Physical Therapy Services
Shoulder Pain
Finding the cause of restricted, painful shoulders.
Shoulder Pain
The shoulder trades stability for range of motion, which is why it is one of the most frequently irritated joints in the body. Pain may come from the rotator cuff, the joint capsule, the shoulder blade and its mechanics, or from the neck referring symptoms down the arm. We assess the whole chain before treating, then build a plan that combines hands-on treatment with the movement work needed to keep the result.
How It Works
How we assess and treat a shoulder
The shoulder is assessed as a chain rather than a single joint. The therapist tests the shoulder itself, the shoulder blade and how it moves on the ribcage, the neck and upper back, and how the arm behaves under load — because pain felt at the shoulder can come from the rotator cuff, the joint capsule, the mechanics of the shoulder blade, or the neck referring symptoms down the arm.
Treatment combines hands-on work with graded movement and strengthening. Which of those leads depends on what limits you: a stiff joint needs different handling from a shoulder that moves freely but cannot control load.
What It Addresses
What shoulder treatment addresses
Shoulder treatment here is used to address presentations like these. What is driving yours is established at the evaluation.
- Pain with overhead reaching, dressing, or lying on the affected side
- Stiffness and restricted range of motion in the shoulder
- Rotator cuff and shoulder blade mechanics identified on examination
- Arm pain that is being investigated as possibly coming from the neck
- Return to lifting, throwing, racket sports, swimming or gym work after a shoulder problem
What to Expect
One-on-one care, built around you
Your care begins with a one-on-one evaluation. Rather than focusing on the symptoms alone, we establish a cause and effect relationship through accurate palpation and assessment of the body, then build a rehabilitation program customized to your individual needs.
- Range of motion measured and recorded, strength tested, and the shoulder blade watched as you move — so there is a baseline to compare against later.
- Assessment of the neck and upper back as part of the shoulder examination.
- Hands-on treatment in the same visit, paired with specific exercise. Which of the two leads depends on whether stiffness or control is the limiting factor.
- A home program you are expected to do, and progressions as your presentation changes. On a shoulder, the exercise component is what holds the hands-on work.
Common Questions
Questions we are asked about Shoulder Pain
- Do I need an MRI before I come in?
- Not necessarily. Many shoulder problems can be assessed by history and examination. If you already have imaging or a specialist report, bring it. If the examination suggests imaging or a physician opinion is warranted, we will tell you.
- Should I rest it or keep using it?
- That depends on what the examination finds, and it is one of the first things your therapist will answer for your specific shoulder. Complete rest and pushing through are both usually the wrong end of the range; the plan sets what to do and what to hold off on.
- Will the exercises make it hurt more?
- Exercise is prescribed at a level you can tolerate, and your therapist will tell you what sensation is expected and what is a reason to stop. If something is doing more than that, stop and tell us at the next visit or call the office.
- What should I wear to the appointment?
- Something that lets the shoulder be seen and moved — a vest, a loose t-shirt, or a top that can be changed out of easily. The therapist needs to watch the shoulder blade move, which is difficult through a fitted or layered top.
- Do I need a referral, and is it covered?
- We accept major insurance providers, but coverage for shoulder treatment varies by plan, and some plans ask for a physician's referral or prescription while others do not. Call (212) 922-0044 before your first visit and we will confirm your coverage and tell you what, if anything, you need to bring.
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