Does your injured shoulder cause you considerable pain or discomfort? Are you so used to your shoulder injury that you barely notice it anymore?

In this blog, we’re going to explore what causes shoulder pain and how to get relief. We’ll talk about the best treatments for your shoulder injury, including surgery and physical therapy.

Find out why you’re living with shoulder pain and what you can do. If any of these sound like your issue, keep reading!

What causes an injured shoulder?

Frozen shoulder – pain and stiffness in shoulder which, over time, makes it difficult to move your shoulder.
Impingement
Dislocation/Shoulder instability – bruising and swelling while feeling intense pain. Also, you the shoulder looks out of place.
Rotator Cuff Tear – shoulder pain and weakness caused by a tear in tissues which connect muscle to tendons in your shoulder joint.
Ligament Tear – pain, loss in your range of motion
Labral Tear – cartilage which helps keep the ball of the shoulder joint in place. Causes pain and instability.
Sprains/Strains
Thoracic outlet syndrome – compression of nerves of blood vessels between collarbone and first rib. Causes shoulder/neck pain, numbness, weakness or cold fingers.

What is the difference between rotator cuff and shoulder joint pain?

Rotator cuff pain starts when the Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres Minor, or Subscapularis muscles/tendons are affected. This pain can be caused by trauma or overuse.

Shoulder joint pain is present when a structural issue affects the normal movement of the glenohumeral joint and/or neighboring joints.

I was sent after shoulder (surgery) by Dr Holt. This place is not a PT mill. They take special interest in each patient and bring a multitude of modalities to the process. I couldn’t be more pleased – Jeff Barnett

How do you know if it’s a rotator cuff or joint issue?

In order to correctly diagnose and distinguish a rotator cuff or joint issue, you should seek evaluation from a medical professional.

The professional can determine if you need further imaging in order to diagnose your symptoms correctly.

What can you do to relieve injured shoulder pain?

If a recent shoulder trauma causes you pain, you should ice and rest the shoulder.

Once the initial inflammation has subsided, it is very important to focus on gentle range of motion and stretching in the affected shoulder.

After range of motion restoration, the completion of a well-balance strengthening program improves the affected shoulder’s stability.

Do you have questions about your first visit or insurance? You can schedule an appointment by calling or completing our HIPAA compliant appointment form