Shoulder pain can range from a minor annoyance to a debilitating problem. Some shoulder pain comes on immediately (associated with an injury) and some comes on slowly over time without a clear cause. While ChatGPT, Google, and Reddit have their place, it’s safe to say that trying to self-diagnose and treat shoulder pain via the internet has its pitfalls and a fair amount of misinformation and conflicting advice. Shoulder pain myths can cause people to avoid movement altogether, overdo exercises, or rush into injections or surgery. 

The good news is that conservative care, specifically skilled physical therapy, can be successful in alleviating shoulder pain by improving strength, mobility, and healthy movement patterns of the shoulder. 

In this blog series, we will explore some common myths about shoulder pain and look at the reality.

Shoulder Pain Myth #1: If I’m having shoulder pain, I should stop using my arm and rest it completely.”

Although total rest may seem helpful, it can backfire if shoulder activity is avoided for too long. The problem then worsens, and pain and stiffness can increase. When you stop using the shoulder, the muscles around the joint get weaker and the joint can become stiffer. These changes can cause even more pain and functional limitations over time.

In reality, in most cases of shoulder pain, it is better to use smart activity, rather than total activity avoidance. Smart movement or activity includes avoiding movements that flare up pain. Stay active within a comfortable range of motion. Use specific exercises to improve strength and range of motion. Your physical therapist can help you achieve the right balance of protecting inflamed tissues while keeping the shoulder and surrounding muscles as strong and flexible as possible. 

We would love to help you address your shoulder pain. Please call or text us at (423) 228-8120 if you have any questions or would like to set up an evaluation.

Elite Muscle Recovery

See what others are saying: Google Reviews