Shoulder impingement syndrome is a condition that is sometimes also called swimmers syndrome. It involves the tendons in the shoulder rubbing against the blade of the shoulder. It’s most often caused by repetitive use, overuse, poor posture, and even old age. 

Research suggests that shoulder impingement syndrome is one of the more common conditions behind shoulder pain. It is responsible for around 44% to 65% of shoulder pain experiences. If you’re one of those experiencing shoulder impingement syndrome, you may be contemplating treatment options. Take a look at the sections below. You’ll not only learn about the condition but also why you should choose physical therapy to treat your shoulder impingement. 

What are the symptoms of shoulder impingement?

It’s important to take a look at the symptoms first. This way, we can get a better understanding of what shoulder impingement is. Take a moment to read through the bulleted list of shoulder impingement symptoms. 

• Pain in the top of your shoulder — One symptom of shoulder impingement is pain that occurs in the top of your shoulder. This pain may not only occur on the top but also toward one side of the shoulder as well. 

• Weakness in your shoulder and arm — Another telltale sign of this condition is weakness in the shoulder or arm. A person might feel that they don’t have the same amount of strength in their shoulder or arm as they are used to. Their affected limb may experience fatigue or trembling when the arm is raised.

• Difficulty using your shoulder to lift objects — It’s also common for patients with shoulder impingement to experience difficulty using their shoulders to lift objects. This might look like pain when lifting a glass of water or when attempting to pick up medium to large size objects. 

• Increased discomfort or pain at night — Someone with shoulder impingement might also experience increased discomfort or pain during the night. They could have trouble sleeping through the night or may experience restlessness. 

• Pain lifting the shoulder and arm above the head — A person dealing with shoulder impingement would probably also experience pain when they lift their shoulder and arm above their head. If they were to perform any overhead movements like raising their hand in class or swimming breaststroke, it would be likely that they would feel a considerable amount of pain. 

What treatment options may be able to help someone with shoulder impingement?

There are a few different treatment options that exist for someone with shoulder impingement. This might look like giving your body time to recover, using anti-inflammatory medications, getting steroid injections, or going to physical therapy. Each method has its own unique set of advantages and disadvantages. Some methods have more advantages than others. The type of treatment method you choose should be the best for your unique situation and your health goals. 

Why should you choose physical therapy for your shoulder impingement?

Physical therapy has an abundance of benefits, especially for those who are dealing with shoulder impingement syndrome. Take a moment to read through some of the general benefits. It’s important to know that physical therapy can offer more advantages than many other treatment alternatives, as well as the best long-term efficacy.

• It can improve the range of motion in your shoulder — One of the first reasons to choose physical therapy for your shoulder impingement syndrome is because it can improve the range of motion in your shoulder. Physical therapists can use intentional exercises to promote the flexibility and mobility of your shoulder. 

• It can decrease the amount of pain you feel — A second reason to choose physical therapy for your shoulder impingement is that it can decrease the extent of pain you might be experiencing. PT can reduce inflammation and long-term pain.

• It provides treatment within your pain threshold — Another reason to consider choosing physical therapy for your shoulder impingement is that your treatment will be provided to you within your personal pain threshold. Physical therapists will always try to provide gentle care that does not cause you excessive amounts of pain. 

• It can reduce or delay the need for surgery — If you haven’t been convinced yet, maybe this will do the trick. PT can delay the need for surgery or do away with it altogether. Some patients experience such significant improvements in their symptoms from PT treatment that they don’t need surgery to do so. 

• It can protect against future injury — There’s one more reason to choose physical therapy to treat shoulder impingement. It’s that PT can protect against future shoulder problems. Physical therapy can teach you the exercises you need to strengthen your body and prevent any future occurrences of injury. 

Franklin Rehabilitation wants to provide physical therapy services for your shoulder impingement

Living with shoulder pain from impingement doesn’t have to be any worse than it already is. Are you ready to take control of your condition? Whether it be acute or chronic, consider making an appointment request today for a free screening with one of our experts. At Franklin Rehabilitation, our physical therapists are specially trained to address the cause of your discomfort to help you take steps toward returning to a comfortable life. We know how to deal with shoulder pain and can help you effectively minimize your symptoms for improved quality of life.

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.