FAQ Shoulder Pain Physiotherapy Vancouver

Is physiotherapy good for shoulder pain?

Physiotherapy assessment will allow your physiotherapist to pinpoint the source of your shoulder pain. You might be suffering because of: Weakness of the rotatorcuff and shoulder muscles. Damage to the bones and cartilage which can be caused by arthritis.

How should you sleep if your shoulder hurts?

Place the pillow in the underarm area of your painful shoulder. You'll need a pillow under your head to keep your upper body in proper alignment. This helps keep your shoulder as comfortable as possible. Consider adding a small rolled up towel under the neck area for extra support.

What exercises help with shoulder pain?

Exercises to Relieve Shoulder Pain: Arm-across-Chest Stretch – Hold your right hand out in front of you keeping it near your waist. ... Neck Release – Sit up straight then slowly bring your chin toward your chest until you feel the stretch in the back of your neck.

Does physio help rotator cuff injury?

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that stabilize the shoulder and allow it to move. ... Tear: A less common injury a rotator cuff tear occurs when a rotator cuff tendon or muscle is torn. Most tears will not require surgery.

How do I know if I tore my rotator cuff in my shoulder?

The pain associated with a rotator cuff injury may: Be described as a dull ache deep in the shoulder. Disturb sleep particularly if you lie on the affected shoulder. Make it difficult to comb your hair or reach behind your back. Be accompanied by arm weakness.

How do you fix a trapped nerve in your shoulder?

Managing a pinched nerve in the shoulder: Apply cloth-covered ice packs to the neck and shoulder blade area over a period of up to 48 hours after the pain began. ... Sleep with a pillow designed to support the neck. ... Take anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving medications.

Why does shoulder pain get worse at night?

The most common cause of night pain in your shoulder is due to a process we call rotator cuff tendinosis and shoulder bursitis. ... During the day the weight of the arm and gravity help to increase the space in your shoulder to reduce pressure and compression on the bursa and rotator cuff tendons.

How do you relieve rotator cuff pain at night?

Give these positions a try: Sit in a reclined position. You may find sleeping in a reclined position more comfortable than lying flat on your back. ... Lie flat on your back with your injured arm propped up with a pillow. Using a pillow may help reduce stress and pressure on your injured side. Lie on your uninjured side.

How do I relieve rotator cuff pain?

If you think you've injured your rotator cuff try these steps: Rest your shoulder. Stop doing what caused the pain and try to avoid painful movements. ... Apply ice and heat. Putting ice on your shoulder helps reduce inflammation and pain. ... Take pain relievers.

What happens if you don't repair a torn rotator cuff?

If you have symptoms that don't get better after 3 to 6 months you may need surgery. You may want to think about surgery if you have torn your rotator cuff in a sudden injury and the tear is causing shoulder weakness. But surgery can't fully reverse problems that occur over time with wear and tear of the rotator cuff.

What causes shoulder pain that radiates down the arm?

Cervical radiculopathy commonly called a pinched nerve occurs when a nerve in the neck is compressed or irritated where it branches away from the spinal cord. This may cause pain that radiates into the shoulder as well as muscle weakness and numbness that travels down the arm and into the hand.

How long does it take for your rotator cuff to heal?

Approximately six months. The best results occur when the tear is fresh rather than older tear. Most rotator cuff repairs take approximately six months of rehabilitation to regain as full as possible range of motion shoulder strength and function.

How long does it take for an inflamed rotator cuff to heal?

Two to four weeks The minimum time for recovery from rotator cuff tendinitis or a small tear is two to four weeks. Stubborn cases can take several months. Early on the aim is to reduce swelling and inflammation of the tendons and relieve compression in the subacromial space.

What happens if rotator cuff is not repaired?

If the rotator cuff tear is very large (a massive rotator cuff tear) and has been present for a long time there is a chance that surgical repair is not possible.

Is shoulder pain a sign of cancer?

Lung cancer or mesothelioma may be disguised as shoulder pain. ... That said it's important to note that shoulder pain is not a lung cancer telltale. In addition in people with lung cancer the shoulder pain may be the result of their disease or instead due to another cause such as arthritis.

When should I go to the ER for shoulder pain?

When to see a doctor: Shoulder pain accompanied by difficulty breathing or a sense of tightness in the chest may be a symptom of a heart attack and requires immediate medical attention.

How painful is a torn rotator cuff?

The most common symptoms of a rotator cuff tear include: Pain at rest and at night particularly if lying on the affected shoulder. Pain when lifting and lowering your arm or with specific movements. ... Crepitus or crackling sensation when moving your shoulder in certain positions.

Can a pinched nerve go away on its own?

Most cases of pinched nerves go away on their own. If the pain continues to worsen, seek medical attention to prevent nerve damage.

What are the symptoms of nerve damage in the shoulder?

These are some of the more common symptoms of compressed nerves: Pain in the area of compression such as the neck or low back. Radiating pain such as sciatica or radicular pain. Numbness or tingling. Pins and needles or a burning sensation. Weakness especially with certain activities.

How can I stop my shoulders from hurting at night?

Sleeping on the opposite shoulder can help avoid this pain but try not to sleep on your back. If the pain persists you can always trying wrapping your arm or wearing a sling to assist in preventing movement during sleep. Sleeping with a pillow under your knees can help alleviate any associated back pain.

Why does my shoulder hurt when I lay on my side?

Some doctors discourage side sleeping because it can cause damage to the rotator cuff of your shoulder. Side sleepers place a lot of pressure on this group of tendons so they need a pillow with good support. ... Of course you can always sleep on your good side to alleviate shoulder pain but old habits are hard to break.

Why does rotator cuff injury hurt more at night?

Night pain in your shoulder is almost always because of an issue with your rotator cuff. The most common cause of night pain in your shoulder is due to a process we call rotator cuff tendinosis. ... In addition recent sports injuries or overuse injuries to the rotator cuff will also cause significant pain at night.

How long should you sleep in a recliner after shoulder surgery?

If you don't have a recliner you can use pillows on the couch or in bed. You can even purchase a 45 degree wedge online or at your nearest medical supply store. Typically shoulder patients have to sleep at an incline for 4 to 6 weeks after surgery.

What does it feel like when you have a torn rotator cuff?

Typically you will feel pain in the front of your shoulder that radiates down the side of your arm. ... If the tear occurs with injury you may experience acute pain a snapping sensation and immediate weakness of the arm. 

Is it bad to sleep with your arms above your head?

No. If you can breathe well during sleep this may be the best sleep position. The body may be more fully supported by the mattress and pillow.

What is the home remedy for shoulder pain?

Cold compresses can help reduce swelling in the shoulder. Cooling also helps to numb sharp pain. Apply an ice pack for up to 20 minutes up to five times a day. Use a frozen gel pack, ice cubes in a plastic bag, or a bag of frozen peas.

What exercises for rotator cuff injury?

Hold a light dumbbell in the injured side's hand and keeping your elbow against your side slowly raise the dumbbell toward the ceiling. Stop rotating your arm if you feel strain. Hold the dumbbell up for a few seconds before returning to the start position with your arm down.

How do I know if I tore my rotator cuff?

The pain associated with a rotator cuff injury may: Be described as a dull ache deep in the shoulder. Disturb sleep particularly if you lie on the affected shoulder. Make it difficult to comb your hair or reach behind your back. Be accompanied by arm weakness.

Do all rotator cuff tears need surgery?

Surgery Isn't Always Needed for Rotator Cuff Tears. Surgery is a common treatment for a rotator cuff tear but it is the rare exception that a rotator cuff tear requires surgery. ... Those people who do have shoulder pain resulting from a torn rotator cuff can often find relief with without a surgical treatment.