Chronic shoulder pain can stem from many factors. Several issues behind shoulder pain are tendon inflammation such as bursitis or tendonitis, tendon tears, arthritis, fractures, and shoulder dislocations. Although treatment options can vary for each scenario, only 10% of chronic shoulder pain patients will require surgery, the other 90% can be treated successfully with physical therapy instead! Block Chiropractic Sports and Wellness has physical therapy in Smithtown and Selden that can treat your chronic shoulder pain.

In a study published in the August 2014 online edition of Annals of Internal Medicine, it was discovered that a steroid test group needed more steroid injections than the physical therapy test group required additional PT sessions.  The 104 patients involved in this study were divided into two groups; one that received a maximum of 3 corticosteroid injections (CSIs) of 40 mg triamcinolone acetonide and the other was given physical therapy for twice a week for three weeks to treat their shoulder pain. In addition to this, the CSI group was provided with their injections a month apart and the physical therapy group was also prescribed home exercises that they could do. The ages of the patients in this study ranged from 18 to 65.

After one year of the study, the researchers used a number of factors such as the shoulder pain and disability scores to determine any progress in the patients. They determined that both groups improved by 50% in the shoulder pain and disability scores. One significant difference between the groups was that 60% of the CSI group returned to their physician as opposed to 37% of the physical therapy group.

While both treatments produced positive results, physical therapy was the more effective option and by far. By choosing physical therapy to treat your shoulder pain, you can recover from your ailments while avoiding the negative side effects of opioid-based treatment.

Before beginning a treatment plan catered to your symptoms and goals, a physical therapist will meet with you for an evaluation. He or she will ask when the pain started and the frequency at which it is heightened. With this in mind, your physical therapist will perform tests to determine the specific source of your pain as well as your range of motion. After this, you will begin your rehabilitation program. Your physical therapist may also recommend exercises you can do at home.

If you are suffering from shoulder pain and are in the Suffolk County area, Block Chiropractic Sports and Wellness can benefit you! We have an experienced staff ready to help you today.