Shoulder Pain

Don’t let shoulder pain keep you from doing the things you love

Shoulder pain can impact everything from reaching for a shelf to holding a loved one close. Whether caused by overuse, injury, or postural imbalances, persistent discomfort in the shoulder can limit your mobility and chip away at your quality of life. At Embody Health & Wellness, we take a comprehensive approach — assessing not only the joint itself but the entire kinetic chain and your daily movement patterns. Our personalized treatment plans may include manual therapy, myofascial decompression, neuromuscular re-education, and targeted strengthening. Our goal is to restore stability, reduce pain, and help you return to the activities that bring you joy.

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Learn more about Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain is a prevalent issue that can significantly impact your daily life and activities. At Dr. Megan Mullin Physical Therapy, we believe in empowering our patients with knowledge about the potential causes of shoulder pain. Understanding these common causes can help you make informed decisions about your health and seek appropriate treatment. Below are some of the most frequent culprits behind shoulder pain:

1. Rotator Cuff Injuries: The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint, providing stability and facilitating movement. Injuries to the rotator cuff, such as tears, strains, or tendonitis, are common causes of shoulder pain. These injuries can occur due to repetitive overhead motions, trauma from falls or accidents, or degenerative changes over time. Rotator cuff injuries often result in pain, weakness, and limited range of motion in the shoulder.

2. Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis): Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition characterized by stiffness, pain, and limited mobility in the shoulder joint. The capsule surrounding the shoulder joint becomes thickened and tight, restricting movement and causing discomfort. Frozen shoulder can develop gradually over time, with symptoms worsening over several months. Factors such as immobility, injury, or certain medical conditions may contribute to the development of frozen shoulder.

3. Tendonitis: Tendonitis refers to inflammation of the tendons surrounding the shoulder joint, commonly affecting the biceps tendon or the tendons of the rotator cuff. Overuse, repetitive motions, or sudden increases in activity levels can lead to tendonitis. Symptoms of tendonitis may include pain, swelling, and tenderness around the shoulder, particularly with movement or pressure. Without proper treatment, tendonitis can worsen and lead to more severe complications.

4. Arthritis: Arthritis is a degenerative condition that can affect the shoulder joint, leading to chronic pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other forms of arthritis can cause damage to the cartilage, resulting in joint inflammation and deterioration over time. Arthritis-related shoulder pain often worsens with activity and may be accompanied by swelling and joint stiffness. Managing arthritis-related shoulder pain requires a comprehensive treatment approach to alleviate symptoms and improve joint function.

Understanding the underlying cause of your shoulder pain is essential for effective treatment and long-term relief. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with Dr. Megan Mullin Physical Therapy for a thorough evaluation and personalized treatment plan. Our experienced team is dedicated to helping you overcome shoulder pain and regain optimal function, allowing you to live life to the fullest.

We believe in taking a comprehensive and personalized approach to treating shoulder pain. Our experienced team of physical therapists is dedicated to helping you find relief, regain mobility, and improve your quality of life. Learn how physical therapy can be an effective solution for managing shoulder pain and restoring optimal function.

Customized Treatment Plans

We’ll start by conducting a thorough evaluation to assess your condition, identify the underlying causes of your pain, and determine the best course of treatment. We understand that every patient is unique, which is why we create customized treatment plans tailored to your specific needs, goals, and lifestyle.

Hands-On Techniques

Our skilled physical therapists utilize a variety of hands-on techniques to address shoulder pain and promote healing. Manual therapy techniques such as joint mobilizations, soft tissue massage, and stretching can help alleviate muscle tension, improve joint mobility, and reduce pain. These techniques are performed in conjunction with therapeutic exercises to optimize your recovery and restore optimal function to your shoulder.

Therapeutic Exercises

Exercise is a cornerstone of shoulder pain treatment, helping to strengthen the muscles surrounding the shoulder joint, improve flexibility, and restore proper movement patterns. Our physical therapists will design a personalized exercise program tailored to your individual needs and goals. These exercises may include range of motion exercises, strengthening exercises for the rotator cuff and shoulder stabilizers, and functional activities to simulate real-life movements. By gradually increasing the intensity and complexity of your exercises, we can help you regain strength and function in your shoulder while minimizing the risk of re-injury.

Education and Self-Management Strategies

We believe in empowering our patients with knowledge about their condition and teaching them self-management strategies to prevent future injuries and maintain optimal shoulder health. Our physical therapists will educate you about proper body mechanics, ergonomics, and injury prevention techniques, empowering you to take an active role in your recovery and long-term wellness.

Modalities and Additional Treatments

In addition to manual therapy and therapeutic exercises, we may incorporate modalities such as heat, ice, ultrasound, or electrical stimulation into your treatment plan to manage pain, reduce inflammation, and promote tissue healing. These modalities can provide additional relief from discomfort and complement the effectiveness of other therapeutic interventions.

Shoulder pain can significantly impact your quality of life, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks, participate in physical activities, and enjoy life to the fullest. At Dr. Megan Mullin Physical Therapy, we believe in the power of physical therapy to effectively manage shoulder pain and improve overall function. Discover the numerous benefits of choosing physical therapy as a solution for shoulder pain relief and recovery.

1. Pain Relief

One of the primary goals of physical therapy for shoulder pain is to alleviate discomfort and reduce pain. Our skilled physical therapists utilize a variety of techniques, including manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, and modalities, to target the root cause of your pain and provide relief. By addressing muscular imbalances, reducing inflammation, and promoting tissue healing, we can help you experience significant pain reduction and improve your overall comfort level.

2. Improved Mobility and Functionality

Shoulder pain can limit your range of motion and hinder your ability to perform everyday activities. Physical therapy aims to restore optimal mobility and functionality to the shoulder joint, allowing you to move more freely and perform tasks with greater ease. Through targeted exercises, hands-on techniques, and postural correction strategies, we can help you regain strength, flexibility, and stability in your shoulder, enabling you to resume your normal activities and enjoy a more active lifestyle.

3. Prevention of Future Injuries

Physical therapy not only treats existing shoulder pain but also helps prevent future injuries and flare-ups. Our experienced physical therapists will assess your movement patterns, identify areas of weakness or dysfunction, and provide you with personalized exercise programs and injury prevention strategies. By improving your posture, strengthening the muscles surrounding the shoulder joint, and educating you about proper body mechanics, we empower you to reduce your risk of re-injury and maintain optimal shoulder health in the long term.

4. Conservative Approach to Treatment

Physical therapy offers a conservative and non-invasive approach to treating shoulder pain, minimizing the need for medication or surgical intervention. By addressing the underlying causes of your pain and dysfunction through hands-on techniques, therapeutic exercises, and patient education, we can help you achieve meaningful improvements in your shoulder health without resorting to more invasive treatments. This approach is not only effective but also safer and more cost-effective in the long run.

5. Personalized Care and Support

At Dr. Megan Mullin Physical Therapy, we pride ourselves on providing personalized care and support to each of our patients. Our experienced physical therapists will work closely with you to understand your unique needs, goals, and concerns and develop a customized treatment plan tailored to your individual circumstances. We are committed to guiding you through every step of your recovery journey, providing encouragement, motivation, and support along the way.

Experience the Benefits of Physical Therapy for Shoulder Pain

Don’t let shoulder pain hold you back from living your life to the fullest. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Megan Mullin Physical Therapy today and experience the numerous benefits of physical therapy for shoulder pain relief and recovery. Our dedicated team is here to help you overcome shoulder pain, improve your quality of life, and achieve your goals. Let us be your partner in health and wellness.

I developed a lower back problem from January 2024 after taking an adult beginning ballet class and thought I just had to live with it. By October 2024, just reaching down to put away dishes in the dishwasher created sharp pain. On a whim I decided to stop by and see if physical therapy could do anything. After just two weeks of seeing Dr. Erica I can see significant improvement. And after 4 sessions, I had no more lower back problem. I was amazed and so thankful. I didn’t know about physical therapy and what it can do. I’m so thankful. I’m active again. Now Dr. Erica is helping me with my goal of running. It’s always been hard for me to run and through physical therapy I’m learning how to run and it’s becoming easier. I hope to run in races soon.appreciate that the program I was out on was a collaboration between my needs and the expertise of the staff.

– J. Pennelly

Take the Next Step

Wherever you are in your healing journey, we’re here to walk alongside you. Whether you have questions, want to learn more, or are ready to begin care, our team is just a call or message away. Reach out when you’re ready — we’d love to connect and help you take the next step toward feeling better in your body.

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