Physical Therapy for Shoulder Pain

Whether you’re experiencing shoulder pain from an injury, tendinitis, arthritis, or a muscle tear, it’s certainly no fun. Our shoulder joints are made up of three sections that offer us the most range of motion out of all of our joints. It’s no wonder then that shoulder pain and injuries are as common as they are. We see well over 100 post-operative shoulder patients every year. Patients visit us for rehabilitation after surgery for rotator cuff repairs, anatomic shoulder replacements, reverse shoulder replacements, anterior and posterior stabilization surgery, and the most complex shoulder fracture care. How can physical therapy reduce shoulder pain? How can physical therapy treat a rotator cuff injury? Find out now.

Causes of Shoulder Pain

A carefully assembled physical therapy plan is the first form of treatment for shoulder pain or rotator cuff injuries. The first stage to assembling a therapy program is understanding the root of your symptoms. The most common reasons for shoulder pain have to do with swelling or damage to the rotator cuff. Some common causes of shoulder pain are rotator cuff tendinitis, arthritis, dislocation, rotator cuff tears, poor posture, and more.

Your physical therapist will start by conducting a thorough assessment to understand exactly where your pain is radiating from. The pain you’re experiencing in your shoulder could actually be caused by a problem with your neck or lungs. It’s important for a licensed professional to examine your shoulder to assess which part of the shoulder is experiencing pain, what motions you’re struggling to perform, and where your shoulder might be lacking strength.
Sudden left shoulder pain can be a sign of a heart attack. If you feel a crushing pain running from your chest to the left jaw or arm, potentially accompanied by shortness of breath, please call
.Treatment for Shoulder Pain

Your Physical Therapist will examine your shoulder’s functionality and combine those findings with your individual goals to create a tailored therapy program. They’ll put together a plan that focuses on strengthening the muscles around your shoulder and improving mobility. Physical therapy is a safe, effective, non-surgical method for treating shoulder pain or rotator cuff injuries. Since physical therapy is based on a combination of stretches, exercises, and ingraining healthy postural habits, it’s effective for preventing further pain as well. The exact exercises and whether they will include other parts of the body depends on the cause of shoulder pain, as well as other patient circumstances.


Physical therapy for shoulder pain will typically include:

• Stretches designed to train & control the muscles attached to the shoulder.
• Exercises designed to strengthen the rotator cuff and scapular muscles.
• Hands-on physical therapy and treatments such as Blood Flow Restriction Therapy.
• Carefully crafted home exercise program.

found that 75% of people with a full tear in their rotator cuff were able to rehab their shoulder wit
Why Visit a Physical Therapist for Shoulder Pain?

Your physical therapist is there to help you master your technique. With improper form, the same exercises that are designed to heal you could actually harm you. By using the wrong muscles, favoring one side of the body, or improperly balancing your weight, such exercises can have a completely different effect on your body. Your physical therapist is there to guide you every step of the way. An experienced physical therapist knows exactly what questions to ask and signs to look for, indicating you’re executing the exercise properly.
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What can physical therapy do for shoulder pain?

• Increase range of motion
• Improve posture & balance
• Prevent recurring pain or worsening pain
• Reduce pain or stiffness of the shoulders