Now-and-then shoulder aches are a normal part of everyday life, especially as you age. But sometimes that pain persists. You may assume it will just go away on its own with time, but when that discomfort starts to interfere with daily tasks or affects your sleep quality, it’s time to seek help from a physical therapist in Metro Detroit.
It’s never a good idea to ignore nagging shoulder discomfort, as it will just progress and worsen. Get it treated now while the issue is easily corrected, and before more drastic measures need to be taken. Today, we’ll take a look at when you should book an appointment with a Michigan physical therapist.
Why Does Shoulder Pain Persist?
A complex joint, the shoulder has a lot of moving parts, from bones and muscles to tendons and surrounding structures. They all work together to provide your shoulder with a wide range of motion. Lingering pain can result from problems such as:
- Rotator cuff tears or inflammation
- Tendonitis
- Impingement
- Bursitis
- Postural issues
You can try waiting and resting the shoulder for a bit to see if the pain improves. However, the pain will often return or worsen when you resume regular activities. That’s why evaluation by a physical therapist in Metro Detroit is so important. The earlier you begin treatment, the better the chance of avoiding more concerning issues.
When to Call a Physical Therapist
Here are some signs that you should seek professional help for your shoulder pain:
- The pain has been going on for a few days or weeks without improvement.
- You cannot raise your arm over your head, reach behind your back, or do simple tasks such as getting dressed or styling your hair.
- The pain is getting worse, spreading, or is accompanied by weakness or numbness in the arm.
- Your shoulder pain is due to injury, such as a fall, heavy lifting, an accident, or overhead sports, and the shoulder has not returned to baseline.
- You start to modify your lifestyle and avoid activities you used to enjoy to accommodate the pain.
- The shoulder pain has caused you to adopt awkward positions or movements.
To prevent further damage to the joint and resume normal activities, a visit to a physical therapist is necessary.
Physical Therapy: What to Expect
Here’s a look at how the general process works:
- Evaluation: Your physical therapist in Metro Detroit will review your medical history, ask when the pain started, and then examine your shoulder’s range of motion, strength, and posture.
- Diagnosis and plan: Your therapist will then come up with a customized treatment plan that includes manual techniques, joint mobilizations, posture correction, strengthening, and stretching, as well as a home exercise program.
- Treatment and progression: As you start to feel better, your plan will evolve with your needs and goals. The purpose of physical therapy isn’t just to relieve pain; it’s to restore mobility, prevent recurrence, address underlying causes, and ensure you return to full function.
- Prevention: Physical therapy is valuable because it helps patients avoid the need for invasive surgery, as it determines and treats the root cause.
In a nutshell, it’s time to reach out to a therapist if your shoulder problem still lingers and affects your ability to live a pain-free life.
Contact Specialty Physical Therapy
Our licensed physical therapists can provide an initial evaluation of your shoulder pain, create a personalized plan, and offer dedicated, consistent support so you can return to normal activities. Visit Specialty Physical Therapy at one of our convenient locations to schedule your consultation.