Virtual physical therapy, or virtual PT, can be used to treat a wide range of musculoskeletal issues. This includes helping people with issues that can cause shoulder pain.
Many people deal with shoulder pain every day. It’s estimated that up to 26% of people have shoulder pain at any point in time. A virtual physical therapist can help diagnose the cause of your shoulder pain virtually. These specialists can also educate you about your condition and offer effective treatment options for it.
Three shoulder pain issues virtual physical therapy can help treat
Your virtual physical therapist will take several steps to diagnose your shoulder pain. One of these steps will be to have you do certain movements to test your shoulder mobility and flexibility. Your physical therapist will also ask you questions about shoulder-related tasks you do regularly. In addition, they will ask about the location and level of your pain. Gathering this and other information allows your therapist to pinpoint the precise cause of your shoulder pain.
Three of the issues a therapist is likely to discover in your shoulder include:
- Rotator cuff tendinitis — This condition is the second most common cause of shoulder pain. Your rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that work together to lift your arm. Tendinitis occurs in this structure when the tendons become irritated and inflamed. Pain when raising or lowering your arm is the most common symptom of rotator cuff tendinitis. It can also cause stiffness, weakness and swelling on the front or side of the shoulder.
- Shoulder impingement — A shoulder impingement is the most common cause of shoulder pain in adults. This issue occurs when the rotator cuff muscles or tendons become trapped between two of the shoulder bones. Often, this condition occurs together with either rotator cuff tendinitis or shoulder bursitis.
- Shoulder osteoarthritis — This issue is another common source of shoulder pain. It’s estimated that shoulder osteoarthritis occurs in up to 26% of people, and it is a result of the natural wearing that takes place in shoulder cartilage over time. In most cases, shoulder osteoarthritis leads to symptoms like:
- Pain when lifting or carrying heavy objects or even when your shoulder is still.
- Stiffness that limits the range of activities you can do.
- Popping or crackling sounds when you move your shoulder.
Agile Virtual PT offers effective physical therapy for shoulder pain
Are you looking for a more convenient way to get physical therapy for your shoulder pain? Our team at Agile Virtual PT is ready and willing to help you get convenient and effective therapeutic care. We offer physical therapy through one-on-one, secure video sessions. Our team is made up of experienced and certified physical therapists. These specialists can help you diagnose, treat and prevent your shoulder pain.
Contact our team today for more information about how we can help you with shoulder pain or to schedule an initial appointment.