Although many people in their lifetime experience shoulder pain. The symptoms can vary from person to person but generally include: · Pain in your shoulder and upper arm · Difficulty raising your arm and reaching overhead · Inability to carry objects · Pain and difficulty sleeping when lying on your shoulder There are a lot factors that can contribute to the development of shoulder pain. Often it is not a single factor but rather a combination of the following: · Age · Trauma/injury · Repetitive overhead activities (linked to one’s occupation or sports like swimming/baseball) · Weak muscles or muscle imbalance Some of the most common conditions causing shoulder pain are: · Rotator cuff tendinitis · Rotator cuff tear · Shoulder instability (Shoulder joint being too “loose”) · Frozen shoulder · Impingement (pinching of the shoulder tendon and other tissues) The first step in treating your shoulder pain is getting an accurate diagnosis. This will allow for an effective treatment plan. The physiotherapist will assess you to determine the cause of your shoulder pain and screen out serious pathology that may require medical attention. An in-depth shoulder exam will be carried out to assess your strength, implement special tests to isolate the problem and based on that the physiotherapist will help determine the best treatment plan for your condition. This can consist of: o Exercises to improve your shoulder mobility o Exercises to help strengthen your shoulder o Manual Therapy to increase the movement of your stiff shoulder o Education on activities to reduce or to engage in o Modalities for pain control/relief o Dry Needling/Acupuncture To find out more about how physiotherapy can help with your shoulder pain contact Prestige Physiotherapy 587-386-0094.