Shoulder Impingement
Do you feel pain in your shoulder when you reach out for something or move your arm above your head? Or do you find it difficult to sleep at night because of your shoulder pain?
That pain might just be a result of shoulder impingement, and it is important to see a physical therapist right away. Call us today to request an appointment with one of our physical therapists.
Don’t take the risk by thinking your shoulder pain may go away on its own after a few days. Your pain may be a result of a deeper injury in your shoulder, and leaving it untreated will not only make it worse but hinder your everyday activities such as driving, reaching to a shelf, or opening a door.
By contacting a physical therapist, your shoulder is examined, and specific treatment plans are recommended for you right away. Getting treatment at the onset ensures your symptoms don’t get worse, and mobility and flexibility are restored to your shoulders.
What is Shoulder Impingement
Shoulder impingement is a common cause of shoulder pain, and it’s also known as swimmer’s shoulder or impingement syndrome.
It is common among swimmers and other athletes who use their shoulders a lot. It is thought to be 44%-65% of all shoulder pain complaints.
Shoulder Impingement occurs when your acromion, which is the top outer edge of your shoulder blade, rubs against your rotator cuff causing irritation and pain.
Your rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that attaches your shoulder to your arm bone (Humerus).
Your rotator cuff sits under the acromion. It helps you to raise your arm, and move it towards and away from your body.
Risk Factors for Shoulder Spain or Strain
A lot of factors can lead to a sprain or strain of the shoulder. They include:
- Your environment. Floors that are wet or slippery can lead to a fall, which could injure the shoulder
- Sports. athletes who play sports that require them to move their shoulders in a repetitive motion are more prone to sprain and strain
- Improper or lack of warming-up. It is important to warm up before and after exercises to prevent injury. Not doing this, or warming up incorrectly increases the chances for a tear.
- Fatigue. When you are tired, you are less likely to keep a good posture.
- Being out of shape. When you are out of shape and don’t exercise your muscles, ligaments grow weak.
Who Gets Shoulder Impingement?
Shoulder Impingement usually common with those engaged in sports and other activities that require overhead and forceful movements of their shoulders and arms.
Sports include:
Swimming
Baseball
Volleyball
Tennis
Basketball
Other activities would include:
Window washing
Painting
Construction work
Moving boxes
Weight lifting
Old people, or persons who have had a shoulder injury, are also at the risk of having shoulder impingement.
How is Shoulder Impingement Diagnosed?
Not all pains in your shoulder are shoulder impingement.
Therefore, a diagnosis is carried out to confirm that your shoulder pain is indeed shoulder impingement, and rule out conditions such as pinched nerve or arthritis.
Our Physical therapists are trained to pinpoint the exact cause of your shoulder pain using different diagnostic techniques. A PT may begin by asking you some questions about exercise habits, previous injuries, and what remedies you may have used to relieve the pain in the past.
They may proceed to do a physical examination on the shoulder, by asking you to do a series of motions with your shoulder to detect unusual movement.
You may also be required to undergo an X-ray examination or an MRI scan. Your doctor will see to this.
What Treatment is Available for Shoulder Impingement?
Depending on the degree of your shoulder infringement, different treatment plans are available.
Here at Polygon PT, we begin by focusing on restoring the normal motion to your shoulder.
We engage patients in stretching exercises that help to improve the range of motion of the shoulder. As we begin to see improvements, and as the pain subsides, we begin strengthening exercises to improve the rotator cuff muscles.
We also teach home care activities such as using ice on the affected area and avoiding activities that would cause pain.
Your PT will create a custom plan for you.
How Long Does it Take to Recover?
Depending on the degree of your shoulder infringement, different treatment plans are available.
Here at Polygon PT, we begin by focusing on restoring the normal motion to your shoulder.
We engage patients in stretching exercises that help to improve the range of motion of the shoulder. As we begin to see improvements, and as the pain subsides, we begin strengthening exercises to improve the rotator cuff muscles.
We also teach home care activities such as using ice on the affected area and avoiding activities that would cause pain.
Your PT will create a custom plan for you.
Get Started with Physical Therapy for your Shoulder Infringement Today
At Polygon PT, most patients have gotten relief from pain a few weeks after commencing physical therapy.
However, if you have already had shoulder surgery for your impingement, you still need physical therapy to restore motion to your shoulders quickly.
If you want to know how physical therapy can provide relief for your pain, Request an Appointment with us right away.
