Are You Living With Shoulder Pain? Occupational Therapy Can Help You Return To Normal Life
Has shoulder pain changed the way you’re living your day to day life? There are a variety of causes for shoulder pain, and the intensity can range from the little discomfort of a torn muscle to the excruciating bone-on-bone friction of arthritis. It may be difficult to lift or extend to reach things on high shelves if you have this condition.
Whatever the cause of your shoulder pain, it’s likely that it’s making it difficult to complete daily duties. Our occupational therapy center, on the other hand, has the answer to this conundrum.
Chronic shoulder pain is one of the most common reasons new patients contact our licensed occupational and hand therapists each day!
If you’re suffering from shoulder pain and need help, make an appointment with Wise Physical Therapy in Anchorage today. We will be happy to assess your condition and determine the true source of your pain, teach you ways to manage it, and even eliminate your symptoms altogether.
Why is my shoulder hurting?
The average individual does not give their shoulders much thought as they go about their day. Your shoulders, on the other hand, put in a lot of work to assist you execute daily tasks, and if they become strained or injured, you could experience severe shoulder pain.
Some of the most common causes of shoulder pain are as follows:
1. Bursitis
The shoulder is a sophisticated joint with an intricate network of moving parts! One of the most significant elements of the shoulder is the bursa. The bursa is a collection of tiny fluid sacs that help to lubricate the shoulder joint. If the bursa becomes irritated or inflamed, bursitis can develop, and you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
2. Frozen shoulder
Frozen shoulder is most commonly caused by an injury or in combination with another shoulder problem. Most occupational and hand therapists advise patients with frozen shoulder to get plenty of rest in between sessions to avoid developing scar tissue in the shoulder. The muscles surrounding the shoulder may eventually freeze up if scar tissue accumulates around it, reducing your range of motion and treating chronic pain.
3. Tendon ruptures
Tendinitis is a condition that affects the tendons in the body. Tendinitis is a common ailment that causes inflammation in the shoulder area, prompting many people to seek therapy from a therapist.
The tendons in your shoulder may rip due to an acute injury or degenerative disease. Tendons can split or tear due to the natural aging process, unanticipated injury, or abuse. The pain from a partial or complete tendon tear can be intense, requiring multiple visits to a trained occupational or hand therapist.
People who are physically active or work in jobs that require repetitive motions are more likely to have a ruptured tendon. However, you can have tendinitis in your shoulder if you’re a tennis player or a professional painter.
If you have a high risk of tendinitis, remember that in addition to your treatment plan, resting your shoulders daily can help you avoid persistent pain.
4. Shoulder impingement
The top region of the shoulder blade applies excessive pressure on the underlying soft tissues of the arm when the arm is moved away from the body, causing shoulder impingement. The shoulder blade rubs on the tendons and bursa when the arm is raised. If left untreated, an impingement in the shoulder can progress to bursitis and/or tendinitis.
What are the benefits of occupational therapy?
Let’s imagine you have a condition that makes it difficult for you to reach high up on your kitchen shelves. An occupational therapist is trained to find new, safe ways to assist you in doing everyday tasks without jeopardizing your comfort, privacy, or independence.
An occupational therapist may be able to assist you if your shoulder pain has begun to take over your life.
An occupational therapy plan is comprehensive, and it involves an individual evaluation to define your goals and build specific intervention activities to help you better your daily duties and activities. Your occupational therapist will also conduct an outcome review to see if your goals were fulfilled, make adjustments to your treatment plan, or extend your treatment duration.
An occupational therapist’s goal with shoulder pain is to help you regain function and independence that you may have lost or are in danger of losing due to a shoulder injury or pain condition. Your occupational therapist can assist you in doing your daily duties in a more efficient manner.
Overall, occupational therapy is a non-invasive, safe, and effective treatment alternative for musculoskeletal discomfort, sports injuries, and workplace accidents, among other things.
Patients seek the help of an occupational therapist to manage chronic pain symptoms and prevent further harm, and regular visits with an occupational therapist are beneficial to people of all ages!
Call today to request an appointment with one of our skilled OT’s!
If you or a loved one has been suffering from recurrent or long-term shoulder pain, you should see an occupational and hand therapist as soon as possible.
Occupational and hand therapy are non-invasive, holistic treatment methods that benefit people of all ages and levels of activity.
To discover more about how our services can benefit you, contact Wise Physical Therapy in Anchorage now and start your journey to a pain-free life!
