A shoulder impingement injury is a common cause of shoulder pain. It occurs when tendons or muscles in the shoulder become caught on or rub against the shoulder bones. This causes pain and tenderness in the shoulder. You may find that you have a difficult time raising your arm over your head, and that your shoulder muscles feel very weak.

It is important to seek treatment for your shoulder impingement. If left untreated, shoulder impingement injuries can become worse, often leading to tendinitis and other conditions. If the affected tendon or muscle is put under too much stress, it can even tear.

How do I recover from a shoulder impingement?

Thankfully, most shoulder impingement injuries can be treated without surgery. In fact, many doctors recommend physical therapy over surgery or drugs for shoulder impingement recovery. Here are a few of the steps a licensed physical therapist may take to treat your shoulder impingement:

1. Screening — Before you begin your physical therapy journey, your physical therapist will discuss your history and examine your shoulder to locate the exact source of your pain. This will help them create a physical therapy plan best suited to your needs.

2. Exercises — Your physical therapist may guide you through exercises designed to ease your pain and restore flexibility to your shoulder. They can also instruct you in posture techniques that can prevent you from becoming injured in the future.

3. Dry needling — This form of therapy is intended to reduce pain, relieve muscle tension and help speed up recovery. It targets muscles that are tense and encourages them to loosen and relax. This can go a long way toward reducing your pain during your shoulder impingement recovery.

How can I get started with physical therapy for my shoulder impingement recovery?

At Rehab Access Physical Therapy, our team of licensed physical therapists are ready to put their years of training and experience to use. We will work with you to make a comprehensive treatment plan that can relieve your pain and return your shoulder’s full range of motion. We promise the highest standards of care during your shoulder impingement recovery, so that you can return to your daily activities without pain or worry.

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.