Shoulder pain and stiffness as well as shoulder injuries are common among both athletes and people who live active lifestyles from all walks of life. These types of injuries can be relatively minor or can be so severe that they require surgery.

Because these types of injuries do not necessarily have symptoms that in the immediate allow for obvious diagnosis, it is best to seek medical attention as soon as you are aware that you are having a problem. Allowing a problem to persist can lead to long term or even permanent damage to your shoulder. For an athlete this can be life altering and can seriously damage your earning potential in the future if you are a professional.

Common Causes of shoulder pain in athletes include:

• Shoulder dislocations
• Rotator cuff tendonitis
• Acromioclavicular joint injuries
• Rotator cuff tears
• Labral and superior labral anteroposterior tears
• Fractures
• Arthritis
• Thrower’s shoulder
• Swimmer’s shoulder
• Rugby shoulder

Dislocated Shoulder

A dislocated shoulder can have many causes which may be either traumatic or non-traumatic. When it comes to sports injuries dislocated shoulders most often come from some type of collision or fall, and this can be very painful. Once the joint is worked back into place, you will need to support it with a sling and ice and rest the shoulder for a while. It is usually recommended that you see a physical therapist. If you are an athlete trying to return to sport you will want to make sure that you seek out the best physical therapy for shoulder injuries in order to make sure that you return in top shape. It is also important to understand that once you have had this type of injury you will be more prone to it happening again in the future.

Rotator Cuff Tears and Rotator Cuff Tendonitis

Rotator cuff tears as well as rotator cuff tendonitis are injuries to the shoulder that include:

• Subacromial impingement
• Bursitis
• Impingement syndrome
• Supraspinatus tendonitis

The rotator cuff creates stability and range of movement for the shoulder. Injuries to the rotator cuff can be very painful. Untreated rotator cuff injuries can lead to weakness and loss of range of motion in the shoulder joint. Significant rotator cuff injuries may require surgery. Physical therapy is usually needed to recover fully from these injuries and surgeries.

Labral Tears and Superior Labral Anteroposterior (SLAP) Tears

Labral tears also destabilize the shoulder and are usually the result of a fall or a direct collision. These types of tears can also develop in athletes who do a lot of throwing, tackling or heavy lifting of weight. Surgery followed by physical therapy is often necessary to recover completely from these injuries.

Best Physical Therapy for Shoulder Injuries

Almost all significant shoulder injuries and surgeries will require physical therapy. If you are leading an active lifestyle or are involved in sports, you will want to make sure that you have access to the best physical therapy for shoulder injuries. Having effective physical therapy after you have a shoulder injury or shoulder surgery can make all the difference in how well and how fast you are able to recover and return to your normal active lifestyle.

It is also very important to understand that once a shoulder has been injured it can be injured again more easily. A knowledgeable physical therapist will be able to provide the best physical therapy for shoulder injuries and teach you exercises that will help prevent future injuries to your shoulder.

Physical Therapist for Shoulder Injuries When Pitching

If you are a pitcher, any type of shoulder injury is going to be very significant. It is of the utmost importance that as soon as you experience pain or have a problem with your shoulder that you seek medical help. Allowing the injury to linger will only hurt your chances of a favorable outcome.

As a pitcher you will want to seek out the help of a physical therapist for shoulder injuries when pitching. A physical therapist who understands your needs as an athlete will help you get back in the game quicker and will help you pace your recovery better. If you are a pitcher and need a physical therapist for shoulder injuries when pitching, consider Petro skiPhysio. They have great individualized care and are there to get you back into the game right away and better than ever!

If you need a physical therapist for shoulder injuries when pitching, visit Petro ski Physiotherapy and Performance online or in person at 12285 McNulty RD. Philadelphia, PA, 19154 or call (215) 576-4796.