16 Sep How Physical Therapy Can Heal Shoulder Tendonitis

Introduction

Shoulder tendonitis is a common problem that causes pain and stiffness in the shoulder. It often happens when the tendons in your shoulder get overused or irritated. Everyday activities like lifting, reaching, or playing sports can lead to tendonitis. If left untreated, it can get worse over time and limit your ability to move your arm.

Physical therapy is one of the best ways to heal shoulder tendonitis. It helps reduce pain, improve movement, and strengthen the muscles around the shoulder. With the right exercises and treatment, physical therapy can speed up recovery and prevent the problem from coming back.

In this guide, we’ll explain how physical therapy for shoulder tendonitis can help and what you can expect from treatment.

What is Shoulder Tendonitis?

Shoulder tendonitis occurs when the tendons in your shoulder become inflamed or irritated. Tendons are thick cords that connect muscles to bones, and in your shoulder, they are crucial in allowing you to move your arm. When these tendons are overused—through activities like lifting, throwing, or repetitive motions—they can become swollen and painful.

Common causes of shoulder tendonitis include:

• Overuse: Repeating the same motions too often, such as lifting or reaching.
• Injury: A sudden injury, like a fall, can also lead to tendonitis.
• Age: Tendons naturally weaken as we age, making shoulder tendonitis more common in older adults.

The symptoms of shoulder tendonitis can range from mild to severe. They usually include:

• Pain or aching in the shoulder, especially when moving the arm.
• Stiffness in the shoulder, making it hard to lift or reach.
• Weakness in the arm or shoulder.

If not treated, shoulder tendonitis can lead to more severe problems, such as a torn tendon. That’s why it’s important to address the symptoms early with physical therapy.

Why Physical Therapy is Important for Healing

Physical therapy is a safe and effective way to treat shoulder tendonitis without surgery. A physical therapist will create a plan just for you based on your injury and what you need to get better.

Here’s why physical therapy works:

• Reduces pain: Therapy helps calm down the swelling and irritation in your shoulder.
• Restores movement: Therapy includes exercises that help you move your shoulder more easily and with less pain.
• Builds strength: Strengthening the muscles around your shoulder helps protect the tendons from future injuries.

With physical therapy, you can heal faster and get back to doing the things you love without the need for invasive treatments like surgery.

Common Physical Therapy Techniques for Shoulder Tendonitis

Physical therapy uses different techniques to help heal shoulder tendonitis. These methods can reduce pain, improve movement, and make the shoulder stronger.

Here are some common techniques used in physical therapy:

• Stretching and Strengthening Exercises: Your therapist will show you simple stretches to help improve your shoulder’s flexibility. As you heal, you’ll also do exercises to build strength in the muscles around your shoulder. This helps support the tendons and keeps the injury from coming back.

 

• Manual Therapy: This involves your therapist using their hands to gently move and massage your shoulder. Manual therapy helps ease pain, reduces stiffness, and improves blood flow to the injured area, speeding up the healing process.

 

• Heat and Cold Therapy: Applying heat can help relax tight muscles and improve blood flow, while cold therapy can reduce swelling and numb the pain. Your therapist might use both to help with different stages of your recovery.

 

• Ultrasound and Electrical Stimulation: Ultrasound therapy uses sound waves to heal deep tissues, while electrical stimulation sends small pulses to the muscles to reduce pain and swelling. These treatments can speed up your recovery.

 

• Posture and Movement Education: Bad posture or improper movement can make shoulder tendonitis worse. Your therapist will teach you better ways to sit, stand, and move to protect your shoulder and prevent future injuries.

 

Step-by-Step Recovery Process Through Physical Therapy

Recovering from shoulder tendonitis takes time, but physical therapy can guide you through each step of the process. Here’s what you can expect:

• Initial Assessment: Your therapist will examine your shoulder to see how bad the injury is. They will check your range of motion, strength, and pain level to create a plan just for you.

 

• Pain Reduction: At the start, the focus is on reducing pain and swelling. Your therapist may use ice, gentle stretching, and other methods to help you feel better.

 

• Restoring Movement: Once the pain has improved, the therapist will introduce more exercises to help you regain your shoulder’s range of motion. These exercises will start slow and get harder as you improve.

 

• Building Strength: The next step is to strengthen the muscles around your shoulder. This helps support the tendons and prevent future injuries. Strength exercises will focus on the shoulder, arms, and upper back.

 

• Preventing Re-injury: Finally, your therapist will teach you how to move correctly and avoid bad habits that might cause shoulder tendonitis again. They may also recommend exercises you can continue doing at home.

 

Expected Timeline for Recovery with Physical Therapy

The time it takes to recover from shoulder tendonitis depends on how bad the injury is and how well you stick to your therapy plan. Most people start to feel better within 4 to 6 weeks of starting physical therapy. More serious injuries might take a few months.

Factors that can affect recovery time include:

• The severity of the tendonitis
• Your age and overall health
• How consistent you are with doing your exercises

Staying committed to your physical therapy plan will help you recover faster and get back to normal activities.

Preventing Future Tendonitis with Physical Therapy

One of the best things about physical therapy is that it not only helps you heal but also teaches you how to avoid future injuries. By building strength and learning how to move properly, you can prevent shoulder tendonitis from coming back.

Here are some ways physical therapy can help you stay injury-free:

• Continue Strengthening Exercises: Even after you feel better, it’s important to keep doing the exercises your therapist gave you. These exercises keep your shoulder muscles strong and support your tendons.
• Practice Good Posture: Poor posture can put extra stress on your shoulder. Physical therapy helps you learn how to sit and stand correctly so you don’t hurt your shoulder again.
• Warm Up Before Activity: Whether you’re playing sports or lifting something heavy, warming up first is key. Stretching and light exercises can help prevent injury by getting your muscles and tendons ready to work.
• Use Proper Technique: If you do repetitive movements, like in sports or at work, your therapist can teach you the best way to do these activities. Using the right technique helps protect your shoulder from strain.

By following these tips, you can lower your risk of shoulder tendonitis and keep your shoulder healthy and strong.

Conclusion

Physical therapy is an excellent option for healing shoulder tendonitis and preventing future injuries. With the right plan, you can reduce pain, improve movement, and strengthen your shoulder. By sticking with your therapy exercises and learning safe ways to move, you’ll not only recover faster but also protect your shoulder from getting hurt again.

 

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Last Updated on September 16, 2024 by Marie Benz MD FAAD