Have you been living with shoulder pain that wakes you up during the night? Do you find reaching overhead to be difficult and painful? You may be living with shoulder pain that can be resolved with physical therapy.
At Michigan Orthopedic Center, we have the solutions that you are looking for!
Our shoulders are the most flexible and movable joints in the body. The shoulder joint consists of a ball and shallow socket that allows for an impressive range of motion.
This mobility makes the shoulder more susceptible to injuries and pain because it depends on muscles to maintain stability and strength. When these muscles around the joint become weak or injured, the joint mechanics are affected, resulting in inflammation and pain.
Call Michigan Orthopedic Center today to schedule an appointment with one of our physical therapists so we can help you get back to your daily life, free of shoulder pains!
Understanding Your Shoulder
Your shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint, meaning that the humerus (ball) fits perfectly in the corresponding space in the shoulder blade (socket). Each end of the bone is protected by thick cartilage that offers mild support and allows for fluid movement.
The shoulder has the following essential structures:
- The rotator cuff: This is a group of muscles surrounding the shoulder joint providing support and movement through a wide range of motion.
- The bursas: These are small sacs of fluid that cushion and protect the tendons from the bones.
- The labrum: This is the cartilage that helps reinforce the cup that the ball fits into.
Your shoulders can accomplish several physical feats due to their structure — however, this also means that they are at an increased risk of injury. When something becomes damaged in the shoulders, pain and discomfort develop. This pain may range from a dull ache to shooting pains, depending on the severity of the condition.
Common Conditions That Cause Shoulder Pain
Pain from an acute injury can be sudden and intense, making it difficult for you to move your shoulder at all. Pain due to wear and tear or degenerative changes is often more achy and sore.
The most common conditions affecting the shoulder are:
- Strains: A strain occurs when a muscle or tendon is stretched too far or torn. Strains that are not resolved fully can lead to ongoing shoulder pain, making it difficult to partake in exercise or even daily tasks.
- Tendinitis: Tendinitis in the shoulder joint occurs when the joint is injured or overused. This typically happens due to the demands of a sport or labor-intensive job, which can cause the tendons to experience ongoing irritation.
- Cartilage injury: An injury to the cartilage will typically lead to a limited range of motion and may lead to decreased strength in the affected shoulder. Often you will experience pain when moving your arm in specific ways, but not others.
- Arthritis: Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the two most common types of 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 sees the joints as a threat, resulting in pain and inflammation. In both cases, pain and loss of motion are typical.
- Frozen shoulder: Medically referred to as adhesive capsulitis, a frozen shoulder can occur if you have been bedridden or your arm has been in a cast or sling for a while. Unfortunately, it can also happen without an apparent cause. This condition causes tissues to stiffen up and causes this painful condition to occur.
How Physical Therapy Can Help
Rehabilitation should start immediately following most injuries to ensure the fastest recovery possible. A physical therapist with experience treating shoulder pain will thoroughly evaluate the severity of your injury and identify any other limitations affecting your recovery, mobility, stability, or strength.
Our therapists at Michigan Orthopedic Center will create a targeted, individualized care plan to promote accelerated recovery and future injury prevention. Your physical therapist will guide you through a series of exercises designed to help the injury and return to your pre-injury abilities.
We will start with pain management and restoring mobility to the injured shoulder. Next, we will focus on progressing your strength and dynamic stability exercises designed to restore function and prevent injuries. We will also incorporate any appropriate pain relief technique to help ensure you can resume doing all the activities you love.
Call Today to Find Effective Shoulder Pain Relief!
Two of the biggest goals of physical therapy are to alleviate your pain and to improve your function. Your physical therapist will work with you to ensure that both are achieved throughout your physical therapy sessions.
If you are living with shoulder pain, don’t let it limit your life any longer. Call Michigan Orthopedic Center today to find relief once and for all!
Sources: https://www.jospt.org/doi/full/10.2519/jospt.2020.8498, https://www.jospt.org/doi/10.2519/jospt.2015.0110, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2468781218302479, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1283277/
Ready to Find Lasting Relief from Shoulder Pain?
Whether you are struggling with a sudden injury, a stubborn frozen shoulder, or the daily ache of arthritis, you don’t have to just live with the discomfort. At Michigan Orthopedic Center, our expert physical therapists are ready to design a targeted, individualized care plan to relieve your pain, restore your mobility, and rebuild your strength.
Don’t let shoulder pain disrupt your sleep or limit your daily life any longer. Call Michigan Orthopedic Center today to schedule your comprehensive evaluation and take the first step toward getting back to the activities you love!
Exercise of the Month
Prone Arm Reach Back
(Shoulders, Rear Delts)
Lie face down on an exercise table with your upper chest supported and both arms hanging straight down off the sides, holding a light weight in each hand. With palms facing in, slowly raise your arms backward toward your hips in a sweeping motion, keeping them close to your body. Squeeze your shoulder blades together at the top, then lower your arms back down with control. 3 Sets, 10 Reps. (Materials needed: exercise table, light weights)
Recovery In Lansing, Okemos, And Mid-Michigan
See How Patients Have Recovered In Lansing & Okemos
We’ve helped thousands of people in Lansing, Okemos, and the surrounding Mid-Michigan region return to the life they love. From everyday walkers to elite athletes, our patients’ stories are proof that with the right care and support, healing is possible.
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EDUCATION TRAINING HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS Why Patients Choose Tammy Woods, MD
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Tammy A. Woods, MD
Elite Care for Hip and Knee Pain or Injuries
ABOUT DR. GOETHALS
Dr. Josh Goethals is an orthopedic sports medicine surgeon specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of complex knee disorders, shoulder arthroscopy, and hip preservation.
Dr. Goethals completed his medical education at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Following medical school, Dr. Goethals pursued his orthopedic residency at Garden City Hospital, where he gained comprehensive training in the field of orthopedic surgery. To further enhance his expertise, Dr. Goethals completed a sports medicine fellowship at the Detroit Medical Center. This fellowship provided him with specialized training in the latest techniques and advancements in the field of sports medicine.
Dr. Goethals has a particular focus on complex knee disorders, including patellofemoral instability, anterior knee pain, knee ligament injuries, cartilage restoration, and knee preservation techniques such as osteotomy and partial knee replacements. He is well-versed in the latest advancements in knee surgery and utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to provide personalized treatment plans for his patients.
In addition to his expertise in knee disorders, Dr. Goethals is highly skilled in shoulder arthroscopy. He specializes in the treatment of shoulder instability, rotator cuff injuries, and shoulder replacements. Through minimally invasive techniques, he aims to restore shoulder function and alleviate pain, allowing his patients to regain their active lifestyles.
Furthermore, Dr. Goethals is experienced in hip preservation, including hip arthroscopy, labral injuries, and femoral acetabular impingement. He understands the importance of preserving the hip joint and utilizes advanced techniques to address hip conditions, providing his patients with optimal outcomes.
He is skilled in treating disorders of the ankle and elbow related to sports injuries.
Dr. Goethals is committed to staying at the forefront of his field and regularly attends conferences and workshops to expand his knowledge and refine his surgical skills. He is an active member of American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, American Academy of Orthopedics, American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine, and Michigan Orthopedic Society.
EDUCATION
- MEDICAL: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
TRAINING
- ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY RESIDENCY: Garden City Hospital
- ORTHOPEDIC SPORTS MEDICINE FELLOWSHIP: Detroit Medical Center
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
- American Academy of Orthopedics
- American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine
- Michigan Orthopedic Society
HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS
Easy Yogurt & Spice Roasted Salmon
This effortless recipe uses a simple spiced yogurt marinade to keep the salmon perfectly tender and moist while roasting. The combination of turmeric, cumin, and coriander delivers a punch of vibrant Persian-inspired flavors in under 30 minutes, making it an ideal centerpiece for any weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 large side of salmon (about 2 lbs) or 4 individual fillets
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ½ teaspoon paprika (or red pepper flakes for heat)
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Fresh cilantro or dill, roughly chopped, for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat & Prep. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil, and set aside.
Step 2: Make the Marinade. In a small mixing bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika, sea salt, and a few generous grinds of black pepper. Stir until the mixture is completely smooth and well blended.
Step 3: Coat the Salmon. Place the salmon on the prepared baking sheet, skin-side down. Using a spoon or a pastry brush, spread the spiced yogurt mixture evenly over the top and sides of the salmon until it is fully coated.
Step 4: Roast & Serve. Roast in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the salmon is just cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. (Cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of your fish). Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh herbs, and serve immediately with lemon wedges.
