Shoulder tenderness or pain can be caused by a variety of factors, among them tendonitis. If you play sports or engage in activities that constantly use your shoulder, you may occasionally deal with such symptoms. Physical therapy and exercise may help relieve pain and stiffness while strengthening the joint, but discuss your options with your doctor or therapist before engaging in range-of-motion or strengthening exercises.
Description
Shoulder tendonitis is a condition resulting from inflammation in the shoulder joint caused by swelling or irritation of the bursa. Bursa in the shoulder joint cushions several tendons that attach muscles from the upper arm and the rotator cuff to the joint. Overuse or repetitive motion, such as pitching a baseball, golfing or overhand tennis strokes, may irritate the bursa, leading to periods of inflammation that cause pain, stiffness and limited range of motion.
Range of Motion
Range-of-motion exercises, known as ROM, are performed under the supervision of your physical therapist and often help relieve pain and stiffness and improve joint function and stability. Two types of rehab may be recommended, depending on the severity of your injury. Range-of-motion exercises performed by your physical therapist are called passive, while those you perform yourself are called active.
PROM
Passive range-of-motion exercises to the shoulder are done by someone else, preferably your therapist. One example of a PROM exercise for the shoulder is to lie on a table. Your therapist grasps your injured arm above the elbow and at the wrist. Starting with your arm down by your side, your therapist will lift your arm over your chest and extend your arm above your head over your shoulder, or to the point where you feel discomfort. Inward and outward shoulder rotations may also be performed.
Active ROM
You can do range-of-motion exercises yourself with your doctor's or therapist's approval and guidance. For example, lie face down on a bench or table, allowing your injured arm to hang over the side. Slowly swing your arm up and down like a pendulum, only going as far as you can in either direction without causing pain. As your shoulder heals and grows stronger, gradually increase the arc of your arm, aiming for 45 degrees. You may only be able to perform a few swings when starting out. Don't push your shoulder to the point of pain, which may cause further injury to the shoulder joint.
