Shoulder Pain Relief Wasilla & Anchorage, AK

Shoulder Pain Relief

Jennifer G.

Thank you Justin, Jessica and the rest of the Empower staff for giving me the exercises and tools to succeed in reintroducing my pre-injury routine and activities! I’m excited to continually gain in strength. Look forward to actively rock climbing again.

Allen B.

Great people to work with. Professionalism in their approach to using therapy with patients. I would recommend Empower PT to my friends and family. Thank you!

Caralynn F.

Rotator cuff surgery is not painful until you take off the splint and then the work begins. Surgeons should let people know about the recovery expectations once the splint is removed. Physical therapy is recommended and daily exercises at home including the pulley is required for a more successful outcome of the surgery. Pain is part of the recovery process. When the surgeon says tears are part of the healing process - they were right.

Lori D.

Super amazing experience. The therapists are skilled and knowledgeable. Great education to continue my exercises at home for life! Dry needling seemed to speed up my healing and I am completely satisfied with my recovery.

Kris G.

I had my doubts that physical therapy could address the pain and weakness caused by the labral tear in my shoulder, but I was happily surprised! Under the guidance of a professional staff and a specific PT regime, I was feeling great and golfing in 6 wks. I highly recommend Empower!

The Truth About Shoulder Pain: How to Find Relief Fast

Shoulder pain can take many forms – it can show up when you’re reaching toward the top shelf to put dishes away or when you’re struggling to find a comfortable position to sleep in without feeling a dull aching pain in your shoulder and neck. It can show up as a result of an injury, making you feel as if your shoulder is immobile. There are numerous reasons why someone may experience shoulder pain, and the severity can range from the temporary discomfort of a pulled muscle to the agonizing bone-on-bone friction of arthritis. Whatever the case may be, Empower Physical Therapy is dedicated to offering you natural pain management modalities.

Why do I have shoulder pain?

Your shoulder is capable of accomplishing many physical feats, and has the greatest range of all the joints in your body. However, with its complexities also comes the possibilities of pain and discomfort. It is a “ball-and-socket” joint, meaning the head of the upper arm bone, or “humerus,” fits perfectly in the corresponding space within the shoulder blade, or “scapula.” The ends of the bone are protected by a thick layer of cartilage, protecting the bones from rubbing together. Fluid-filled sacs called “bursae” also protect the tendons from rubbing against the bones. Tendons attach the bones in the shoulder to a set of bones, known as the rotator cuff. If something goes wrong with the intricacies that make up the mechanical interplay of the shoulder, pain can result.

The type of pain you feel in your shoulder can vary, depending on what is causing it. Pain from impingement, for example, typically occurs as you raise your arm up, and begins at a certain point in the range of motion. Pain resulting from a degenerated shoulder may create persistent aches every time you move your arm in certain directions. Acute injuries can result in sudden and intense pains that make it impossible for you to move your shoulder at all.

What is causing my shoulder pain?

The complexities of the shoulder joint presents many opportunities for pain-causing conditions. Some of the most common causes of shoulder pain include:

  • Impingement. Impingement typically occurs because of abnormal movement and tracking of the humeral head as you lift your arm overhead. Pain typically occurs when lifting your arm at or above 90 degrees.
  • Rotator cuff tear. The rotator cuff is comprised of 4 muscles, tendons, and soft tissue that surround the shoulder joint. The job of the rotator cuff is to correctly guide the movement of the shoulder joint. With injury, overuse, poor posture, or even age, the rotator cuff can be partially or completely torn. Depending on the severity and situation, sometimes surgery is needed, but often the correct physical therapy treatments can help reduce pain and restore strength to the rotator cuff to compensate for the partial tear. If surgery is needed, physical therapy is an integral part of the rehabilitation to a full recovery.
  • Tendinitis. Tendinitis occurs when the shoulder joint is excessively overused typically due to the demands of a laborious job, overhead activity, or sport. Furthermore, poor posture is a major contributor, as this alters the normal forces on the tendons, and can set you up for tendon injury. This causes the tendons to undergo ongoing inflammation, resulting in swelling and painful impingement when raising your arm.
  • Frozen shoulder. Also known as “adhesive capsulitis,” frozen shoulder can occur if your arm has been in a case or sling for a while, or if you have been bedridden for an extended period of time. Furthermore, there are some ethnicities that are more predisposed, and women tend to have more instances than men. It is more common in women in the 40-60 years of age. Frozen shoulder results in a painful loss of motion in the shoulder with a tightening of the shoulder joint that severely limits motion.
  • Arthritis. The two main forms of arthritis that affect the shoulder are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage in the shoulder joint experiences significant “wear and tear,” typically due to age or excessive overuse. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the immune system decides to attack the membranes surrounding the shoulder joint, resulting in pain and inflammation. Both of these result in painful loss of motion, weakness to the shoulder muscles, and difficulty performing normal, daily tasks.

Don’t let your shoulder pain limit your physical abilities any longer! Our Wasilla and Anchorage, Alaska physical therapy practice will get you the help you need to start living your normal life once again. Contact Empower Physical Therapy today to make an appointment or free consult with one of our specialists in Wasilla & Anchorage, AK and get started on your path toward pain-relief.