How Does a Physiotherapist Help Shoulder Pain And Rotator Cuff Injuries?
How can physiotherapy help with shoulder pain?
If your doctor recommends physical therapy, your therapist will examine your strength and range of motion, check your functional abilities (like reaching up and behind your back), ask for your goals, and then come up with a personalized treatment plan to relieve your shoulder pain and restore your mobility.
Physical therapy for shoulder pain may include: stretching, strengthening, joint mobilization/stabilization. Heat, ice, ultrasound, electrical stimulation or athletic taping may also be part of your physical therapy program.
Your physical therapist can also give advice on activity modification and work-place ergonomics. Your physical therapist will also work with you to develop a comprehensive home exercise program that will help you maintain your quality of life beyond your therapy sessions.
What role does physical therapy play in injury to the rotator cuff?
While physical therapy itself cannot cure a torn rotator cuff tendon, it does strengthen the muscles of the shoulder and restore the mechanics of the shoulder. By strengthening all surrounding muscles, therapy can help to compensate for damaged tendons and improve the mechanics of the shoulder joint. It is also important for your physical therapist to focus on scapular strengthening, just as the scapula (the shoulder blade) provides the foundation for shoulder stability.
