Having a shoulder problem can make performing tasks like lifting, reaching, grooming, writing and driving painful, and in some cases, even impossible. Common causes of shoulder problems include sprains, fractures, frozen shoulder, arthritis, rotator cuff problems, dislocations, bad posture, excessive use and muscle weakness. If you suffer from shoulder pain or discomfort, your doctor may recommend physical therapy. Physical therapy is often an effective way to help restore strength, range of motion, flexibility and function to an injured shoulder.
Shoulder Strengthening Exercises
Shoulder problems often lead to lack of use, which in turn can further weaken your shoulder muscles. As a result, most physical therapy programs will incorporate some shoulder strengthening exercises into your treatment plan. Common shoulder strengthening exercises include shoulder pressups, wall pushups and shoulder blade squeezes. Shoulder pressups involve sitting in a chair and using your arms to lift your body off of the chair. Wall pushups involve standing up facing a wall and using your hands to do pushups on the wall. Shoulder blade squeezes involve bending your elbows while squeezing your shoulder blades together.
Shoulder Stretching Exercises
Some shoulder problems will tighten your shoulder muscles and reduce your range of motion. As a result, many physical therapy programs will also incorporate stretching exercises into your treatment plan to help improve your flexibility. Common shoulder stretching exercises include walkup exercises, shoulder internal rotations and arm raises. Walkup exercises involve standing in front of a wall and -- while keeping your elbows straight -- using your fingers to make a crawling motion up the wall as high up as you can comfortably reach. Shoulder internal rotation exercises involve holding your forearm with the opposite hand and pulling gently until you feel a slight stretch in your shoulder blade. Arm raises involve lying on your back, clasping your hands together and raising your arms above your head.
Complementary Treatments
In addition to shoulder strengthening and stretching exercises, your physical therapist may also treat your injured shoulder with complementary treatments like ultrasonic therapy or kinesio tape. Ultrasonic therapy involves using a device that creates high-frequency sound waves that send healing heat deep within the muscle tissue. Kinesio tape is a special skin-friendly adhesive tape that your physical therapist will use to tape your shoulder in place for added stability.
Safety Protocols
Physical therapists must exercise caution and follow the proper protocol when treating patients with shoulder problems. Your physical therapist will first conduct a thorough assessment of your shoulder. He or she will then determine which exercises and treatments will be both safe and effective for your specific condition. Assigning exercises that are not appropriate for your specific injury can cause further damage to your injured shoulder. Patients with swollen or irritated shoulders should not perform exercises like shoulder overhead presses, incline bench presses or lateral pulldowns behind the neck.
