04/18/2021
Shoulder impingement is a common cause of shoulder pain. Shoulder impingement syndrome is a painful condition of the upper extremity resulting from a structural narrowing of the subacromial space. Shoulder impingement syndrome occurs as the result of chronic, repeated compression of the rotator cuff tendons. These include the long head of the biceps tendon, the bursa, or the ligaments in the shoulder. This impingement causes pain and movement problems. An injury to the shoulder also can cause this condition.
People with shoulder impingement syndrome may experience:
• Restricted shoulder motion with weakness in movements such as reaching overhead, behind the body, or out to the side.
• Shoulder pain when moving the arm overhead, out to the side, and beside the body.
• Pain and discomfort when attempting to sleep on the involved side.
• Pain with throwing motions and other dynamic overhead movements.
Physical therapy can successfully treat shoulder impingement syndrome. Your physical therapist will work with you to devise a treatment plan that is specific to your condition and goals. Your personalized treatment program may include:
• Patient education. Your physical therapist will educate you about your condition. They will work with you to identify any external factors causing your pain. They may recommend changes to the type and amount of exercises you perform, your athletic activities, and your home or work activities. They will develop a personalized exercise program to help ensure a pain-free return to your desired activities.
• Range-of-motion exercise. The mobility of the shoulder joint and scapula can be limited. This causes increased stress to various structures. Your condition may be forcing the shoulder to work at a disadvantage. Your physical therapist may teach you self-stretching techniques to decrease tension and help restore normal motion of the shoulder region and arm function.
• Manual therapy. Your physical therapist may treat your condition using “hands-on” treatments (manual therapy) to gently move your muscles and joints. These techniques help improve motion. They also may be used to guide the region into a less stressful movement pattern.
• Muscle strengthening. Muscle weaknesses or imbalances can contribute to impingement of the shoulder joint as the scapula deviates due to weakness. Based on the level of your injury, your physical therapist will design a safe, personalized, progressive resistance program for you. Your physical therapist will choose what exercises are right for you, based on your age and physical condition. Your plan may include using resistance machines at the clinic. Your physical therapist also will determine if going to a gym is appropriate.
Contact us at North Wake Physical Therapy to schedule your one-on-one evaluation. (919) 551-4142
