Coping with Chronic Shoulder Pain
Don’t Let Chronic Shoulder Pain Take Over Any Longer
Chronic shoulder pain, a common complaint affecting many Canadians, can significantly impact daily life, whether caused by injuries like rotator cuff tears and conditions like osteoarthritis. While prevalence rates are difficult to pinpoint due to the varied causes, evidence-based research consistently highlights therapeutic exercise as an effective way to manage this pain. Guided by a physiotherapist, targeted shoulder pain exercises can reduce discomfort, restore mobility, and ultimately help improve your overall quality of life.
Our team of physiotherapists can create a personalized exercise program tailored to your specific needs and goals, ensuring you see optimal results.
Common Types of Chronic Shoulder Pain
Before addressing chronic shoulder pain, it’s crucial to understand its underlying cause. Your shoulder is a complex joint capable of a wide range of movements, but this complexity also makes it susceptible to various issues.
Experts generally categorize shoulder pain into four broad categories:
Tendinopathy
- This encompasses any problems with your tendons, including inflammation (tendonitis) or tears. It is associated with overuse in and around the tendons and is characterized by pain and reduced function.
Arthritis
- This refers to several conditions causing joint inflammation. Osteoarthritis is the most common type affecting the shoulder, leading to pain, stiffness, and swelling.
Dislocation
- This occurs when the ball of your shoulder joint slips out of its socket, often due to stretched or torn soft tissues.
Fracture
- Broken bones in the collarbone, upper arm, or shoulder blade will undoubtedly cause shoulder pain. While our physiotherapists cannot treat a fracture directly, we can help you rehabilitate after the bone heals.
Chronic Shoulder Pain Treatment at Momentum Health
Research consistently demonstrates that therapeutic exercise is one of the most effective ways to address chronic shoulder pain and stiffness. While some conditions may require surgical intervention, many can be managed through non-invasive measures like physiotherapy and exercise, providing you with the relief you need without undergoing a risky procedure.
When you visit Momentum Health for treatment, we’ll develop a personalized exercise program based on your specific condition, symptoms, and abilities. These programs are progressive, starting with gentle movements and gradually increasing intensity as you improve.
Our chronic shoulder pain rehabilitation exercise program focuses on two key aspects:
Strength
- Strong muscles contribute to a strong shoulder joint. By strengthening the muscles in your upper back, shoulder, and upper arm, you provide essential support and stability to the joint itself, aiding in pain relief and injury prevention.
Stretching and Mobility Work
- Increasing shoulder flexibility and range of motion is equally important. We’ll guide you through stretches to perform after your workout.
Our clinicians tailor each treatment program to the individual patient.
However, here are a few examples of shoulder exercises we may recommend:
Pendulum Exercises
- These gentle exercises involve swinging your arm in various directions to promote mobility.
Passive Rotations
- Using a light stick, these exercises help you passively stretch your shoulder.
Standing Row
- This exercise uses resistance bands to strengthen your shoulder and upper back muscles.
Internal and External Rotations
- These exercises can be modified with free weights as you progress, targeting specific shoulder muscles.
These exercises are most effective when integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan. To receive a personalized program and expert guidance, schedule an appointment with our Calgary clinic today!
Contact Momentum Health Today To Begin
These exercises are most effective when integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan. Contact us today to make an appointment and start saying goodbye to your chronic shoulder pain. We’ll design a personalized plan to help you recover with strength and improved mobility.
Remember, you’re in good hands with Momentum Health’s multidisciplinary team, where experienced team members from various specialties work together to provide comprehensive care tailored to your needs.
Interested in Additional Resources? Check These Out!
Impact of Overhead Sports on Your Shoulders by Carlee Anderson, PT
Frozen Shoulder Video by Dr. Denis Simons, DC, Chiropractor at Momentum Health in Westbrook
Explanation of Shoulder Separation Video by Dr. Cory Wowk
Shoulder Exercise Series by our Team at Momentum Health in Deerfoot