Shoulders & Arms
Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain can stop you from reaching, lifting and sleeping. Physical therapy for shoulder pain in Commack, NY at Sunshine Physical Therapy works out which structure is hurting, then restores motion and strength with hands-on care and a targeted exercise plan.
What is going on in your shoulder
Most shoulder problems fall into a few families.
Rotator cuff tendinitis and rotator cuff tear
The rotator cuff is the group of tendons that steadies the shoulder. It can become irritated, or it can tear after an injury or years of wear. Many tears improve with physical therapy.
Impingement and shoulder bursitis
When tendons or the bursa get pinched under the bone at the top of the shoulder, lifting the arm hurts. This is called shoulder impingement.
Frozen shoulder
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) makes the joint painful and stiff. It moves through stages, and the plan changes with each stage.
Instability, dislocation and labral tears
A dislocated shoulder or a labral tear (including SLAP tears) can leave the joint feeling loose or catchy. Strength and control training matter here.
Pain at night, or when you cannot lift your arm
Shoulder pain at night is common with rotator cuff problems, and it often means the joint is irritated. If you find you can’t lift my arm overhead, or pain stops you at a certain height, tell us. It points us toward the structure involved.
Sometimes shoulder pain is coming from the neck; see neck pain. If the pain runs into the elbow, read elbow pain.
How physical therapy helps
Hands-on care
Manual therapy and joint mobilization to restore motion.
Strength and control
Rotator cuff strengthening and scapular stabilization, so the shoulder blade supports the arm.
A plan for your life
Work, sport and sleep position changes that take pressure off the joint.
When surgery makes sense
Some injuries need surgery, and a physical therapist can tell you when to ask a surgeon. If you do have surgery, rehabilitation follows the surgeon’s protocol; see post-surgical rehab. Shoulder pain from wear is also discussed on arthritis and joint pain, and throwing or overhead athletes can read sports injury rehab.
Next step
Shoulder care in Commack
Sunshine Physical Therapy is locally owned and operated at 297 Commack Rd in Commack, NY. We are accepting new patients and offer telehealth appointments.
We see patients in Commack, New York.