SHOULDER PAIN PHYSIOTHERAPY EDMONTON
Do you feel pain in your shoulder? Come down to In Step Physical Therapy to get the relief you need.
According to statistics, 18% to 26% of adults usually complain of this condition. When a patient is suffering from this condition, common symptoms like restricted motion, and discomfort can be felt within the joints. So, if you are having an issue with your shoulder do not be scared because we can help you out!!! Physiotherapy care can help relieve shoulder pain.
Different factors can cause pain around the shoulder. However, these factors can build up short and long-term discomfort depending on the severity. Sometimes, it can develop from certain activities such as stretching to take an item from a shelf above your height or maybe from injury. When this occurs, your shoulder may look stiff, and you might feel some dull aching sensation around that region of your body.
Whichever form of pain you may suffer from around your shoulder, shoulder pain physiotherapy in Edmonton can help you alleviate the pain as soon as possible. In Step Physical Therapy is the best physiotherapy clinic in Edmonton. So if you would love to meet with our pain management therapist, contact us to schedule an appointment. We will provide you with the best solution suitable for your condition and entire health so as to get you physically, socially, and mentally fit as well as comfortable.
What should I know about the shoulder?
The shoulder is a primary part of the human body comprised of tendons, muscles, and ligaments. The major function of the shoulder is to help us participate easily in everyday activities without encountering a high level of discomfort.
The shoulder is made up of a complex structural and musculoskeletal system. It primarily comprises three major bones, humerus, scapula, and clavicle. These bones are attached to a vast array of muscles and ligaments.
In a complex view of the shoulder, there consist of three separate joints, which are the acromioclavicular joint(found between the clavicle and scapula), sternoclavicular joint(found between the sternum and clavicle), and glenohumeral joint(located between the humerus and glenoid cavity of the scapula). With these joints at the shoulder, performing a varying degree of movement with your arm or upper limb is highly possible. The most functional joint used for almost every movement is the glenohumeral joint. In addition, the shoulder bone and joint, which stands as a structural connector between the torso and arm, is also significantly responsible for stability and strength in the upper extremities.
At this part of the body, the musculoskeletal system aids its optimal functioning. For instance, the tendons around the rotator cuff muscles wrap the joints to form a natural improvised capsule to improve stability and lower the possibility of injury. Also, the occurrence of bone-to-bone contact between the labrum and ligaments is minimal to avoid excess movement.
As a result of the frequent mobility at the shoulder due to activities like sport, one can highly be prone to shoulder pain or injuries. Even as we age, you can fall victim to shoulder problems due to degenerative changes. Some of the common shoulder conditions that can limit a patient’s productivity and independent functionality include dislocations, rotator cuff damage, and arthritis in some cases. In order not to suffer from reoccurring shoulder pain, visit our physiotherapist here in Edmonton. They will help you prevent shoulder pain and live a pain-free and comfortable life.
We also provide sports physiotherapy in Edmonton for sportspersons who are suffering from shoulder pain and other problems.
Causes of shoulder pain
Due to the complex structure of the shoulder, the causes of shoulder pain is tough to identify as a human. But a physiotherapist will evaluate your condition effectively to identify the cause and treat. Different conditions can result in both acute and chronic pain in the shoulder. Some of the most recorded causes include;
Rotator cuff tear
A rotator cuff is a group of muscles, tendons, and soft tissues that helps provide support to stabilize the shoulder. Whenever movement occurs at the shoulder, the rotator cuff acts as a compressive cuff to ensure the shoulder joint gets in contact and moves in its expected direction.
There are four muscles in the rotator cuff; this includes there’s minor, supraspinatus, subscapularis, and infraspinatus. When a tear happens at one of these muscles, a rotator cuff tear occurs. In most cases, it is due to the disproportionate impact of stress and repetitive microtrauma injuries. Some activities like falling on the arm and lifting heavy equipment can result in this condition. Regardless of your condition, physical therapy can help you eradicate the pain as well as strengthen rotator cuff muscles. In cases where surgery is necessary, physiotherapy can aid your recovery process through pre and post-recovery therapy.
Adhesive Capsulitis
When a patient suffers from adhesive capsulitis, the shoulders capsule joint undergoes an auto-immune reaction resulting in stiffness and inflammation around the acromioclavicular and glenohumeral joints. This is commonly referred to as a frozen shoulder. This is most common to patients who had their arm in a cast due to injury or perhaps bedridden for a long duration. However, this is common to women within the age range of 40-60 years. Through a physiotherapy regimen, this condition can be resolved perfectly well.
Tendinitis
When the tendons in the upper arm and shoulder are overloaded beyond their limits, inflammation, increased friction, and irritation occurs, leading to tendonitis. This is very common to people who frequently lift heavyweight objects. This is also known as tendinopathy.
Arthritis
This is mostly due to age, excessive overuse, or immune system attack on the membrane. When this condition happens, inflammation, pain, decreased motion range, muscles weakness around the shoulder, and incapability to perform certain tasks occur. It is highly advisable to visit our physiotherapist immediately if you notice this. They will help you identify whether it is rheumatoid or osteoarthritis arthritis you are suffering from before recommending a treatment plan.
Shoulder impingement
Our shoulder pain physiotherapy in Edmonton will help your Shoulder impingement conditions. Shoulder impingement causes the bursae and muscles to be pinched, leading to sharp pain when the arm is above the head. In most cases, loss of range motion, development of rotator cuff dysfunction, wear out of the tissues, or shoulder bursitis can occur.
Shoulder dislocation
Shoulder dislocation happens when an excessive force is applied to the shoulder. When this occurs, a physiotherapy regimen can be an effective treatment to help relocate the affected joint as well as examine the nerves and muscles. During the rehabilitation process, strengthening and stabilization exercises will be introduced to help enhance the musculoskeletal system around that particular joint.
Shoulder pain due to neck problem
About 50% of shoulder problems result from irritation and compression of the nerves around the neck. You will feel pain and stiffness around the neck and upper extremities when this happens. However, a reliable solution to address this condition is physiotherapy.
How can physical therapy at Edmonton help relieve my shoulder pain?
At In Step Physical Therapy, our team of shoulder pain physical therapy specialists can help you eliminate any pain around your shoulder and achieve your personal goals. When you opt for physiotherapy care for your shoulder and upper extremities, our well-trained therapist will use personalized treatment to help address your problem.
The physiotherapist will focus on curtailing your pain using different therapeutic modalities such as dry needling and acupuncture during this session. Also, hands-on techniques and specific exercises will be introduced to aid your treatment process. Participating actively in this care will help increase your motion range, enhance your mobility, improve your strength, and normalize your muscle imbalances.
Depending on your condition, other treatments such as soft tissue release, massage therapy, and orthotics may be introduced. In a situation a patient does not respond to treatment, we recommend additional assessment on your hip from a trusted healthcare professional or provider.
After a complete recovery, your physiotherapist will educate you on some in-home techniques or approaches that can be adopted to address shoulder pain either sooner or in the future.
Our Shoulder pain physiotherapy treatment in Edmonton will help you live a peaceful and much easier life. With our therapist you can enjoy your life fully as possible.
Treatment for Shoulder pain
If you are suffering from any injury or pain around your shoulder, physiotherapy treatment for shoulder pain can help you lessen your pain and fasten your recovery process. When you arrive for your first physical therapy at our clinic, our physiotherapists will commence an assessment session. This assessment session requires your physiotherapist to obtain necessary information about your health condition, symptoms, medical history, and other health factors that may cause your present problem.
After satisfying all necessary medical assessments, your physiotherapy will create a personalized treatment plan. The plan contains information on all rehabilitation programs needed to achieve your goal within an expected timeframe as well as return back to your normal activities. Your rehabilitation program may comprise;
- Joint mobilization (Mobilizations of the thoracic spine and scapula)
- Dry needling
- Taping or brace support
- Manual therapy
- Consultation session
- Exercises
- Education
- Stabilization training
- Ice or heat treatment
- Posture training
- Mobility and strengthening training
- Motion range training of the shoulder joint
- Pectoralis stretches
However, you must know that depending on your condition, assessment outcome, and preference determines the type of rehabilitation programs that will be included in your plan.
How can I develop shoulder pain?
Your shoulder is a complex structure with several musculoskeletal systems. The presence of a ball and socket joint makes the shoulder have a large motion range, flexibility, and capability.
Due to this range of capability, usefulness, and structural complexities, injury is possible, which can cause pain and discomfort towards the shoulder. Shoulder problems can develop from various factors. In some cases, it can result from stress, overuse, poor posture, and injury. Also, specific activities you engage in, age, and degenerative changes can as well lead to shoulder pain which may range from mild to chronic pain, stiffness, and decrease in productivity or physical capability.
Do you want to make your shoulder pain a story of the past? Get in touch with In Step Physical Therapy today.
Are you scared your pain might affect your livelihood or bothered about finding the best physiotherapy clinic near you in Edmonton? We got your cover!!!
If you are experiencing shoulder pain and live in downtown Edmonton or close by, our clinic door is always open to help you. Meet with the best physiotherapists in downtown Edmonton to assess your condition and administer an effective treatment tailored to address your needs and achieve your personal goals.
Get the right regimen to a pain-free body today by Contacting In Step Physical Therapy to schedule an appointment. We will help you get back on track and lower the possibility of a future re-occurrence.
IMS is a needling technique that helps to reduce adverse tone in tight muscle bands or trigger points that contribute to pain and dysfunction. By targeting localized areas of tightness with the needle insertion a reflex relaxation is produced in the muscle. This helps to relieve pressure on tender joint structures and in the muscles themselves which in turn influences pain and inflammation produced by the adverse tightness. The points are chosen by the certified therapist by conducting a neuropathic assessment. It is a dry needling treatment, meaning that nothing is injected. The needles used are similar to those of acupuncture. The average number of sessions required to create a sustained benefit is 7 to 8 sessions at a frequency of once a week.
Therapeutic Massage therapy.
Active Release Therapy {ART}
Occupational therapy
Manual Therapy & Myofascial Release. {MFR}
Spinal Manipulations.
Intra Muscular Stimulation [ IMS]
Exercise therapy involves eliciting motion of the body or its parts in order to relieve symptoms and improve function. Specific stretching, strengthening, and stabilization exercises are a critical part of the rehabilitation process for most musculoskeletal injuries. Continued exercise is an important component of injury prevention.
Taping and bracing injured joints and body parts protects those areas from further re-injury and allows for an earlier return to activity. It also can supply support to an area, which will allow muscles, which have tightened or sprained to relax thus facilitating an earlier return of motion.
Electrotherapy treatments including;
- Ultrasound
- Interferential (IFC)
- Transcutaneous Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
- Neuro-muscular electrical nerve stimulation (NMES)
Acupuncture needles are most often inserted at specific locations on the skin called acupuncture points. These points are located on specific lines outlined by tradition, referred to as meridians or channels. According to Chinese medical theory, there are 14 major meridians that form an invisible network connecting the body surface with the internal organs. These pathways are believed to be energy channels through which energy flows through the body.
Acupuncture works by restoring the normal energy balance within the body therefore allowing natural healing to occur. The insertion of the fine needle into the tissues also releases endorphins. Endorphins are made by the body and are one of the body’s own natural pain relieving chemicals. These endorphins block the passage of pain signals to the brain and therefore help to relieve or reduce pain within the body. When pain is reduced, the body can then restore normal biochemical balance and promote healing.
The physiotherapists who perform Acupuncture at our Clinic are certified through the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute. They are also registered with Physiotherapy Alberta College+ Association to perform acupuncture and are actively on the Acupuncture Needling Roster.
- Total hip replacement
- Total knee replacement
- Open & Arthroscopic surgeries of all joints.
- Carpal Tunnel syndrome
- Tendon transfer.
Spinal manipulation is a therapeutic intervention performed on spinal articulations which are synovial joints. It’s designed to relieve pressure on joints, reduce inflammation, and improve nerve function. It’s often used to treat back, neck, peripheral joints and headache pain.
In spinal manipulation, the practitioner uses their hands to apply a controlled, sudden force to a specific joint. Patients often hear popping noises, like when you crack your knuckles
The effects of spinal manipulation have been shown to include:
- Temporary relief of musculoskeletal pain
- Shortened time to recover from acute back pain
- Temporary increase in passive range of motion
- Physiological effects on the central nervous system (specifically the sympathetic nervous system)
- Altered sensorimotor integration
- No alteration of the position of the sacroiliac joint
Common side effects of spinal manipulation are characterized as mild to moderate and may include: local discomfort, headache, tiredness, or radiating discomfort
