5 Things to Expect While Undergoing Physical Therapy for Shoulder Pain
Millions of people suffering from shoulder pain every year turn to physical therapy to try and get some relief. Whether your shoulder pain results from an injury or overuse, physical therapy may help relieve your discomfort. However, if you’re new to physical therapy, you’re likely wondering what the process will consist of and what you can expect during treatment.
What is The Best Physical Therapy for Shoulder Pain?
- RICE Therapy
- Strengthening Exercises
- Stretching
- Hands-On Therapy
- Ultrasound Therapy
RICE Therapy
One of the most common therapies for shoulder pain is the RICE method. This method consists of Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Ice is used to reduce swelling and inflammation in injuries. Ice paired with rest, compression, and elevation can reduce the amount of pain felt in the shoulder.
Strengthening
During your physical therapy session for shoulder pain, your therapist will show you how to perform strengthening exercises. This will help to reduce pain and strengthen the muscles surrounding your shoulder. The idea behind strengthening your shoulder is to prevent the injury from occurring again in the future.
Stretching
Stretching is seen a lot during physical therapy for shoulder pain. The reason is that stretching helps to push your muscles towards regaining their full range of motion. It also helps improve flexibility and mobility in the arm. Depending on the extent of your injury, your physical therapist may include stretches that target parts of your spine and neck too.
Hands-On Therapy
As the name suggests, hands-on therapy involves your physical therapist using their hands to relax parts of your shoulder. They may also apply pressure to parts of your shoulder to reach the deep tissue and help it regain mobility. Hands-on therapy can also reveal and pinpoint specific areas of pain, so your physical therapist knows where needs the most help.
Ultrasound Therapy
Not to be confused with a traditional ultrasound, ultrasound therapy is when the muscles, tendons, and tissue of your shoulder are subject to a session of deep heating. This type of therapy works to send heat deep into the tissue, which stimulates circulation, improves the elasticity of your muscles, and heals tissue. Ultrasound therapy is typically performed for about five to ten minutes throughout six to twelve sessions.
Receive Physical Therapy for Shoulder Pain at AllCure
If you’ve been experiencing shoulder pain recently, there’s no need for you to suffer. Our physical therapists at AllCure are ready to help you recover from your shoulder pain and prescribe the right kind of physical therapy.
We will work with you to create a treatment plan that will have you feeling pain-free once again. To find out more about shoulder physical therapy services, submit an online contact form to schedule a free consultation.