Best Physiotherapy Treatments for Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints that affects people of all ages and activity levels. While this condition varies in intensity, it can interfere with even the simplest daily activities, from getting dressed to lifting groceries or working at a computer. Shoulder pain restricts the range of motion of your arms and, subsequently, your physical function. Over time, the pain affects you emotionally, reducing your overall quality of life. 

Physiotherapy offers an effective, non-surgical approach that can manage and relieve shoulder pain. Physiotherapists in Edmonton offer non-invasive techniques, such as targeted exercises, manual therapy, and other evidence-based modalities to address the root cause of pain while improving joint mobility, muscle strength, and overall function. Even after recovery, physiotherapy can prevent future injury and pain by correcting movement patterns and optimising posture. Therefore, this article will explore the best physiotherapy treatments at Vira Physiotherapy for shoulder pain.

Best Physiotherapy Treatments for Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain physiotherapy often combines several non-invasive treatment methods, including hands-on techniques, targeted exercises, and lifestyle adjustments. The following are some of the best physiotherapy treatments for shoulder pain in Edmonton, AB:

Manual Therapy

This is a physiotherapy technique that involves the application of a hands-on treatment approach to address musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. This physiotherapy treatment uses skilled hand movements to improve joint function and relieve pain by releasing tension in surrounding muscles, improving circulation, loosening tight connective tissues, reducing stiffness, and restoring the normal range of motion. 

Therapeutic Exercises

These refer to activities and movements that physiotherapists design and prescribe to relieve pain, restore physical function, and enhance overall wellbeing. Therapeutic exercises focus on rebuilding strength, flexibility, and control in the shoulder joint. If you are undergoing shoulder pain physiotherapy, your physiotherapist may prescribe strengthening exercises to improve shoulder joint stability, stretching routines to help restore balance and reduce strain, and range-of-motion drills to ensure the joints can move freely. 

Posture Training & Ergonomic Advice

Poor posture places unnecessary stress on the shoulder joint, leading to severe shoulder pain. Therefore, this must be corrected to relieve shoulder pain. Physiotherapists may employ scapular positioning training to teach you proper shoulder blade alignment and movement, improving mechanics and reducing pain. In addition, your physiotherapist may recommend workplace or desk adjustments to limit strain during long hours of sitting, and make some modifications to your daily habits, such as adjusting sleeping positions or using correct lifting techniques.

Taping and Bracing

These physiotherapy treatments offer external support during recovery. Kinesiology taping can support injured shoulder muscles and joints without restricting movement, reducing strain during daily activities. If one of the causes of your shoulder pain is shoulder instability, bracing can provide extra stability, especially after surgery or repeated dislocations.

Heat and Cold Therapy

This is considered a modality that can be used alongside other physiotherapy treatments. Temperature-based treatments can be highly effective for managing shoulder pain. Ice packs during cold therapy can help control swelling and inflammation after acute injuries, while heat packs may encourage blood flow, reduce muscle stiffness, and promote relaxation in chronic conditions.

Electrotherapy

This is another modality that may be used to complement other non-invasive physiotherapy techniques. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation uses low-voltage electrical currents technology to promote healing and manage discomfort. These currents help to block pain signals from reaching the brain, providing short-term relief from shoulder pain.

Shockwave Therapy

This treatment option is suitable for cases of chronic pain. Shockwave therapy uses high-energy sound waves to trigger tissue repair and dissolve calcific deposits. This treatment method is effective for people suffering from conditions like calcific tendinitis and chronic rotator cuff issues, causing shoulder pain.

Education and Self-Management

In addition to passive and active treatments, physiotherapists also provide education to ensure that you take control of your recovery during shoulder pain treatments. Your physiotherapist may also design home exercise programs to ensure that you can progress in recovery even outside the clinic. 

These and many more are some of the most effective physiotherapy treatments that you may experience in your personalized treatment plan during shoulder injury treatment in Edmonton. These treatment techniques ensure that you get immediate pain relief while strengthening your shoulder muscles to protect them from future injury.

Conclusion

Shoulder pain can significantly disrupt your daily life and reduce your overall quality of life. However, it is possible to recover and come back stronger than you used to be. To achieve this, you should consider undergoing shoulder pain physiotherapy at Vira Physiotherapy.