These modalities can provide temporary relief and enhance the effects of manual therapy and exercises. Let us have a look at these methods:
Heat and cold therapy – Heat is best for tense muscles, sore muscles, and the stiffness and pain associated with arthritis. Heat can also be used after an acute injury to increase blood flow once the swelling has subsided. Remember, applying heat too quickly after an acute injury can increase swelling. After a sudden injury, ice therapy should be used for the first 24 to 72 hours. The patient can then turn to heat therapy to increase blood flow to the area. Applying ice packs treats frozen shoulders and helps reduce muscle spasms. A frozen shoulder responds better to cold than heat. Cold is a natural pain reliever which numbs the pain of the injury. Your physiotherapist will assess your situation and use any of the therapy as required.
Electrotherapy – The shoulder joint is one of the most complex joints in the entire human body. Neuromuscular electric stimulation for shoulder pain has been established over the past few decades to be an effective therapy used by physical therapists to treat shoulder muscles. Electrotherapy modalities (also known as electrophysical agents) are types of physical therapy that aim to reduce pain and improve function via an increase in energy (electrical, sound, light, thermal) into the body. Examples include therapeutic ultrasound, low-level laser therapy (LLLT), interferential current, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF). Electrotherapy modalities are delivered by various clinicians, including physiotherapists, chiropractors and osteopaths.
Ultrasound – Ultrasound works by sending sound waves through the body. Doctors can recommend ultrasound therapy to treat shoulder pain. It may work best alongside other treatments. Many people know ultrasound as an imaging tool that allows doctors to see inside the body. It can also be therapeutic, promoting tissue healing and treating pain. Both imaging and therapeutic ultrasound procedures use certain sound waves. The biological effects that result depend on the frequency of those sound waves. A recent study found that continuous, low-intensity ultrasound resulted in significant pain reduction for people with myofascial pain in the shoulder and neck. Myofascial pain is musculoskeletal pain that appears in a confined area.
Throughout your physiotherapy treatment, your therapist will closely monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan. They will also educate you on proper posture, body mechanics, and ergonomics to prevent future shoulder injuries and ensure long-term recovery. Overall, physiotherapy can be a highly effective and holistic approach to treating shoulder pain. It focuses on addressing the root cause of your pain rather than just masking the symptoms. By working with a skilled physiotherapist, you can experience long-term relief from your shoulder pain and regain full function in your shoulder joint. Don’t let shoulder pain limit your lifestyle – seek the help of a physiotherapist today!
For more information on managing shoulder pain or to book a session with us, please get in touch with our experts. We can help you to understand why you have shoulder pain, what factors have most likely caused your pain and how to modify your activity to improve your pain and recovery. Our trained team can guide you on the most appropriate exercises for your issue and provide other helpful treatments like manual therapy, soft tissue releases and Strengthening exercises.